Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has urged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, to make practicable its research to enhance National Development.
Mutfwang gave the charge, when he received the management of the institute on a courtesy visit yesterday, in Jos.
The governor, who noted that because of the various academic works being undertaken by the NIPSS, there was need for such materials to be harnessed and utilised for the common good of the state and the country.
He charged the institute to remain resolute in maintaining its academic excellence.
“I have had personal periods of engagement with some of the participants at NIPSS, and I know that the quality of training there is of great value to national development.
“I therefore want to urge you to continue to maintain the highest standards of academic excellence in research, we want to also see how some of the researches you have done over the years can be of importance and help to us.
“We therefore would want to leverage on some of the studies you have conducted in the past beyond theory, and see how we can practicalise some of these findings you have come up with over the years.
“We believe that a constructive engagement with NIPPS would help us to improve because at the moment, there is no training institution on the plateau that adequately trains our civil servants,” he said.
The governor, who reiterated the importance of the state benefitting from the institute as its host, urged the management to consider helping the state revamp its civil service through trainings.
“Let me make this passionate plea, since we are the host, we will be making this plea that at least an extra consideration be given to Plateau State for the Senior Executive Course, let’s have the portion of the host, we shouldn’t be getting everything equal with everybody.
“We need to see a lot of our own people come out, not just with the badge, we want to see them actually benefit from being equipped at NIPSS.
“There is no gain saying that the civil service is the engine room of government, and if it is not functioning well, then certainly government cannot function well.
“So we will be coming very soon to request a Needs Assessment of our Civil Services, on what we need to do to reposition it for the future,” he said
Mutfwang also called on the leadership of the Institute to inform the state of any employment opportunities available in the school, to help its teeming youth population gain employment.
While expressing regrets over the security challenges confronting the institute, Mutfwang pledged to take urgent steps to tackle the situation.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, the Director General (DG) of the Institute, reaffirmed his allegiance and support to the growth and development of the state, assuring the governor of his unalloyed cooperation in moving the state forward.
Omotayo also appealed to the governor to assist in the settling the land dispute between NIPSS and the natives, which had lingered for too long.
“I thank you for this opportunity to come see you, we believe this will be the beginning of a new partnership that will be mutually beneficial, both to the National Institute, and to the people of Plateau State.
“I want to reiterate sir, I have personal interest, that while I am D-G, every of the indices by which you measure development, changes for the positive when it comes to Plateau State
“I told myself that this time when I see the governor, I will let him know that as NIPPS, we are not asking for money, we are not asking for anything, but that we offer our self and service to the state.
“At NIPPS we have the expertise, we can extend the goodwill of our domain partners to support the governmental efforts of Mr Governor in the state.
“As regards the contention over the land we occupy, as a person, I always feel saddened that if it is indeed true that they were not compensated many years back.
“Somehow, someway, we should find a way to bring justice to them” Omotayo said.
