In his quest to broaden his knowledge and reach for more vistas, the Ibadan-born peace ambassador, educationist and philanthropist, Dr. Akande Kazeem Babatunde has added another professional qualification after completing a course of study at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru Jos.
Akande and several other well meaning Nigerians graduated from the foremost institute that teaches policy, strategy and leadership in Nigeria which is a policy formation centre for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, military officers, and medium-rank and senior civil servants and most policymakers in Nigeria have attended.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Akande said the one-month short course training featured several government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Police Service Commission, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Total Energy, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSDC), Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation (NCAA), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Petroleum Training Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and several other government parastatals.
He expressed his joy for being able to take this leap with faith and completing it without incidents, noting that he felt it was not enough to contribute financially to peace, youth empowerment, and education, but he believes it is time to move and partner with the government to ensure that there is development in the aforementioned sectors.
Hence, he saw the importance of understanding policy making and implementation which is why he decided to fully fund and attend the short course.
Akande further noted that the one-month short course has been intensive and breathtaking while commending the leadership of the institute for the rigorous and mind-opening training they have been able to dole out in just a month.
Akande noted that this sojourn to kuru Jos will definitely not be without fruits, as he hinted the press about his plans to come up with a policy proposal around education and youth entrepreneurship for the Oyo State government, with emphasis on a policy proposal that will encourage the re-integration of retired teachers to teach core subjects at senior secondary school level which will add to the myriad of solutions that has been employed to tackle failure of mathematics and English language in SSCE and other external examinations.
Also speaking at the graduation event is the Director General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Professor Ayo Omotayo, who was represented by Prof Funmi Para-Malam mni, who stressed the importance of the institute to the nation stating that it has built leaders in government and several ministries for many decades.
She noted that the short course might look abridged but participants have gained the best of policy making, implementation, and leadership. He encouraged the participants to make efforts to attend the extensive course in 2024.
Dr. Akande affirmed that he aspires to attend NIPSS once more to take the Senior Executive Course (SEC 46) next year 2024 and broaden his knowledge.
He also mentioned that he is committed to seeing through the policies proposed to continue to support education and youth empowerment,thereby supporting the government in Oyo State to foster education, ensure communal peace, and contribute to youth empowerment.
Akande extended his thanks to colleagues and staff of NIPSS who have made the stay in Jos pleasant, while thanking Prof. Ayo Omotayo; Director General, Brig Gen CFJ Udaya mni, Prof. OJ.Para-Mallam mni, Prof. Pam Dung, Prof Jane Ande, Rt Hon Joyce Lohya Ramnap, Mrs Sandra Agbor, Mr Chinedu Okoye, Mrs Oluwakemi Aina, Mr Isiah Muhammed Ozi, Dajan Maksat Caleb, Maryann Badooh, Chioma Ohadiugha, Nafisat Bose Lawal.
The faculties and other management staff including my group members Olusegun Victor Popoola, Bankat Hattinsha Clement, Adiele Emeto Ben, Olaniyi Babatunde D, BetareAliyu Fatima, Gana Celina Shitnan, Jibril Mason Ibrahim, Mohammed Manir D, Dike Chukwuemeka I, Musa Rasaq, Alihassan Balarabe S, Abdulmalik Ifueko O, Ochigbo Victor, Ahmed Mohammed H, Olubodun Ayomide, Ujam Chukwugozie, Olabode Joyce Temitayo, Sugh Beatrice Mbanan, Adewale Oluwasogo Isaac, Aminu Lamido, Ntekop Thaddeus Samuel , Fawole Isreal Opeyemi, Edem Sunday Eyo, Njoku Emmanuel Chinonyerem, Hamzat Bala Lawal, Ishaku Beatrice Nathasha, Nafisat Bose Lawal, Naanchin Florence Puusmut, and other participants.
Amb AKANDE, Kazeem Babatunde;PhD,PHF, FIAGP, FAI, CPA, FCIAP, FPD-CR, FICSTM, FWECMA, FNYCN, FTIPS,PEIPA, FEIP,AfriAP, JP, PSLC
+2348036669747, akandetunde0505@gmail.com
