- Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, at the NIPSS e-learning centre during the institute’s Senior Executive Course 44 graduation
By Anthony Nwachukwu
Beyond its resilience and consistency in policy matters so far, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) should follow global trends and beat the best think-tank among world policy institutes in evolving best ideas, new techniques, skills and policies, among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, gave the charge during the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course No 44, 2022 at NIPSS in Kuru, Plateau State.
Buhari, who commended NIPSS “for being resiliently consistent” and “producing very excellent results even in the face of stiff challenges,” however, reminded the institute “of the other aspects of your mandate, which is to evolve ideas, new techniques, skills, policies, and new directions to guide policy making at the highest level.
“In other words, you need to follow the global dynamics in policies and guide the nation on the application of global best practices,” according to a statement from the minister’s media team.
“I use the opportunity to challenge the National Institute to strive to be at par or even surpass the best think-tank among policy institutes in the world. We will do our best in supporting you to fulfil this charge and other mandates.”
He noted NIPSS’ historic role in people’s lives and its potentials to do better for the nation as the national policy think-tank, adding that the graduation attests to the consistency its stands for.
“This is an integral aspect of the dreams of the founding fathers of the institute. It is also an assignment in which the institute has never failed no matter the challenges, not even in the era of Covid-19.”
He further described NIPSS as a strong and dependable ally of the government, stating that its effort at engaging the best brains on critical national issues has not gone unnoticed, just as its submissions on the issues have also prove very useful in resolving many issues.
“At this juncture, let me place on record that this administration, like the ones before it, find in NIPSS a strong and dependable ally,” he added.
“Your submissions on course themes every year has either evolved a new policy addressing a major national issue or resulted to a review of existing policies to accommodate current realities.
“We look your way in determining solutions to several issues as well as your recommendations in charting specific paths to achieving these solutions.
“I urge you to come up with more innovations, be more committed and remain focused on your mission of a better society.”
Buhari further assured of government’s continued support to NIPSS towards achieving sustainable development as a nation, stating that “as a responsible and responsive government, our foremost desire is to provide good governance at both national and sub-national levels.
“Our very strong desire is for all government interventions to cascade to the local levels, including permeating all strata of society.
“This informed the choice of the course theme for this year. It underscores our trust in you as a strong ally in our efforts towards sustainable development as a nation.
“To achieve this, we gave you the best as participants to be groomed and guided by your world class faculty members and facilities.”
He urged the graduands to sustain the level of seriousness with which they handled the course themes, as they are of great importance to government, adding: “The activities and your experiences through the duration of the course must have impacted positively on you.
“I am delighted to know that you are leaving the National Institute with a better understanding of our great country and better knowledge of issues and problem-solving skills to enable you take on more responsibilities and perform optimally at your duty posts in the interest of our nation.
“Having invested so much in you, the nation expects you to bring to bear the novel ideas you have acquired from Kuru.
“I assure you that the findings and recommendations contained in your report will be promptly attended to and applied by my government and those to come after me for the good of our dear country.”
The minister later commissioned the nursery/primary school and e-learning centre donated by the graduands to the children of the NIPSS staff and the Kuru community, as well as a weather centre established by the graduands in collaboration with the NIMET.
