Uduaghan Seeks Programme For Politicians

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has urged the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to design a short executive programme for top politicians in the country.

According to the governor, the programme will help to prepare the politicians for the task of governance.

Uduaghan made the call when participants of Course 34 of the institute paid him a courtesy call in Asaba on Monday, saying that the institute’s Research Department could design programmes that would suit the political class.

He said that since most students of the institute were top government functionaries who were versed in different aspects of governance, it should also incorporate politicians in an interactive seminar.

“I want to request the institute to organise a short programme for the political class in the country.

“NIPSS has something for everybody in the society, l think it should organise an interactive programme for top politicians,” he said.

Uduaghan said that this year’s interactive tour for Course 34 students entitled “Resource Diversification for Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria” was apt.

He said that it was critical for the nation to move beyond oil and gas and explore its strength in other areas of comparative advantages because oil would not last forever.

The governor said that the recently-concluded Second South-South Economic Summit centred on diversification of the economy of the region, adding that Delta already had a programme on diversification titled “Delta Without Oil. “He said  that the diversification programme was designed to pursue policies on agriculture, leisure and oil mineral resources among others, noting that the State Government was partnering with the Federal Government to develop the cargo wing of the Asaba Airport.

“We are also empowering the youths through agriculture and micro-credit scheme because once the youths are engaged, they will not be attracted to crime,’’ he said.

The Director General of NIPSS, Prof. Tijani Bande, said the team was in Delta to interact with top government functionaries.

He said that, diversification was now central to the economic development of the nation, and enjoined states to key into it.

Bande commended the South-South Zone of the country for its effort towards integration and economic diversification, saying that such drive will open the door for sustainable development in the region.