President Bola Tinubu has explained that he lowered the admission requirements into the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, to tap into the research outcomes of younger officers who have more years of service ahead of them.

Hitherto, only directors in state and federal establishments, commissioners of police, and top-ranking military officers were selected to attend courses at the National Institute.

But the federal government lowered the requirements so that all deputy directors and deputy commissioners of police could also benefit from this privilege.

However, speaking at the graduation of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State, on Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima said that it made no sense to allow officers who have less than six months to retire to attend the course while leaving out those who have more years to contribute to national development.

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his approval to address a situation in which the majority of those sent for the course were nearing retirement age.

“I wish to note the decision to allow Deputy Commissioners of Police to be admitted into NIPSS, enabling the Force to derive maximum benefit from the knowledge acquired here. You will have noticed their significant presence, and on their behalf, I extend words of gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this forward-looking decision.”

The Vice President told the graduands to put the product of their research into productive ventures as Nigeria is the hope of the black people.

He said that Nigeria must be made to work because the failure of Nigeria is the failure of the black race.

On the theme of Senior Executive Course 47, “Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” the Vice-President said it captured the reality that development, security, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion are inseparable.

He added that the strength of the work lies not only in its academic depth but also in the graduands’ insistence that policy must be practical, implementable, and firmly grounded in Nigerian realities.

He commended the graduands for their sustained and rigorous inquiries into the maritime domain and said that their research made it clear that securing Nigeria’s waterways, coastlines, and inland communities goes far beyond safety alone, adding that it speaks to livelihoods, food security, environmental protection, and national cohesion.

“When young people have productive work, when communities trust the state, and when institutions coordinate effectively, insecurity loses its foothold,” he declared.

The Vice President, who assured that the President Tinubu-led administration places the highest premium on evidence-based policymaking, disclosed that the President has directed the relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to give the reports and recommendations of the graduands the close attention they deserve, both for immediate application and for long-term strategic planning.

He expressed optimism that if the recommendations are fully embraced and implemented, they will be nothing short of a game-changer for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. “Your work will continue to receive attention in the coming weeks, and I am confident it will prove invaluable to policymakers and practitioners alike.”

The Vice President, who advised the graduands to be focused, stated that Nigerians expected them to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation, to provide honest feedback on implementation, and to drive institutional reform across all sectors, especially security, governance, and development.

“So, you are therefore expected to rise above routine administration and become agents of transformation. Wherever you serve, you must bring with you the discipline, objectivity, and national outlook that NIPSS has instilled in you,” the Vice President advised.

Director-General of the Institute, Professor Ayo Omotayo, in his welcome address, said that with the backing of the federal government, NIPSS has continued to grow and promote policy formulation as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and strengthen national prosperity.

Omotayo said that through partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, courses on anti-corruption were introduced, adding that these efforts reflected the federal government’s priority in strengthening the integrity system, enhancing accountability, and rebuilding public trust. (The Sun)

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