By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
THE Federal Government has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) with a mandate to make a difference and contribute to the security and stability of the country.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha who inaugurated the board charged the members to proffer solution to the various security challenges bedeviling the country.
The board is headed by former Director-General of State Security Service (SSS), A. A. Gadzama.
“It is hoped that this, coupled with the fact that security is one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, will spur you on to make a success of this national assignment,” the SGF said.
The NISS was earlier conceived as the Department of State Services Training School in 1999 and later upgraded to Institute of Security Studies (ISS) in 2008.
In June, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Bill by the National Assembly elevating the Institute to the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS).
Mustapha said in line with the NISS Act of 2019, Mr. President approved the composition of the Board.
Other members are Sanusi Galadima as representative of the National Security Adviser (NSA);
Dr. Amina ShamaKi, Permanent Secretary, Social Service Office; F.A ADEKAIYAOJA, DGSS representative; Kio. S. AIMEYEOFORI DG Nantional Intelligence Agency representative; Maj. Gen. BM SHAFA, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) representative: A.S. ADELEKE, Commandant NISS and Nuhu UMAR, Director (Admin) NISS Ag. Secretary.
Mustapha said: “As spelt out in part 1 of the NISS Act, the objectives of the Institute, amongst others, are to: be a leading centre for the provision of competence and enhanced training for middle and top-level managers of security in order to advance best practices in conflict prevention, mitigation and resolution.
“Contribute uniquely and viably, to the promotion of inter-service, ainter-agency and international cooperation, collaboration and harmony among intelligence, security and law enforcement agencies locally and globally in order to achieve national security, regional and global peace;
“Serve as a critical centre for research and dialogue where distinguished academics, policy initiators and implementers meet to cross-fertile ideas on national and global security issues;
“Add critical balance and objectivity by providing timely, empirical research and contextual analysis of relevant security issues to policy makers, area specialists, advocacy groups, and the media;
“As members of the Governing Board, your main responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: formulate policies and set targets for the Institute.
“Determine and monitor programmes to be run by the Institute; determine and approve budgets, estimates and investment plans of the Institute;
“Approve the curricula of the Institute, consider and approve the appointment of the Commandant of the Institute upon recommendation of the Director-General State Service; and periodically review the performance of the institute”.
“I have no doubt that you can achieve the overall objective for the establishment of the institute, namely, making a difference and contributing to the security and stability of our dear country, Nigeria,” the SGF added.
