The Chartered Institute of Development Studies and Administration of Nigeria, CIDSAN, has said a working relationship with the World Bank would help the institution to achieve its developmental objectives and goals.
This was disclosed by the president of CIDSAN, Dr. Elijah Ogbuokiri, during a visit to the World Bank in Abuja recently.
According to Dr Ogbuokiri, the aim of the visit is “to establish a working collaboration with the World Bank that will enable the institute achieve its desired development goals in Nigeria and beyond.”
The CIDSAN boss urged the global bank to provide the institute the opportunity to handle some of their interventions such as delivering programmes that would enhance job creation for the youths, economic empowerment for women, offering business development and support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, as CIDSAN has certified and highly experienced members in those areas.
He also appealed to the bank for support in their research programmes in the areas they have critical interest in Nigeria, among others.
Giving a quick summary of the CIDSAN profile, registrar of the institute, Mr. Ihendu Okoro pointed out the institutes areas of strength and professionalism, as he assured the World Bank of CIDSAN’s capacity building capability with its experts from diverse fields.
In his response, the World Bank representative to Nigeria, Mr. Utz Pape expressed delight in CIDSAN’s impressive outlook as a chartered institute with sound professionals already enrolled on its portal within just one year of its existence.
He further stated that the World Bank as an organisation does not operate independently of the country’s government, as they help on projects approved by government of the country by providing funding support.
“The World Bank does not decide on the project to execute, rather the government of the country does,” he said.
Mr Pape further pointed out that the biggest collaboration the bank could consider with CIDSAN would be in the area of research.
He, requested, to know more about CIDSAN events and its mode of operations.
At the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Ogbuokiri outlined the institute’s objectives and its role in training with much focus on gender and youth empowerment, development communication, entrepreneurship and MSMEs development, migration, diaspora and refugee issues, as well as planning, monitoring and evaluation.
He reiterated the institute’s mandate to support and collaborate with ministry in achieving it development objectives and goals.
He emphasised the need for those in the education sector to also have skills to enhance their productivity and to make Nigeria a better place educationally.
Responding, the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Tanko Sululu welcomed the CIDSAN executives for their laudable initiatives.
The minister stresses the importance of improving teachers’ capacity through training, in line with the CIDSAN vision.
He further said that the Ministry will be prepared to work with CIDSAN to achieve effective development in Nigeria.
Also in the CIDSAN team was the vice president (Admin), Rev. Godwin Okonkwo, among others.
