VP Osinbajo At Virtual Inauguration Ceremony Of Senior Executive Course 43 Of NIPSS On 01/03/2021

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ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PROFESSOR YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE INAUGURATION OF THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE COURSE, NOS, 43, 2021, OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES, KURU, ON MONDAY 1st MARCH, 2021

PROTOCOLS

I am delighted to be with you today at this inauguration ceremony. But may I begin by commiserating with the Management and Staff of the National Institute and the entire NIPSS family, over the sad loss of Professor Habu Galadima, Director General of the Institute until his death on the 20th of December 2020.

Prof Galadima was a passionate advocate for the transformation of the Institute and he spent the last part of his illustrious academic career in that noble enterprise.

I also bring you warm felicitations of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, who I have the honour of representing at this occasion.

I warmly congratulate all the new participants comprising Senior Executive Course, No. 43, 2021, for emerging successfully from the very competitive selection process.

The NIPSS Senior Executive Course is structured to equip you for strategic leadership and critical thinking in support of our national socio-economic aspirations.

NIPSS is our nation foremost policy think-tank. Through the years NIPSS has engaged some of the most difficult public policy questions from the challenges of our political economy, to population and poverty, to climate change, public health, electoral reform to human capacity development. The interlocutors of these engagements were and are our Nation’s brightest and best minds from the private sector, the public service, the military, year after year, cohort after cohort. This year it is the turn of Executive Course 43, to make your contribution.

Anyone who passes through this institution belongs to a magic circle of Nigerian thought leaders and public intellectuals. But with this privilege comes enormous responsibility. It is that of realizing that from this day, the task of finding solutions to our national and social problems that could affect the trajectory of the lives of millions, has been placed upon your shoulders. But not just while you are here at the Institute, but more so when you attain the distinction of Member of the National Institute, MNI. We are confident that you will discharge this responsibility creditably.

This year’s theme, “Getting Things Done: Strategies for the Implementation of Policies and Programmes in Nigeria” goes to the heart of what is generally considered the bane of development in Nigeria, poor implementation. The proverbial gap between intention and results, between policy and stated outcomes, delivering on campaign promises or even just doing what the well-articulated policy papers say.

For many serious-minded policymakers, the frustration is the same, yes, we know all about think-tanks but what we need now are do-tanks.

So, your task is already well cut out for you. Perhaps course 43 will be able to unlock the mystery of failed or poorly implemented policies and projects, but more importantly, provide a practical, nitty-gritty guide to implementing projects and policies. This is a body of knowledge that is desperately needed today.

I must appreciate the hard work and commitment of the faculty, staff and the illustrious Alumni of the National Institute. Your responsiveness to critical national issues through policy briefs, policy advice and other strategic interventions is exemplary. Government is aware that the Institute faces problems in terms of resources and inadequate accommodation for staff and participants alike.

While Government will continue to do its best to support the National Institute, I should stress that budgetary provisions alone, will always be limited given competing needs. It is therefore imperative for NIPSS to be even more pro-active and creative in seeking alternative sources of funding.

We must also profoundly appreciate the Government and people of Plateau State, especially the governor, the Right Honourable Simon Lalong, for their longstanding hospitality and support to the National Institute, which has helped to provide a conducive environment for learning.

Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests, it is now my pleasure to formally inaugurate the Senior Executive Course No. 43, 2021 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

I wish you God’s abiding grace and protection throughout the duration of the course and do have a pleasant and rewarding stay at NIPSS.

Thank you and God bless you.