The FG also gave the NIPSS N600mn to offset its debts.
Vice President Namadi Sambo said that Nigeria needed to rescue itself from the dangerous strong-hold of weak institutional frameworks by strengthening the system.
A statement by Aliyu Othman, Special Adviser, Media, to the Minister of Education on Saturday, said Mr. Sambo made the observation at the inauguration of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Course 35.
The statement stated that Mr. Sambo was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i. It said Mr. Sambo called on the course participants to work towards strengthening institutional frameworks that would guarantee the nation’s transformation.
It stated that the issue of strengthening institutional frameworks and the transformation agenda were vital to government’s development blueprint.
“Nigeria must rescue itself from the dangerous strong-hold of weak institutional frameworks by strengthening the institutions in our own interest.
“The government had enunciated several policies in the past to address the weak institutional frameworks but this is the time to re-examine our realities.
“We need to reflect hard and fast on options, draw correct lessons from other nations and arrive at viable options for Nigeria’s future transformation,’’ it said.
The statement said Mr. Sambo called on the participants to live up to the expectations of Nigerians and the government as the task ahead was urgent and should begin now.
It added that government was awaiting their recommendations, given their mandate and the protection enjoyed by the policy of non-attribution. It said government was aware of NIPSS management’s efforts towards reinvigorating the institute and reiterated the determination to address the challenges.
According to the statement, the Federal Government has released N600 million to enable the NIPSS to offset its debt overhang.
The statement also said that the government was committed to approving the enhanced salary structure and allowances of NIPSS workers to be at par with Nigeria’s universities’ salary package.
It also said there would be increased budgetary allocation for training and linkages with other strategic institutions, home and abroad , to address the infrastructure gap in the institute.
It said the gesture would enable the institute to compete favourably with similar institutions globally.
The Director-General of the institute, Professor Tijjani Bande, said 65 participants were inaugurated for the course.
He assured the participants that the institute would prepare them for national duties towards attaining its goals and objectives.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the participants were drawn from the security, federal and state government agencies and the private sector.
(NAN)
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