Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has charged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to continue to promote national peace, stability and inclusiveness for the overall development of the country.

Governor Dickson stated this on Tuesday when he received the executive and members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) led by former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, at Government House, Yenagoa.

His Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that it was imperative to proffer solutions to the problems that Nigeria is currently grappling with.

He also expressed confidence that if all Nigerians work collectively with sincerity of purpose, a cohesive, stable and peaceful Nigeria can be achieved.

His words: “We need to find solutions to the challenges that our nation currently faces; the challenge of building a unified national vision and agenda. The challenge of promoting stability, peace and inclusiveness so we can all build a Nigeria for all. That Nigeria must be built by all of us and we can do it.”

The governor applauded the NIPSS and its alumni body for putting up a resource base for their strategic efforts at peace and nation building.

He called on the federal, state and local authorities to tap into the contributions of the institute.

“Let me convey the appreciation of the state to the institute for the wonderful contributions that it continues to make in the country but more specifically in building human capacity for our people.

“We have had some alumni of this institute becoming Heads of Service of this state, about nine of them so far. I have not missed any opportunity to identify prospective Heads of Service to attend the national institute.

“The institute is one of the most important public institutions in this country. This is not only for networking, which is also another important dimension. But you have to know about your country, be in a position to build bridges, fostering understanding, promoting unity and building peace, stability and development as well as promoting prosperity in our lands,” Dickson said.

In his remarks, the AANI President, Mohammed Abubakar, commended Governor Dickson’s developmental strides, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and security.

Abubakar, who also commended the governor for identifying men and women of proven integrity and capacity, said it was the responsibility of the institute to nurture and build their capacity towards adding value to society.

“You have done so much for this state and I was happy when I saw in the programme that we were going to look at some projects that you have done. I know that it will give us an opportunity to assess what you have done and we will compare and contrast with what you met on ground and what you are going to leave behind,” he said.

•Photo shows Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson (left), with former Inspector-General of Police and President, Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, during the courtesy visit of the AANI EXCO and members to Government House, Yenagoa.

AbdulRazaq tours Kwara Government facilities, laments rot

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on Tuesday, said he had embarked on statewide visit of various government facilities to fully appreciate the extent of the rot in the system.

AbdulRazaq said the rots were so much and needed proper planning spanning multiple budget years to fix.

“I have come to see things for myself. We have always known that the rot is unimaginable. But it is important that I see things for myself,” he told reporters during his visit to the magistrate court at Sango in Ilorin, the state capital, which had long collapsed.

“I have seen things for myself and I have asked the Chief Judge (and his team) to raise a memo, stating what the problems are and what we can do to solve them in short and long term.”

AbdulRazaq said he would ensure that the judiciary is given the support it needed to function as an independent arm of government.

Chief Judge of the State Suleiman Kawu told the Governor he had long prepared a report detailing the problems faced in the sector, especially the decrepit state of the facilities and lack of any modern courtrooms.

“I will soon forward the report to you and I trust that you will do your best to address the problems,” he said when the Governor visited his office.

AbdulRazaq also visited the Shariah Court of Appeal on Ahmadu Bello Way and Customary Court at Centre Igboro.

•Photo shows Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, going round the decrepit customary/magistrate court building during his impromptu visit to courtrooms and facilities in Ilorin, the state capital, on Tuesday.