The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has commended the National Institute for Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru and its alumni for their consistent dedication to fostering intellectual discourse and national development.
This is just as the federal government has accorded members of the national institute the privilege of being entitled to protocol lounges in all the airports in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack gave the commendation at a Presidential Dinner for the Graduating Senior Executive Course 46/2024 of NIPSS, organised by the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) in Abuja.
She said that the institute was not merely an academic institution, but a crucible where character was refined and visionary leadership born.
According to her, the knowledge, networks, and experiences they have garnered are the key to their success and would empower them to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the nation.
Walson-Jack said the tradition of nurturing thought leadership and strategic thinking through various initiatives was a testament to the value of leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing the nation, Nigeria.
She prayed that the ideals of AANI continue to inspire generations of leaders dedicated to the progress and prosperity of Nigeria, towards a better society.
“May you lead with wisdom, serve with integrity, and inspire generations to come,” she said.
The head of service recalled that the rigour of passing through the institute was a challenging yet exhilarating journey that not only shaped her career but also refined her perspective on leadership.
“Tonight, we gather to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the graduating class of SEC 46/2024.
“Indeed, I was there this afternoon and listened with great attention to your excellent presentation.
“As you stand on the brink of graduation, you carry with you the wisdom acquired from countless lectures, rigorous debates, numerous travels, and many degrees of skills, and shared moments of both triumph and lighthearted mishaps.
“It is now your turn to transform those lessons into impactful actions that resonate far beyond the walls of this great institution,” she added.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr Muhammed Umar, said being a member of NIPSS was a great privilege, adding that privileges always come with responsibilities.
Umar reminded the graduating participants that they were expected to act properly in their places of work, and in trying to make a better society.
He announced that the federal government had accorded members of the national institute the privilege of being entitled to protocol lounges in all the airports in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, urged the graduating participants to remain disciplined and dedicated to the task of national development.
He urged them not to forget the value of leadership that they were taught during their period of study at the institute.
The president of AANI, Amb. Emmanuel Okafor, commended the members of SEC 46, for their sterling performance, adding that they had made one of the best research presentations so far in Nigeria.
Okafor said that President Bola Tinubu had described the AANI members as a group of assets to the country.
He gave assurance that AANI, as an advocacy body, was dedicated to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in the country.
“We recognise the importance of governance, education, capacity building, and mentoring.
“The next generation of leaders are all here tonight. We are not only celebrating the achievements of our graduating members, but also their potential to drive positive change in their respective places of work,” he said.
