TheCable

The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with leadership centres to address insecurity and promote good governance in West Africa.

Among those who signed the partnership are the Dantiye Centre of Good Leadership and Journalism (DCLJ) in Kano state and the JS & Associates Centre for Governance and Security Policy (CGSP) based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

At the event, which was virtual, Habu Galadima, director-general of the NIPSS, said the measure is part of the steps taken to find solutions to the issues confronting the region.

H said the world is currently at a point where the survival of nations depends on their abilities to come up with creative solutions to solve socio-political and other problems.

Galadima said the partnership was borne out of NIPSS‘ duty as “solution providers and “beacon of hope, not just to Nigeria only but also for Africa amid the despair and challenges of our present situation.”

“The focal objective of this partnership is to promote, establish and maintain cooperation and mutual assistance in the provision of training and strategic policy research and advisory support in the field of regional (Africa) and global issues,” he said.

“We are confident that this partnership will also assist Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region in the quest to promote collaborative politics; the ECOWAS protocols on good governance; the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) and the African Union Agenda 2063; the United Nations Agenda 2030; and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Munzali Jibril, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of the DCLJ, described the partnership as a timely collaborative effort required to chart a new course forward for West Africa.

“We hope that the results of the partnership will be visible on the political, social and economic landscape of not only Nigeria but on the African region in the years to come,” he said,

Tony Karbo, who represented CGSP at the event, expressed optimism that the partnership will foster regional reintegration while also beaming light on issues facing countries involved.

“We are very pleased to be part of this novel approach to dealing with security, political and economic issues in the sub-continent,” he said.

“We believe this partnership will go a long way to promote not just regional reintegration but also social cohesion, tolerance and to address other challenges facing the sub-region of West Africa and the continent at large.”

The programme, anchored by Azu Ishiekwene, a media expert, had in attendance participants from various countries across the globe.

Editor’s note: This picture was used for illustrative purposes