By A. M. Nasiru.
The member representing Ankpa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rep Ibrahim Abdullahi Halims led the House of Representatives’ debate on the general principle of the bill for an act to amend the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) establishment act.
While leading the debate during plenary on Thursday, Rep. Halims urged the federal lawmakers to give the bill their overwhelming support for the amendment of section two, six and ten of the NIPSS act CAP51 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to ensure reduction of the board and make provisions for the removal of members of the board.
Furthermore, the amendment bill which is a private member bill sponsored by Halims seeks to give the board the power to approve additional directors as well as expand the borrowing powers of the institute, in conformity with other existing legislations.
The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (also called The National Institute) was established by Decree number 20 of 1979, now Cap N-51 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and aims to be one of the top three think-tanks in Africa by the Year 2025.
The National Institute, amongst other things: Conducts courses for top-level policymakers and executors drawn from different sectors of the country, with a view to expanding their outlook and perspectives with a mission “to serve as the centre for policy, advocacy, advice and training for Nigeria, West Africa and Africa in the context of a dynamic and changing world.
It is worthy of note that the role of the National Institute is not limited to the training of high level policy makers and executors. As the nation’s topmost policy think-tank, the Institute, through its Directorate of Research, makes direct and regular contributions to the National Policy Process in terms of initiating and evaluating various policy initiatives and strategies.
