By Eyo Nsima
Prof. Hilary Inyang has been appointed as a member of the National Institute Development Fund Board of Trustees, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies National Institute, NIPSS in Nigeria.
This was based on his sterling leadership qualities, commitment to the development of a better nation as well as a track record of remarkable achievements in selfless service to humanity.
In a letter conveying the appointment, the Director General of NIPSS, Prof Ayo Amotayo, stated: “The process leading up to the appointment was painstaking and was made conclusively in recognitions of your sterling leadership qualities, commitment to the development of a better Nigerian nation, as well as your track record of remarkable achievements in selfless service to humanity. You will be joining other highly respected, decorated and selfless personalities who have accepted to serve on the Board.
“The National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies was established by Decree No. 20 (1979) now CAP N51 Laws of the Federation (2004), to serve as the apex think tank and high-level centre for reflection, research, training and dialogue for policy initiators, executors and other citizens with a high level of practical experience and wisdom drawn from different sectors of national life in Nigeria and Africa, in the context of the dynamics of a constantly changing world. The Institute conducts courses for top-level policy makers and executors with a view to expanding their outlook, perspective, stretching their conceptual capacity, qualities of discernment and analysis. This is with the aim of helping them to improve their overall performance in their different fields of action. It also carries out in-depth research into the social, economic, political, security, scientific, cultural and other problems facing the country, and formulates and presents the available options of their solutions in usable form to the Federal Government.
“For over 40 years, the National Institute has consistently demonstrated a fervent commitment to the realisation of Nigeria’s core development aspirations. We believe that the capacity of the institute, which has been constrained by inadequate funding, can be enlarged through collaborations and partnerships with relevant stakeholders to enable it to continue the drive for its mandate “towards a better society”. To make up for the dwindling funding for the activities of the Institute and the need to reposition it for better performance in contemporary circumstances, the Institute has decided to put in place an enduring Development Fund. As such, there is a need to have exceptional Nigerians as members of the Board of Trustees for the fund.
“The composition of the Board of Trustees is consistent with the National Institute’s law to “maintain an (endowment) fund which shall be applied towards the promotion of its objectives”. In this respect, your role as a member of the Board of Trustees will include the coordination of fund-raising activities; proposing and establishing a prudent endowment spending policy; ensuring a prudent investment of the National Institute Endowment Fund; proposing the utilization of funds for training, research and infrastructure and rendering of the annual report to the NIPSS Board of Governors.
“Your acceptance of this important appointment will stand as another important legacy of your commitment to national development. It will not only remain indelible in the annals of posterity but also serve to engrave your name in our hall of development partners, supporters and ardent collaborators in the drive towards a better Nigeria.”
However, in his acceptance message, Prof Inyang, stated: “I hereby accept my appointment as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the National Institute Development Fund. I have carefully read the aspirations and orientations of the Board which are clearly in alignment with Nigeria’s declared drive for national socio-economic development through the development, propagation and implementation of good policies. I am impressed by the heritage and well-known accomplishments of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), an organization that has made seminal contributions to capacity building as regards high-level personnel training, the configuration of national development plans and analysis of policies and strategies within these contexts.
“Undoubtedly, improvement and sustainability of the above-mentioned programs are of interest to NIPSS. It is quite understandable and laudable that the NIPSS has assembled highly experienced and eminent personalities who have demonstrated excellence internationally in organizational leadership, the conceptualization of initiatives and the implementation of programs to provide advice on the gathering of resources (intellectual, financial and logistical) to support initiatives of the organization. I feel honored to be counted among the members of your illustrious Board. I look forward to my service on your Board.
“As you may know, I am not a resident of Nigeria although I have come in from time to time, to contribute ideas to various Nigerian and indeed African governmental and academic organizations. I will continue to do the same for NIPSS through your support. For the next year, I can be reached from my bases in the United States, South Africa, India and Ethiopia where I am presently a U.S. Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholar to Ethiopia with a base in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Once again, I thank you for selecting me for membership on your eminent Board.”
Other members of the Board include, His Eminence Alk Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, (Sultan of Sokoto), Chairman; His Royal Majesty Da Dr. Jacob Gyang Buba, (Gbong Gwom, Jos); His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Babatunde Aremu Aliola, (Oba of Lagos); His Royal Majesty Tsola Emiko, Ogiame Atuwatse III, (Olu of Warri; Prof. Adeolu Akande (Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission); Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu (Former Minister of Finance); Sir Marc I. Wabara, (Chairman, Overt Energy); Prince Julius Adelusi Adeluyi, (Chairman Juli PLC and former NIPSS Board member) and Barrister Yusuf Ali, Gaging Chambers, Abuja.
The Board which was recently inaugurated in Abuja by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, has already started work.
