The vice president, Senator Kashim Shettima, has tasked scholars and policymakers to delve deep into the complexities of the blue economy, to understand its challenges and opportunities, and to develop strategies that promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
Senator Shettima highlighted that through research, dialogue, and collaboration, Nigeria can unlock the full potential of oceans and ensure a prosperous future for generations to come.
Represented by the Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Mrs. Josephine Piyo, at the induction of the participants for Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State, on Monday, the vice president reminded both the institute and its participants of the critical importance of sustainable development and the preservation of oceans and marine resources.
According to him, the blue economy represents a vast and untapped potential for economic growth, innovation, and environmental conservation.
Said he, “It encompasses a wide range of activities, from fisheries and aquaculture to marine tourism and renewable energy. By harnessing the resources of our oceans responsibly and sustainably, we will create new opportunities for prosperity while safeguarding the health of our marine ecosystems.
“This induction marks the beginning of a rigorous academic inquiry, thoughtful analysis, and informed policy recommendations. It is a testament to our nation’s commitment to excellence and dedication to shaping a better Nigeria through knowledge and expertise”.
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He therefore urged the participants to approach the study topic:” Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities” with curiosity, passion, and a sense of purpose and engage in meaningful discussions and strive for innovative solutions that will drive positive change in the country.
In his opening address, the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, said in the past years, the Institute has carried out research and intervention in various areas of human endeavours, adding that it has, at different times, come up with different types of policy briefs to help the Nigerian government to grow.
Professor Omotayo, who said that there is no problem that Nigeria has faced in the past that the National Institute has not researched into, added that what Nigerians, especially the policymakers, need to do is to go into the institute’s archives to see the depths of the work that has been done in that regard.
“Those who have come before you have contributed to the body of what we have in the national institute, even though we know that most of those works may not be easily available to the Nigerian public. But since I became the Director-General, we have been making efforts to ensure that we make all those reports available online, and therefore since 2023 we have been digitalising the records of the past 46 years.
“I think it is a very expensive process, and I think I can announce for us that we are going halfway, and very soon we will be putting online the records of achievements in terms of IRP panel reports and policy briefs that the institute and those who have come here have done in the past 46 years.
“When those records are available, I believe that the public will come to understand and appreciate the hard work that everybody that has been through has put in to ensure that we sustain ourselves as Nigerians may just be the foremost think tank.” he said.
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