By Chesa Chesa
Research-driven and empirical solutions proffered by The Progressive Institute (PTI), as a think-tank of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will help the party deliver more efficient governance within its fold and Nigeria at large, says the party’s national chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje.
He made the declaration during a one-day validation conference on the Draft Handbook of the PTI in Abuja on Saturday. It was organised in conjunction with the Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa.
The party chairman explained that developing the handbook was essential to facilitating the emergence of the PTI as APC’s formidable and accountable world-class think-tank and intellectual resource centre that will boost the process of decision making.
Ganduje said this was in furtherance of APC’s determination to raise the quality of political discourse in the country through very well defined ideological prisms; as his leadership remains committed to promoting the ideals of democracy, good governance, inclusiveness and equity.
He stressed that the Handbook is part of the initial foundational materials of the PTI in order to ensure global standard and thoroughness in the development of both the intellectual and professional materials of the institution.
According to him: “One of my major pronouncements immediately after my inauguration as the National Chairman of our great party was the establishment of the Progressive Institute as platform not only to enhance the intellectual of the party, but also to strengthen the process of decision-making through the deployment of research-driven, empirical and accountable approaches in the APC’s operations.
“We are determined to leverage on science and technology to deepen internal democracy while also promoting democracy, good governance, inclusiveness and equity in the country. Our leadership is conscious of its historical responsibility to promote these ideals.
“The Progressive Institute will play a dual role for the APC. It will function as a Think Tank as well as an intellectual Resource Centre. As a Think Tank it will undertake research either on its own or under the directives of the party, focusing on policies and programmes of governments under the APC platform.
“This will enhance the capacity to effectively play its role. It will also undertake capacity building activities for our members.”
Ganduje further explained that as think-tank and resource centre the PTI will carry out research on progressive ideals and their programmatic implications while also developing the curriculum for ideological training for members of the APC, including those in government.
The event was chaired by former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Nuhu Yaqub, and was attended by APC chieftains, including the national secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru; national publicity secretary, Barrister Felix Muoka; and some members of the National Working Committee.
From the Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa were the Director-General, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, and Prof. Demola Abass; while those who made paper presentations at the technical sessions included former National Coordinator of Transition Monitoring Group, Mrs. Mabel Ade; retired Director at the Federal Civil Service, Musa Saleh; and Prof. Femi Sumaila.
