TPI is Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s premier political foundation – Yilwatda

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has revealed that the establishment of The Progressive Institute (TPI) by the party is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision in establishing a premier political foundation in the country.

Yilwatda, however, assured of the party’s total commitment to ensuring that the President’s desire of a world class institution is achieved.

Speaking Monday in Abuja during the inauguration of the Governing Council of The Progressive Institute, Prof. Yilwatda appealled for the support of all party elders, state Governors and party representatives by outsourcing their training, research and relevant consultancy services to the Institute.

“Let me at this point express our Leadership’s appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his vision in establishing this premier political foundation in the Country.

“I wish to assure him of our total commitment to ensuring that the President’s desire of a world class institution is achieved. I also wish to thank my predecessor His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who is also the former Executive Governor of Kano State and others for their efforts to establish this great institution.”

While congratulating the members of the newly inaugurated Council, the APC National Chairman said himself will chair the Council.

He said: “This was a deliberate decision of the APC to ensure that the Institute gets policy and strategic attention at the highest level of the Party leadership. I want to assure you that the entirely leadership of our Party, starting from our National Leader, my good self, all members of the National Working Committee and all APC Leaders, are fully committed to give this great institution our full support and attention.”

Yilwatda said Council has the following statutory functions:” To undertake research and publication of books/journals on public policy, democratization, good governance, leadership and related subject matters.

“To organize regular workshops, international and local conferences, national discourses on ideology, governance and related matters.

“Working in collaboration with relevant organs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to develop and execute the party’s political strategies.

“To undertake capacity building programs in the following areas: Intra-party governance, Leadership, Ideology, Public policy, Institution building, Elections and election related matter and APC values and identity.

“Provide the platform for robust discussion within the Party, between the Party and the wider Nigerian society.

“To serve as the institutional memory of the APC by documenting all its activities, Party Primaries, policies and decisions of the Party especially decisions by the Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings, the Convention etc.”

Director General of TPI, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, while assuring the APC leadership of his management’s commitment to set a standard for the Institute, he added that committed members of the party are engaged as staff, saying” any staff that is not a member of the party will be asked to resign.