Keynote Address Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (Speaker of the House of Representatives) at the inauguration of the Governing Council and induction of members of CIDSAN

All Nigerians Need Education On Development Administration

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has emphasised the need for all Nigerians to be properly educated and carried along in the development of the country. Abbas took the position in his keynote address at the inauguration of the Governing Council and induction of members of the Chartered Institute of Development Studies of Nigeria, CIDSAN, in ABUJA recently.

Speaking on the topic, ‘The Imperatives of Development Administration in a Prismatic Society,’ the speaker expressed delight to speak on the subject which he said was apt an area of great concern to him, as the importance of Development Studies and Administration could not be over-emphasised. He pointed the main goal of development administration to include creating a better social, political and economic environment relating to socio-economic change and nation-building. Speaker Abbas noted that the practice of Development Administration was a major condition for the attainment of effective and efficient development projects in any developing society.

According to him, “Development projects play a pivotal role in the growth and progress of nations, serving as catalysts for economic development, social advancement, and environmental sustainability. They hold the promise of addressing pressing societal issues, from poverty alleviation to infrastructure development, and have the potentials to improve the lives of millions of people globally.
However, the success of these projects is contingent upon meticulous planning, effective implementation, rigorous monitoring, and comprehensive evaluation. In today’s global landscape, where resources are finite and the stakes are high, ensuring that development projects achieve their intended objectives has never been more critical.

“It focuses on the outcomes of the administrative work related to the nation’s development. Unfortunately and regrettably too, the needed professionals or experts in development administration is lacking in the Nigerian developmental space. This area of study is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses various aspects of social, economic and political development. It is targeted at understanding and addressing the challenges of development and promotes sustainable growth and improvements in societies.

“It is rather true that the poor management of our development efforts in Nigeria since Independence can be traced to among other factors, paucity of professionally equipped development experts that can facilitate the nation’s development journey by properly articulating adequate policy formulation, programmes and projects implementation and interventions in a very structured manner to guarantee the socio-cultural, socio-economic, socio-political transformation of Nigeria in all ramifications.” He further expressed delight in associating with CIDSAN whose activities he said aimed at assuring that there was a great potential in it.

In his welcome address, the president of CIDSAN, Elijah Ogbuokiri said the institute, which he hinted was established by an Act of Parliament in May 2023, is a professional organisation formed by seasoned professionals from strong multi-disciplinary backgrounds with the aim of promoting and advancing the study and practice of Development Management and Development Administration in Nigeria.

He added that members of the institute were called to serve and be part of building the institute and render selfless service for the growth and wellbeing of the institute and nation.

He urged for their support and experience to position CIDSAN and the development profession in Nigeria and beyond “for greater relevance in national discourse, public policy and advocacy.

Eighteen council members, eight member, seven associates, seven honourary fellows and 32 fellows were inducted at the event