The appointment of Professor Mohammed Kabir Yakubu as the Director General (DG), Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST) by President Mohammadu Buhari is a welcome development.
The appointment comes at a right time when the Institute demands or requires a capable and experienced hand to drive its mandate for research and national development. The Nigerian Institute of Leather Science and Technology is an agency of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
It is a tertiary training and research institute which specialises in manufacturing, processing and production of leather and allied products using science technology. The institute facilitates and increases the revenue from the raw materials and industrial research sector of the nation. The Institute has five departments working harmoniously towards achieving its primary objectives.
The activities of NILEST comprise several functions like enrolling interested candidates or applicants into the institute to offer specialised courses, attending lectures and seminars, engage in science and leather research and getting more enlightened in the field and so on.
The impacts made by NILEST in the leather industry cannot be overemphasized. It can be seen in its mandate that encapsulates capacity development, conduct of research on leather and technology, provision of global competitive and environmentally friendly technologies, quality control on leather products, among others.
The leather industry is one of the vibrant sectors in the national economy development thereby contributing enormously to the gross domestic product (GDP). Leather is a commodity that can be used in the production of wide range of material such as footwear, upholstery, fashion design, automobile and other leather product industries, among others.
The new helmsman, MK Yakubu, is a professor of textile science and technology with an in-depth and extensive research in textile industry which shares similar problems and prospects with the leather industry. He was born on July 12,1964, in Koko, Koko/Besse of Kebbi state.
He attended primary and secondary school in his home town before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he had his first degree in textile science and technology in 1987.
He did his masters and PhD at ABU, Zaria. Professor Yakubu began his career at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto from 1988 to 1993. He moved his service to Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Prof Mk was also in Bayero University, Kano for his sabbatical leave. He went to the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 2009.
Professor Yakubu is fully armed with relevant qualifications and experience spanning over a decade which will be used to leap-frog NILEST to greater heights. He will explore, work and collaborate with many agencies towards training and provision of wide range of leather products. NILEST, under Professor Yakubu, will witness new scientific innovation based on research and development. Sir, as you assume office, i wish you Allah’s guidance to develop and transform the institute to the best of your ability.
Ibrahim Mustapha,Pambegua, Kaduna state08169056963
