AIAE earns ENABLE, IDRC’S commendation

African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE) has been given a pat on the back for commitment to its vision and robust growth in research, networking and using its approaches to advance policy issues. The Institute was also applauded for making itself a role model among its peers.

This commendation was given by the delegates of Enhancing Nigerian Advocacy for a Business Environment (ENABLE) and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) who visited the Institute recently. Mr Diakalia Sanogo, IDRC Senior Programme Monitoring Officer who came for monitoring and evaluation purpose noted that the Institute was doing well based on different IDRC monitoring tools which was independently conducted between 11th November to 20th April, 2010. The survey, according to him, was carried out among the 24 Think Tanks grantees, adding that the exercise was the hallmark of the Think Tank Initiative Policy Community Survey Africa of the IDRC.

Mr. Sanogo particularly expressed delight at the Institute’s relationship with the media which he said, “ has made your visibility very robust compare with other Think Tanks in the West African sub region”. He stressed that AIAE website had been seen to be properly updated, urging the Institute not to relent on its oars which would make it to continue enjoy the opportunities offered by IDRC.  

He described Prof. Eboh as a visionary leader, whose starling leadership qualities have rubbed off on the staff for excellent performance. “I observed an impressive level of commitment of the staff and their will to contribute to the achievement of the vision, missions and objectives of the Institute. Your leadership has been able to induce a spirit of evaluative thinking”, Mr Diakalia noted.

Professor Eric Eboh, the Institute’s Executive Director dedicated the success recorded by the AIAE to its hardworking staff, saying the Institute would continue to forge ahead so that it could surpass the present position. He thanked Mr Sanogo for the commendation and promised that AIAE would continue to measure up to the expectation. He disclosed that the Institute was presently working on Monitoring and Evaluation policy document which would be a veritable yardstick to measure performance. He added that the policy would be domiciled in the Communications and Relations Unit of the Institute for implementation.

In a related development, the ENABLE crew led by Mr Henry Ademola said his organisation was ready to work with AIAE in the area of advancing advocacy issues, and particularly averred that ENABLE had made it a matter of priority to see to building advocacy for the Institute’s BECANS II research output which would be presented to the stakeholders in Abuja very soon. He charged the Institute to work steadfastly on raising awareness, saying the major area of collaboration with the Institute is in offering technical assistance.