Headlines
Buhari challenges NIPSS graduants to justify government investments in the institute

President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has charged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to surpass the best think-tank amongst policy Institutes in the world.
The President made the charge during the graduation ceremony of the Senior Executive Course No 44, 2022 at NIPSS, Kuru, Plateau State.
The President,who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said he was delighted to be at the ceremony because of the historic role the national policy think-tank has played in people’s lives and the potential it has to do better for the nation.
The President revealed that he was particularly impressed as the graduation loudly attests to the consistency that NIPSS stands for.
“This is an integral aspect of the dreams of the founding fathers of the Institute. It is also an assignment in which the Institute has never failed no matter the challenges, not even in the era of COVID-19.
“While I congratulate the Institute for being resiliently consistent, I also wish to remind the Institute of the other aspects of your mandate, which is to evolve ideas, new techniques, skills, policies, and new directions to guide policymaking at the highest level.
“In other words, you need to follow the global dynamics in policies and guide the nation on the application of global best practices.
“I use the opportunity offered by this special occasion to challenge the National Institute to strive to be at par or even surpass the best think-tank amongst policy Institutes in the world.
The President commended NIPSS and described the Institute as a strong and dependable ally of the government.
He said NIPSS’ effort at engaging the best brains on critical national issues hasn’t gone unnoticed just like its submissions on the issues have also proved to be very useful in resolving many issues.
“At this juncture, let me place on record that this administration, like the ones before it, find in NIPSS a strong and dependable ally.
“Your submissions on course themes every year have either evolved a new policy addressing a major national issue or resulted in a review of existing policies to accommodate current realities.
“We look your way in determining solutions to several issues as well as your recommendations in charting specific paths to achieving these solutions.
Buhari further gave assurances that the government will continue to support NIPSS towards achieving sustainable development as a nation.
“As a responsible and responsive government, our foremost desire is to provide good governance at both the national and sub-national levels.
“Our very strong desire is for all government interventions to cascade to the local levels including permeating all strata of society.
“This informed the choice of the course theme for this year. It underscores our trust in you as a strong ally in our efforts towards sustainable development as a nation.
“To achieve this, we gave you the best as participants to be groomed and guided by your world-class faculty members and facilities,” he said.
The President also advised graduands to sustain the level of seriousness with which they handled the course themes as they are of great importance to the Government.
“To the graduands, the activities and your experiences through the duration of the course must have impacted positively on you.
“I am delighted to know that you are leaving the National Institute with a better understanding of our great country and better knowledge of issues and problem-solving skills to enable you to take on more responsibilities and perform optimally at your duty posts in the interest of our nation.
“Having invested so much in you, the nation expects you to bring to bear the novel ideas you have acquired from Kuru.
“I assure you that the findings and recommendations contained in your report will be promptly attended to and applied by my government and those to come after me for the good of our dear country.
“I congratulate you all and members of your family on your graduation and wish you the best as you resume to your positions or assume higher responsibilities in your various fields of endeavors.
“To the management and staff of the National Institute, I commend you. The government buys into your mission of working towards a better society and is ever willing and ready to support you in achieving it for our nation.
“Thank you for producing very excellent results even in the face of stiff challenges. Thank you and God bless you all,” he said.
The Minister later commissioned, on behalf of the President, the Nursery/Primary School, and e-learning center donated by the graduands to the children of the NIPSS staff and the Kuru community as well as a weather center established by the Graduands in collaboration with the NIMET.
He also congratulated the Honourable Minister whose younger brother, Bello Jaji Sambo, a Director with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was among the Graduands.
Headlines
Aftermath of Adeyanju’s exit, crisis resurfaces in MWUN

Headlines
NIMASA embarks on digital revolution to plug revenue leakages, enhance optimum operations

— spurns smear campaign against the process
“To set the records straight, following a comprehensive internal review of operational systems, the current leadership of NIMASA resolved to embrace technology as a means of enhancing the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its regulatory mandate more effectively and to bring into the coffers of government additional revenue ensure funds due government does not end up in private hands.
“A pivotal innovation in this regard is the Maritime Enhanced Monitoring System (MEMS).
“The additional recipients targeted are, waste reception services, a routine operation for both domestic and international vessels have traditionally lacked proper tracking, resulting in unmonitored activities and significant revenue losses.
“Marine pollution control, another critical area of NIMASA’s mandate, has similarly been constrained by limited digital tools. In the absence of satellite tracking and automated reporting, pollution events often go unnoticed or are reported too late to mitigate their impact.
“It is important to emphasize that past revenue shortfalls experienced by the Agency mainly stemmed from outdated manual processes, fragmented data systems, and insufficient digital enforcement mechanisms which allowed some external elements to capitalize on the loopholes for personal gains .
“The current reforms being implemented by NIMASA are focused squarely on overcoming these limitations.
“The public is therefore advised to disregard the misleading reports and instead support NIMASA’s transformation journey as it aligns with the broader national objectives of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“The Agency remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s maritime governance, ensuring environmental safety, and optimizing revenue for the nation.
“It is worthy of note that the Deep Blue Project of the Agency which now enjoys global recognition also witnessed such resistance at the initial stage” the agency noted.
Headlines
Oyetola expresses determination to stop granting waiver requests under Cabotage regime

-
Freight Monitor3 months ago
Freight forwarding business under threat as Customs Agents lament high cost of goods clearance at ports
-
Headlines3 months ago
Freight Forwarders drag Shippers’ Council to Presidency over reintroduction of ICTN
-
Headlines3 months ago
NRC partners Galaxy Backbone to strengthen technology services in Nigeria’s rail system
-
Headlines3 months ago
NRC, APMT flag off three- times -a- week cargo train service from Lagos to Ibadan with 35 containers
-
Customs3 months ago
Customs buckles as it suspends implementation of 4 per cent FOB charge
-
Headlines3 months ago
NPA, PEBEC in strategic partnership to boost efficiency, ease of doing business at Nigerian ports