Gov.Simon Lalong of Plateau has assured the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru that the State Government will assist it in addressing some of its challenges.
Lalong gave the assurance on Thursday in Jos when he received the Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Habu Galadima, on a courtesy call.
“We are honoured to have NIPSS in Plateau and we are also aware of the challenges of the place because we see them.
“We have taken note of them and I want to assure you that the ones that you have assigned me to do, I will do it.
“I will go and dust my files to see which ones I must approve immediately and the ones I will handle thereafter,” he said.
The governor said the state had a partnership with NIPSS that was thriving.
He, however, requested for more than one slot that was allotted to the state in the senior executive course.
He said that one slot was becoming too small for the state.
Lalong said that the state was making good use of the sound research from NIPSS.
“I told Vice President Yemi Osibanjo when we were having a meeting, we were talking about community policing and ranching.
“When I was making my input, he asked, where did you get this from, I told him that you have forgotten that NIPSS is in Plateau,” he said.
Lalong congratulated the new director-general on his appointment and assured him of the state government’s support.
Galadima thanked the state government for its support to NIPSS over the years.
“We feel that for your second mandate and as Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum, we believe that there is a lot that can be done for the National Institute.
“NIPSS is the apex institute of this country, a think tank for the nation but has not been given its pride of place.
“Even institutions of lower standing, the past and present Presidents use to attend but the President has not visited the institute.
“We pray that you will help us bring the President this time around,” he appealed.
He reminded the governor that the institute had requested for additional 200 hectares of land and appealed to him to consider the request.
According to the director-general, the institute was under-performing due to lack of space as it admits only 66 participants.
