Group cautions FG on privatisation of NACETEM

A GROUP, Ife Youth Vanguard, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to review the decision to privatise National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), saying implementation of the decision would be a slap on Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

      The group in a release by its Chairman, Comrade Oladimeji Tajudeen, explained that NACETEM which was located in the premises of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, was established to play a leading role in the build-up of expertise for effective management of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), and to actively engage in policy research, design, evaluation and review for sustainable development.

        The group also warned that if Orosanye report is implemented and NACETEM is privatised, it would affect the economy of the state as over 250 staffs would be rendered jobless.

  According to the group, “more than 250 Nigerians will likely be rendered jobless and their dependants thrown into avoidable anguish despite Mr president’s promise of creating jobs for Nigerians if re-elected.

   “We see this proposed privatisation as a slap on the face of our highly respected royal father, the Ooni of Ife.

    “If Mr President’s Transformation Agenda is real, NACETEM must be removed from the list of agencies to be privatised.

     “We the entire youth of Ile-Ife, under the auspices of Ife Youth Vanguard, hereby demand an immediate review of the position of the federal government on the issue of funding the agency in order for it to regain its place of pride in the efforts towards national development driven by science, technology and innovation as seen in other nations of the world,” it stated.