The Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin has pledged his unflinching support for The Progressive Institute, TPI. The Senator, while receiving management staff of the institute in his office on Wednesday hails the intellectual resource center of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, noting that it’s track record within the short period of its establishment is a signal that Nigerian democracy is growing.
The Progressive Institute, a Think Tank of the APC led by its Director General, Lanre Adebayo, PhD was on a courtesy visit to the National Assembly to commend and solicit the continuous support of the Deputy Senate President.
“I’m a beneficiary of a similar Institute from a foreign land” Senator Barau said as he recalled how the National Democratic Institute, NDI of the United States of America, USA trained elected lawmakers at the return of the country’s civil rule. “The gesture of the NDI was very useful to our legislative functions as we were trained on the global parliamentary best practices immediately after the inauguration of the National Assembly in 1999”.
The famous Kano born politician added that, “as a newly elected House of Representatives member representing Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State, I joined my colleagues for the training, which sharpened our grasp of the Parliament. Because of this, I’ve been praying that we have a similar body in Nigeria. And today, we have one”.
“I’m happy to see the birth of TPI. My commendation goes to the National Chairman of our party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and all those who contributed to making it a reality. TPI will benefit not only APC but the country and even our continent.
Senator Barau who doubled as the first deputy speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament appeals to TPI to extend its tentacles beyond the confines of Nigeria. “Please extend your tentacles to the ECOWAS Parliament, like the NDI did to Nigeria. I will keep supporting you. I will support whatever you stand for and whatever you bring before me”, the Deputy Senate President said, affirming that his doors remain open to TPI at anytime.
Dr. Adebayo, TPI DG commended the Deputy Senate President. “We’re always happy with your consistent gestures. We pray for the success of our government. We’re proud to be associated with you. And we promise you our best”‘. The DG said as he shared the institute’s plans to embark on National Youth Mentorship Program, The development of APC Ideology and many others. “”TPI will contribute to Nigerian development by enhancing governance in the country””.
“TPI is patterned after the National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the United States of America. The institute is committed to party growth. It’s an example APC is proving to other political parties across the globe. It’s a critical intervention project of our dear party”, Dr. Adebayo said.
Also at the meeting are Senator Dandutse Muntari Muhammad, Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, TPI Director of Program and Training Malam Muhammad Sanusi-Kiru, TPI Director of Legal Services, Barrister Ego Queen-Ezuma and others.
Wale Abideen
Head of Media
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