The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has urged members of the Board of The Progressive Institute (TPI) to ensure that the vision which informed its establishment is not undermined.
Professor Yilwatda, who is also the Chairman of the Institute, gave the admonition on Monday at the inauguration of the Council.
The Progressive Institute (TPI), a think tank of the ruling party, was unveiled on 6 September 2024.
Among other objectives, it is mandated to undertake research and publish books and journals on public policy, democratisation, good governance, leadership and related subject matters; to organise regular workshops, as well as international and local conferences, and national discourses on ideology, governance and related issues.
In collaboration with relevant organs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Institute is equally mandated to develop and execute the party’s political strategies.
The Institute will also serve as the institutional memory of the APC by documenting all its activities, party primaries, policies and decisions, especially resolutions of the Caucus, the National Executive Committee meetings and the Convention.
The APC National Chairman, who urged the nine-member Council and six ex officio members of the Governing Council not to disappoint President Bola Tinubu, whom he acknowledged as the brain behind the Institute, appealed to them to use their expertise to add value to the TPI.
He said, “I wish to congratulate all members of the Governing Council for your previous support to our party and the opportunity to continue to serve through the Progressive Institute.
“You were carefully selected and highly recommended among thousands of qualified experts and outstanding Nigerians because of your pedigree and experience. I have no doubt that you will contribute to our efforts to build a first-class institute.”
The APC National Chairman further appealed for the support of all party elders, especially state governors and party representatives, to support the Institute by outsourcing their training, research and relevant consultancy services to it.
In his remarks, the Director-General and Secretary of the Council, Dr Lanre Adebayo, assured the APC National Chairman that the team would give the best of their individual expertise to ensure that the party derives value from establishing the Institute.
Dr Adebayo, who recalled that the Institute commenced operations without a take-off grant from the party, expressed appreciation to the APC National Chairman for his sustained support and collaboration since assuming office.
“We will continue to give our best because we believe in the APC,” the Director-General assured the party.