The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the support of the FCT Administration for the actualization of the mandate of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) towards building a better nation through its intensive training programmes.
The Minister stated this when he received a delegation from NIPSS led by the Director General, Professor Ayo Chris Omotayo, on a courtesy visit to the administration.
Malam Bello, who expressed his appreciation for the support the FCTA has enjoyed from NIPSS, said that the training received by the staff of the Administration has impacted positively on FCTA.
He said: “We want to convey our appreciation to the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies for the very robust engagements we have had with you over the last many years, particularly during my last tenure and second tenure. Every year, unfailingly, we have had slots for the FCT, usually as a matter of standard practice every year, the Presidency allocates one slot to the FCT. Last year, by the grace of God, you graciously added one slot.
“All these have really added value to the work we do because each time they come back, they get elevated in the hierarchy and they also clearly show that they went to KURU, that’s NIPSS. Obviously, at that vantage position, they are able to influence and control policy. That’s the idea of why very highly qualified men and women are sent to NIPSS and I can tell you that we are very appreciative.”
The Minister assured his guests of the continuous support of the FCTA while also calling on the management of NIPSS to expand the scope of their curriculum to include work on specific projects identified by each course to find lasting solutions to issues raised.
Malam Bello said: “I assure you that government is a continuum. Even after the end of my tenure, I assure you that the relationship between the FCT Administration and NIPSS will continue to grow. And we also will appreciate as we try to translate policy into action, we will appreciate you on specific issues that many of your ALUMNI here have written on. Which we hope will go beyond reports and try to see it as part of the curriculum.
“NIPSS members, even though they are so choked up there in Jos as well as the tours that you do abroad and within Nigeria, but sometimes it’s good if a core team of ALUMNI are assigned specific project after the course, even after they get the yellow badge… so that you put them in a very core team to take a particular topic or a particular project and look at it in depth.”
The Minister thanked his guests for the visit and wished them a successful tour of duty while praying for their elevation to the highest possible positions in their careers.
Earlier, the NIPSS DG, Prof Omotayo had commended the Minister for the great strides made in the development of the FCT under his watch.
He described the FCT as a “quantum of growth,” adding that Nigeria has successfully built a different capital other than the one left by the colonial masters, urging the Minister and his team not to relent in efforts to build a capital that will serve the nation.
Present at the meeting were, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Directors, Human Resources Management, Department of Development Control, Security Services and Administration and Finance, office of the Minister, Malam Bashir Muhammad mni, Tpl Muktar Galadima mni, Malam Adamu Gwary mni and Mrs. Nancy Nathan mni as well as other senior staff of the Administration and some executive members of the NIPSS.
