Proffer solutions to Nigeria’s problems, Buhari charges NIPSS

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State to “re-focus and be a do-tank and not just a think-tank” for the nation.

The president, who gave the advice on Saturday at the graduation of Senior Executive Course 41, 2019 of NIPSS said, the institute, as foremost think-tank, should start solving the country’s challenges.

“It is here, over the years, that major policy issues have originated, debated or proffered, by bringing together some of the brightest and best Nigerian minds from the armed and non-armed services, business, labour and other professions to think through policy ideas and options.

“NIPSS affirms the eminently correct notion that our country is strong because of its tremendous human capital and diversity.

“But NIPSS must now think ahead about how to resolve the Achilles’ heel of our governments in Nigeria, which is implementation of policies. The future is filled with incredible opportunities, if we can think, plan, innovate and implement,” he said.

Buhari, who was represented by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, said that technology would fundamentally determine the future of Nigeria and, indeed, our world, if fully embraced, adding that technology revolution, accurately described as the fourth industrial revolution, was a game-changer in all facets of human development.

The president, who stated that there was no question that minute by minute, every aspect of life was being transformed by technology, added that there was need to constantly interrogate the country’s position in the technology story.

Buhari further said that there was need to determine what was needed to be done to leverage on technology to leapfrog in the development journey.

NIPSS Director-General, Professor Habu Galadima, said that Senior Executive Course was the flagship training programme of the institute, adding that the course was aimed at expanding the outlook and perspective of participants and to stretch their conceptual capacity and quality of discernment and analysis.

He explained that participants toured 12 states in Nigeria, six African countries and six countries outside Africa.

He added that visiting key strategic institutions in the country was relevant to the theme before they would make their recommendations.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau said the state government placed high premium on the health sector leading to the establishment of the state Health Insurance Scheme.

He said the government had always created conducive atmosphere for the participants to study.

His counterpart from Borno, Babagana Zulum, an alumnus of the institute, appealed to NIPSS management to leverage on the values and training of the institute to promote peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.