By Aisha Gambo

Prof. Musa Maitafsir, the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, National Teachers’ Institute Kaduna, has urged staff of the institute to acquire entrepreneurial skills, to improve their social and economic wellbeing.

He stated this at the ‘Second NTI Teacher Acculturation’ public lecture organised by the Department of Academic Services of the institute, on Friday in Kaduna.

Represented by Fatma Abbas-Jega, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council, Maitafsir enjoined the staff to embrace the opportunity and explore innovative approah to usher in a more secure and prosperous future.

He said: “Together, let’s explore how this holistic approach can propel our nation towards greater prosperity and sustainable development”.

According to him, the public lecture stands as a testament to the commitment in fostering an educational environment that goes beyond textbooks and traditional methodologies.

The NTI boss described the theme of the lecture: “Agriculture as a more Productive and Profitable Retirement Plan,” as having significant implications for the future of education and the wellbeing of the staff.

“Inculcating our civil servants with entrepreneurial skills is not just only a necessity but strategically imperative for national growth and sustainability”.

The lecture, he said would nurture entrepreneurial spirit among the staff and students of the institute, and members of the public, to enable them to impart valuable skills in the learners they guide and mentor.

In a presentation on ‘Civil Service Reforms,’ the Guest Speaker, Zubairu Abdullahi, said the service has been the most stable arm of government since the colonial period.

Abdullahi is the Director, Special Duties, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education.

Highlighting some key reforms in the service, Abdullahi said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration centred on 23 deliverables, adding that, ‘NTI under Maitafsir has already queued in, especially in areas of innovation and technology”.

He said that capacity building, performance management function, IPPIS human resource component and innovation, are among other pillars of the reforms.

He said, “by developing standard operating procedures to track performance of staff, everybody must contribute, specifically on innovation, think outside the box, life is easy if technology is embraced”.

On prioritising staff welfare as part of the pillars of the reforms, Abdullahi stressed the need for good staff welfare to encourage performances.

While urging the staff to support of the present management of the institute, Abdullahi added that, “loyalty is key”.

In his second paper presentation titled: “Agriculture as a more productive and profitable retirement plan,” Abdullahi underscored the imperative of agriculture in improving the economic status of workers.

He further highlighted the values and good farming practices in crop and livestock productions.

Also speaking, Dr Oyedeji Omobola, the Director, Academic Services Department, NTI, said the institute had advanced its mission towards elevating the standard of teacher education and professional development under Maitafsir stewardship.

She said the institute was getting to its peak propelled by the Maitafsir’s commitment to innovation, excellence and empowerment of educators.

This, she said transformed the institute into a beacon of knowledge and growth, and commended the staff for their support.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani