Polytechnic students in Nigeria under the aegis of the National Association of Polytechnic Students have protested the alleged diversion of N20 billion Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) Intervention Fund.
The students who besieged the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja as well as the Ministry of Trade and Investment on Wednesday with protest letters, placards, and banners, expressed disappointment over what they called ‘zero impact’ of the Institute.
Led by its President, Muniru Opeyemi, the protesters believe technical students from polytechnics should have been the biggest beneficiaries of the initiative.
Titled ‘Petition on allegation of Diversion of 20BN Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria CTIN Intervention Fund,’ the petition partly reads: “It is on this note we are calling on Economics and Financial Crime Commission to as a matter of urgency commence probe the Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria under the leadership of Aliko Dangote.
“The incumbent Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR have undoubted demonstrated commitment to transform education, improve wellbeing of Nigeria students, staff and infrastructure in education sector so as made life easier for all citizens.
“Our findings have reveal the inimical act of some cooperate bodies, the like of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria CTIN under the leadership of Alh. Aliko Dangote who is certainly owing Nigeria Technological Students and by extension Nigeria Nigerian Youth a whopping sum of 20BN, a cement importation levies primarily meant for Technical training and development of opportunities for young Nigerians in cement industry according to the CTIN establishment goal”.
According to him, the alleged misuse of funds, intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youth in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN, “information at our disposal reveal the funds have been squandered, leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams”.
Opeyemi, therefore, called on the anti-graft agency to investigate the matter.
