GOODWILL MESSAGE BY H.E. RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE AT THE INAUGURATION OF SENIOR EXECUTIVE COURSE 43 OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES KURU, PLATEAU STATE, 1ST MARCH 2021.

Protocols

1. It is a great honour for me to be here again for the inauguration of another set of Senior Executive Course Participants at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru. I welcome all the participants and resource persons to Plateau State, the Home of Peace and Tourism.
2. I also welcome His Excellency, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo who is officially inaugurating the Senior Executive Course 43 at this very important occasion. We also welcome other guests who are attending this event from various parts of the country.
3. For us, the establishment of the National Institute here in Plateau State and its steady progress since 1979 remains a great blessing for the State and the nation at large. This is because as the highest policy think tank of the country, so much valuable research and policy recommendations have emanated from this institute which has shaped policies of our nation.
4. I am therefore excited by the choice of the study theme for SEC 43 Executive Course which is “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria”. This is perhaps one of the crucial topics that the institute will focus on in recent times because of its importance to our national development.
5. It is an uncontestable fact that over the years in Nigeria, numerous brilliant policies have been formulated in different sectors and by different administrations. However, the paradox is that only a fraction of these numerous policies are implemented with many of them either jettisoned, abysmally carried out or left to gather dust in the shelf.
6. This has led to a lot of distortions in the process of nation-building where many policies have to be re-casted all over again, implemented half-way or entirely abandoned. In the process, the nation incurs enormous losses in terms of wasted resources, manpower and valuable time.
7. Corruption, lack of continuity in government policies, inadequate human and material resources, poor leadership programme, sectionalism and ethnic biases and lack of political will are some of the reasons attributed to the lack of effective policy implementation in Nigeria. Such reasons can by no means justify the enormous resources that are wasted and the attendant consequences to the nation.
8. Today, some of the challenges we face ranging from insecurity, poverty, illiteracy, climate change, poor transportation, inadequate infrastructure, abuse of power, mistrust and intolerance, lack of adherence to rule of law among others can be traced to the inability to implement policies enunciated at various times.
9. For example, in the 50s and 60s, there were policies to administer our forests and its resources where the regions had Ministries of Forestry solely devoted to managing these endowments. Along the line, we lost track and scrapped them such that today, we no longer have such Ministries to focus on many of our vast forests. The result is that they have become ungoverned spaces where criminals are using as hideouts to terrorize the people. The same story is replicated in various sectors of the economy.
10. For us to change this trajectory and get things done, we must make a radical shift where policies with timelines will be faithfully adhered to, no matter who is in charge. National aspirations should not be subjected to political, ethnic or religious biases that end up impoverishing all of us. We must look at the larger picture in implementing policies that impact the lives of our people today and in the future. Examples are all over the world for us to learn from.
11. For us in Plateau State, our Rescue Administration has deviated from the practices of successive administrations who jettisoned projects and programmes they inherited. We have decided to implement most of the projects that were abandoned because of the interest of the people and the huge investment of the State. Despite the fact that we took over from a different political party, we have not allowed sentiments to overcome our reasoning in the interest of the public. That is the way to go.
12. Today, we have completed projects such as the Riyom General Hospital which was started in 2005 and abandoned for over 8 years; the Mabudi General Hospital in Langtang South abandoned at foundation stage; the Kanke General Hospital in Kwall; the Mararaban Jama’a dual carriage road; the Secretariat Junction Flyover Bridge and roads, among many others. We are determined to complete others for the benefit of our people.
13. In addition to these, we have equally developed a 5 year strategic development plan that is being implemented in line with the aspirations of the State particularly as it relates to the development of its areas of comparative advantage which include agriculture, tourism and mining. We have equally set out a roadmap for sustainable peace by establishing the Peace Building Agency backed by law and the first of its kind in Nigeria.
14. Distinguished participants, I hope that you will devote your time to carry out deep research into how we can break away from this situation of policy summersault, waste of resources and under-development that is brought about by the lack of faithfulness in policy implementation. Our nation has lost a lot of time and resources which we need to redeem if we must make any progress in the face of many challenges we face today.
15. Be assured as always of the support of the Plateau State Government during the period of your stay here in our beautiful State. Our people are hospitable and willing to accommodate you long after you complete this course just like they have done to your predecessors. Apart from settling down in Plateau State, many of them have over the years enjoyed coming back to base to meet and relish in the spirit of reunion and thanking God for what NIPSS has imbibed in them.
16. As you settle down to business, I admonish you to give your best to justify your selection to this prestigious institute for special course. The nation is looking up to you and you should bear in mind that mere formulation of policies are not the major issues in Nigeria today. Rather their effective implementation with strategies and timelines are the only things that can bring about national development and cohesion.
17. I wish you a successful study tour.
18. God bless Plateau State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
19. Thank you.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State
29th February 2021

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Gov. Lalong’s Text at the Inauguration of Senior Executive Course of NIPSS Kuru