In a bid to maintain the professional integrity of the National Productivity Centre NPC, a coalition for change has made an appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The coalition emphasizes the importance of ensuring that successive Directors General of the center are individuals who have risen through the ranks and possess the necessary expertise.
In a statement released on Sunday, the coalition’s secretary, Laide Ganiyu, expressed concerns over the removal of the current Director General, Dr Raji Mustapha. Ganiyu urged President Tinubu to reverse this decision promptly, highlighting the significance of having competent leaders at the forefront of advancing productivity in the country.
Ganiyu further emphasized that historically, the Director General of the National Productivity Centre NPC has been selected based on merit and not as a result of political patronage.
“The current Director General, Dr Raji Mustapha, began his journey at the center as an assistant productivity officer almost three decades ago and has diligently worked his way up to the position of DG in May 2023, following the expiration of his predecessor’s tenure.”
Former Minister of Labour, Senator Dr Chris Ngige, had properly briefed former President Buhari before Dr Raji Mustapha’s appointment and subsequent ratification. It is essential for President Tinubu to uphold the vision of a productive society, which the current leadership has been championing.”
The coalition warns against the potential consequences of allowing political appointees who lack an understanding of the intricacies of a productivity-focused society to lead an institution responsible for training both private and public organizations.
“It is crucial to differentiate between the core quasi-political public offices and the successive leadership positions within the agency. President Tinubu is urged to review this appointment and rectify it accordingly, in order to preserve the center’s status as a core training ground.”
