Nigeria Witnessing Momentous Changes Under President Tinubu – DG NILDS

The Director General of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman has observed that Nigeria is witnessing momentous changes under the leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu particularly in the economic domain.

Sulaiman stated this in his opening remarks at a retreat programme held for management staff of the institute in Ilorin, the Kwara State Capital, North Central Nigeria.

The Director General, a Former Minister of National Planning added that the National Assembly under the leadership of the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, has also started work in earnest.

He stated that “for these changes to be impactful and achieved the desired outcomes, the strategic partnership between the executive and legislative arms of government must be deepened.”

Sulaiman said the rationale for the retreat was the need for periodic stocktaking and to be deliberate and intentional in charting a course for the future.

 

“We at NILDS must therefore understand the nature of the fundamental changes and be in a good position to provide the necessary support to the National Assembly and other democratic institutions in line with our statutory role,” he added.

He explained further that for the institute to achieve its statutory responsibilities and achieve strategic goals, the staff and particularly the management of NILDS must be properly equipped and be up to speed with current realities and also be able to properly interpret unfolding events.

According to him, the retreat will among other things, seek to:

Reflect on the statutory role of NILDS;

Evaluate the performance of NILDS within the context of its strategic plan and identify gaps that need to be filled, understand the environment and context within which NILDS operates and as well chart a path for the future.

Sulaiman reminded the NILDS management staff of the institute’s strategic work plan (2020-2024) which seeks to strengthen the operations of the institute.

According to him, as the nation begins a new administration in the country and commences a new legislative season, the management of the institute must rededicate themselves to the entrenchment of democratic principles and practices by providing world-class services to the democratic institutions in Nigeria. 

He added that they must always remember that the products that the institute offers are for the deepening of democratic values and our clients are the institutions of democracy in Nigeria. 

Sulaiman, therefore, charged the participants to provide good-quality products and offer high-quality client service.

Later in an interview with newsmen, he disclosed that Nigeria cannot afford to fail its citizenry in its over two decades old democratic evolution.

Suleiman said the pessimism expressed by apologists about the survival of democracy in the country should be perceived as a  motivation to consolidate the gains recorded and not a setback.

With 24 years of uninterrupted democracy, the NILDS Director General observed that the country has proved its critics wrong.

He noted further that democracy is not akin to the Western world but customized and domiciled according to people’s environment, pointing out that Nigeria has its own brand of democratic system.

Sulaiman admitted the attendant shortcomings of the nation’s democracy but insisted that they are not sufficient reasons to vilify its democracy.

“Divergent opinion and view is allowed in any clime. And for the so-called apologists of democracy worldwide who believe that Nigeria cannot survive with its democracy, we don’t need to look outside, we don’t need to entertain fear because we can’t afford to fail our people.

“We have started democracy in almost 24 years now. When we first started, people never thought we would get to where we are now. For some people to have this kind of phobia, and pessimism and say Nigeria cannot survive, be it in the area of security, political system, it is for us as a people to put that one behind us and see that perhaps as something that could ginger us to move forward. That we have done in the last 24 years. 

“We are not perfect as a democracy, we have our shortcomings and inadequacies here and there, but those things are not substantial enough for anybody to condemn the country as a democracy. I think we have done so much and I hope with the new government and with our democratic credentials, we stand a chance to do better, going forward.

“I’m not disturbed by the pessimism of the apologists of the Western world. Democracy is not akin to the Western world. It is customized and domiciled in your own environment. So, we have our own brand of democracy. To the best of my knowledge, I think we have been able to do it. We have done so much and we can still do so much”, the NILDS boss said.

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega who was a resource person presented a paper at the retreat and regretted that Nigeria parades leaders but is in short supply of good leaders.

The theme of the three-day retreat  is “RETHINKING NILDS FOR ENHANCED SERVICE DELIVERY”

 

 

 

N.O