… as APC unveils Progressive Institute as sanctuary for ideas, research, Policy Think Tank
By Joy Odor
Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese has warned President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate to reduce the price of fuel, saying there is serious hunger in the land Nigerians are suffering.
Kukah also charged Nigerian political leaders to graduate from patronising marabout to embracing scientific approach to administering the country.
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The Catholic Bishop who stated this in his address at the Formal Unveiling of the The Progressive Institute (TPI) in Abuja on Friday challenged the political leaders to urgently find a way of reducing hunger and suffering of the masses in the land.
Kukah maintained that unless democracy is anchored on sound foundation, we will be building on sand.
He appealed to Nigeria politicians to write their biography so that the younger generation would appreciate the mistakes they have made.
According to him, the APC Progressive Institute will help the political leaders to change the rules of engagement.
” You must fund a way of reducing the prices of fuel to reduce the suffering in the country.
“I have always said that I am not a politician but I am political. I am not a member of the APC. If Labour Party invites me, I will go, if it is the PDP that invites me, I will also go. One thing I will appeal to politicians is to write your biography so that the younger generation will appreciate the mistakes you have made.
“A girl was asked, which party are you? APC, LP or PDP? She said ‘I am hungry’, so we Nigerians are hungry. You have to find a way of reducing this price of fuel.
“Unless democracy is anchored on sound foundation, we will be building on sand. I am concerned about the quality of democracy in Nigeria. We need to fix the problem with democracy in Nigeria.”
“The Institute will help the political leaders to change the rules of engagement.
“As I commend the APC for this feat and I am happy that the political leaders are here and I want to say that Nigerians are hungry.
In his speech, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Apkabio noted that the institute shall serve as a platform for spirited dialogue, fostering understanding and collaboration among all stakeholders—be they policymakers, scholars, or the vibrant voices of our civil society.
Akpabio who was represented by the Deputy Senate President (DSP), Senator Barau Jibrin informed that the Progressive Institute shall be a sanctuary for audacious ideas, a home for research that transforms our policies,
and a rallying point for all who dare to believe in the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
“let us hold dear the words of those valiant souls who came before us—those who fought tirelessly for democracy, justice, and equality.
” We stand upon their shoulders, and it is our solemn duty to honor their legacy by striving for a Nigeria that embodies our highest aspirations.
“A Nigeria where every citizen is afforded the opportunity to thrive, where innovation knows no bounds, and where our children can dream without limits.
“We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture in our history. The challenges that lie ahead are formidable, but together, we shall rise to meet them with courage and resolve” he noted.
Earlier, the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje affirmed that the Institute would serve as the official Policy Think Tank of the Party and shall undertake research and advice the Party on the performance of policies and programs of all APC governments and proffer advice.
“It shall provide the platform for robust discussion between the Party, Nigeria’s Academic Community, the civil society and the media as part of a deliberate effort to promote inclusiveness and ownership.
“The essence is to enhance the policy capacity of the Party, especially to enable it to provide policy advice and suggestions for the consideration of Governments elected on its platform.
“To serve as the Intellectual Resource Centre of the APC which shall carry out research-driven empirical training programmes. The purpose is to make our Party more competitive, especially in terms of the quality and policy knowledge of its candidates.
“Both functions are to enhance the Party’s ability to fulfil its constitutional mandate of leadership recruitment and setting broad policy agenda for governments elected on its platform through the Party manifesto and ideology.
“The Party will also leverage on the Institute to further enhance its relationship with Nigeria’s non-sector (popularly referred to as the Third Sector).
“Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, this Event is also to formally announce that the Institute’s management has been constituted.
“I am proud to say that our Leadership has assembled some of Nigeria’s best to constitute the management team. I am confident that they will perform even beyond our expectations.
“Finally, I urge everyone, including Nigeria’s developing partners, the Academic community, the non-state organizations and other relevant stakeholders to support this new initiative as our Party’s contributions to enriching our polity through more transparent leadership recruitment, a more inclusive public policy process, as well as an enhanced good governance system” he stressed.
