Press Release: Bagudu tasks NIPSS on shoring up revenues, says Kebbi unique

Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has tasked the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos, to come up with more plausible ways, to shore up the revenue base of the country.

Bagudu on Monday, in Birnin Kebbi, when he received the participants of the Senior Executives 43, Study Group 1, from the Institute, led by the Team Leader, Rear Admiral Elkanor Olaleye Jaeyeola

The Chairman of the APC Governors' Forum lamented that, resource limitation was one of the formidable challenges facing Nigeria.

' If there is anything that limit us is the resource limitation, both states and local governments rely on of federation account', he said.

According to him, such glaring challenges were more prevalent in the face of the competing demands for development and provision of the welfare needs of the nation .

Bagudu said : " Resources limitation is one of the challenges that affect everything, including security .

" We need to know what is the appropriate levels of funding required at all levels of government and the Institute should help in this direction."

Bagudu averred that, Kebbi State however appreciates its uniqueness , adding, " Over the last six years, as a Governor and my Team, we have seen that we are not as rich as we thought we are .

" Within one month of being sworn in, we had very clear plans and took measures to bolster the yields of our economy agents, farmers, fishing communities and livestock production .

" This was so that their incomes can increase and regenerate the economy . This was successfully done."

' If there is one experience that we will like to share in our six years performance effort is this appreciation of our uniqueness.

The Kebbi State governor expressed delight that each state in Nigeria is unique and has something to offer for the development of the country.

Bagudu therefore among other things, urged the Institute to help put ,hence get things done better, in line with the Course's 2021 Theme.

The Kebbi State Governor said that, Kebbi had fully embraced the Federal Government's agricultural transformation initiatives, as such, it is now the hub of rice Production, cassava , soybeans and tomatoes, among others .

He also said that, the state's cassava and sugarcane based Ethanol Production was on due course , among myriad of other breakthroughs on Agriculture, livestock, Fisheries and other related areas.

He said that , NIPSS boasts of participants and grandaunts who are contributing to various aspects of national development.

Bagudu again extended his condolences on the death of the Chief of Army Staff and ten other Military Officers , saying that, their struggles to keep Nigeria safe would not go in vain.

' let me join in condoling with all of us on the tragedy that befell our nation few days ago and pray that the objectives of those who lost their lives in defending the nation be achieved and Nigeria will be a peaceful and prosperous nation ' he prayed.

The Team Leader, Rear Admiral Elkanor Olaleye Jaeyeola had earlier said that, NIPSS was established to serve as a high level think tank .

He said that, technocrats are put together and prepared to research and touch details of various issues bothering Nigeria.

According to him, the theme for 2021 is:" Getting things done; strategies for policies and Programmes implementation in Nigeria ."

He said that, the President annually gives a theme to be researched and interrogated and that, their work covers Nigeria , Africa and other continents .

" At the end of our study tours, we will review several policies, programmes and strategies ,with a view to get things done, very well.

" We are in Kebbi to see how the state was able to get things done well and advise the President on how this can be translated at the Federal Level and other aspects of the economy."

The team leader on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the governor for the warm reception accorded them and for time he has spent in answering some of their questions.

Signed:
YAHAYA SARKI
Special Adviser (SA) Media to Kebbi State Governor
24/5/2021