The managing director of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC), Abbas Masanawa, has resigned from his post to pursue his ambition for governor.
He said the resignation complied with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that all those seeking elective office must resign on or before May 16.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that Mr. Masanawa, who is one of the contenders for Governor of Katsina State, purchased and submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms.
Mr. Buhari, through the Office of the Secretary to the Federation Government, ordered all ministers and political appointees competing for various elective posts to resign their appointments on or before May 16.
Responding to questions from House of Representatives correspondents in Abuja on Monday, Masanawa said he had adhered to the president’s directive and said he submitted his resignation letter through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Office.
He said: “Absolutely, I have fully complied with the presidential directive. And I resigned my appointment as Managing Director and CEO of Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting.
“I submitted my resignation through the chairman of the board, who is also the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”
When asked if he had personally informed Mr. Buhari of his intentions, he said: “Yes, through my immediate boss, who is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The governor of the central bank is the chairman of the board of security, printing and coinage of Nigeria.”
Masanawa, who was evaluated by the All Progressive Congressional Governors Committee on Saturday, expressed hope that he would emerge victorious in the APC governors verification exercise and in the upcoming 2023 general election.
Speaking about his achievements at the Mint, Masanawa said he met a moribund company that was almost dead but was able to deliver all three of Buhari’s mandates 100 percent, including achieving zero import of the country’s coins.
“Our mandate was to see how we can reposition the Mint towards four key mandates. Number one, to improve profit generation. The company was making huge losses before we took over.
“Secondly, improving Nigeria’s minting, printing and security production capacity because when we took over, more than 50 percent of Nigerian currency was printed off Nigerian shores.
“And our main mandate was to make sure that we achieve zero import of currency, that is, printing our currency in Nigeria.
”Thirdly, improve the well-being of our staff, because human capital is the most important asset of any organization. So if people aren’t happy, they can’t do their best.
“So these were the core mandates that we were given. And without being modest, we have complied almost 100% with all those mandates.
“As I speak, I can beat my chest and say that 100 percent of Nigeria’s currency is held by Nigeria Security, Printing and Minting. That is the first time since 2014.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Buhari met behind closed doors with Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
When approached by House of Representatives correspondents, Masari declined to comment on the outcome of his meeting with the president.
(YAYA)