Tension In National Space Research And Development Agency  As Two Lay Claim To Acting DG’s Position

Yakubu Busari

There has been tension and apprehension in the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) since the announcement of Dr. Halilu Shaba Ahmad as the acting Director-General by an unknown source.

According to the undisclosed source, Dr. Ahmad has been in an acting capacity of the agency following the expiration of the two-term tenure of Professor Seidu Mohammed in June 2020.

This has caused apprehension in the agency as Dr. Francis Chizea Dubem reacted that he is the acting Director-General of the agency following the expiration of Mr. Jonathan Angulu who was acting as the DG.

He claimed that he was issued a letter dated 15th May 2020 through the ministry of science and technology by the permanent secretary.

A group from the Northcentral called the Northcentral Emancipation group in a statement signed by the leader of the group Barr Liasu Mohammed on Tuesday has called on Dr. Francis Chizea Dubem to stop impersonating as acting Director-General of the agency.

Members of the staff of the agency are caught between the two actors laying claim to the leadership of the agency as this has caused distrust and also affecting the day-to-day running of the agency.

More so, this development has also faulted the presidency for not handling the crisis fairly. Dr. Shaba, who is bragging around that he is now under the chief of staff to the president, Prof. Gambari to have him appointed at all cost, irrespective of the due process in appointing the Director-General of the Agency.