National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has organised a three-day workshop for researchers to advance knowledge on democracy and good governance in Africa.
Director-General of the institute, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, while declaring the workshop open on Monday, said that it was aimed at enhancing governance and preserving the principles of democracy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop has, as its theme: “Strengthening Research Capacity and Grantsmanship Skills for NILDS Researchers.”
Sulaiman said that NILDS management remained committed to advancing the knowledge and expertise within the institute and the continent.
“This is because research serves as the bedrock upon which informed decisions are made, policies formulated and institutions strengthened.
“Therefore, the enhancement of research capacity and grantsmanship skills among researchers is not just a necessity but a crucial investment in the future, if our legislative and democratic institutions must be strengthened,” he said.
The director-general expressed the hope that the workshop would be a stepping stone to new heights of research excellence.
This, he said, was necessary to ensure that NILDS continued to be at the forefront of advancing knowledge in the service of democracy and governance, not only in Nigeria and the African continent, but at global level.
In his remarks, Prof. Mohammed Namadi, a researcher at NILDS, said that in the pursuit of knowledge, the ability to secure funding would play a pivotal role in transforming ideas into impactful projects.
According to him, the workshop is apt, as it is not just about understanding the intricacies of grant proposals but also, to empower the researchers with necessary skills to navigate the competitive landscape of research funding successfully.
Namadi said that the selection of topics, the expertise of the resource persons and the engaging sessions outlined were a clear evidence of the director-general’s thoughtful and meticulous approach.
He stated that the knowledge and skills to be imparted during the workshop would leave lasting impacts on the professional development of the institute’s researchers. (NAN)