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The journey so far
Being speech by the Secretary General
It is no gainsaying that the Alumni Association has come a long way
from the days it was considered a private club of the elite and "Mafia Nigeria Incorporated". The Association boasts of men and women of distinction from past Presidents of Nigeria and their Deputies to Career
Ambassadors, Civil Servants, Distinguished Senators, Labour Leaders, Professionals and Captains of Industry. In the academia, the Association boasts of erudite Professors and Scholars. The media has also had its fair
share of representation. With such a distinguished membership, the Association is well braced to provide the platform for transformation of Nigeria to a better society.
From its humble beginnings, with General DM
Jemibewon as its Founding President, AANI has been led successfully by the following Presidents, M. Danmadami, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, AVM M. Yahaya all of Course 1. Gen. JT Useni of Course 3 followed and handed over
to Prince J. Adelusi-Adeluyi of Course 12.
The present National Executive Committee assumed office in March 1999 and has successfully run two terms terminating March 2003. Activities were upbeat during this
tenure and the Exco was able to finalise on the Permanent Secretariat project, which is expected to be delivered in the year 2003. A website was also created for the Association to enable greater interaction among
members. The publication of mni is also a notable feature of this administration to enable collation, crystallisation and consolidation of ideas for nation building. The second edition of the membership directory is in
print updated to Senior Executive Course 24.
The future of AANI remains bright with the new global economic order. Its role must remain focussed to provide policy and strategic direction for Nigeria as its
Think-Tank. Interaction with other International Policy and Strategic Institutions will ensure capacity building on topical global issues. The development of AANI centre in Abuja for research and development in areas of
policy, strategy and democracy is a step in the right direction considering the enormous human resources available to the Association.
To continue to sustain the interest of its members in the years ahead, AANI
should establish a benevolent fund to take care of the welfare of members. This fund is long overdue and can be easily oversubscribed by well-meaning members and their associates.
It is our hope that the modest
achievements of this and previous administrations of AANI will serve as the necessary elixir and impetus to future administrations in the task of making Nigeria a better society.
Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, FNSE, mni
Secretary General
AANI
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF AANI AT THE 23RD AANI
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ON 1ST MARCH 2003
AT THE MAIN AUDITORIUM, NIPSS KURU, JOS
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 23rd Annual General Meeting of our Association. The 22nd Annual General Meeting was held on the 2nd of March 2002. That meeting was relatively well attended
considering the environment prevailing in the polity, and the fact that it was not an election year. During the course of that Annual General Meeting, we commiserated with the Government and People of Plateau State over
the fire incident that razed the ultra modern Market in Jos. May the Almighty grant them the courage and fortitude to bear the loss.
Equally devastating in the course of the year was the death of our amiable
Director General Gen. Joe Garba. He will be sadly missed. His indelible contributions to the growth of the National Institute will remain cherished. During his tenure, the relationship between the Institute and AANI
developed to an unprecedented level of co-operation and support. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
The environment which we have had to contend with in the last year has been characterised by ethnic
clashes, insecurity and dwindling economic fortunes. One or several of these inclement situations have in one way or the other affected some of our members. We give thanks to Almighty for sparing our lives to see this
Annual General Meeting. You will recall that at the 21st Annual General Meeting, the present National Executive Council was returned to office for a second term with a few adjustments in its composition. The tenure of
this Executive Council lapses at this AGM and therefore not renewable. In line with the constitution, some members may wish to offer themselves for re-election in other capacities. I wish to seize this opportunity on
behalf of the entire Executive Council to thank the Annual General Meeting for the confidence it has reposed in the National Executive Council, and to thank you all for giving us the opportunity to serve the Association.
AANI Secretariat
The temporary Secretariat at Area 1, Section 1 at Garki, Abuja has remained upbeat. The Secretariat has an Administrative Secretary in the person of Mallam Haruna Lawan, whose tenure
unfortunately lapses with this outgoing Executive Council. A few of the renovations and equipping that was earlier proposed for the Secretariat has been shelved in view of the considerable progress currently being made
with regard to the Permanent Secretariat at Abuja.
However, I must say once again that for an effective Secretariat to impact positively on the Association, a more permanent arrangement in terms of staffing will
be required. You will recall my recommendation at the last Annual General Meeting for an Executive Secretary to run a vibrant Secretariat. I still feel that this will be a major step in the right direction towards
uplifting the status of the Association; moreso now that our dream of a Permanent Secretariat will soon be realized.
AANI Permanent Secretariat/Building Committee
The Building Committee under the
chairmanship of General AK Adisa has performed wonderfully with regard to the building of the Permanent Secretariat.
The agreement concluded with Nahman Construction Company (original contractors) for the
development of the Secretariat on mutually acceptable terms would provide the third floor for use of AANI as a Secretariat and Conference Hall. The Secretariat was expected to be delivered before this Annual General
Meeting, unfortunately, due to inclement economic situation, characterized by high interest rates the delivery has been shifted till later this year. What is gratifying is that the contractor has returned to site and
promised to continue execution till completion of the project.
I wish on your behalf, to congratulate the committee headed by General AK Adisa and the Secretary Mr. W.O. Odudu and other members for a job well
done. This Secretariat Project when completed will enhance the image of the Association and provide greater interaction with members and the public.
NIPSS Library Project
You will recall my report to the
22nd Annual General Meeting on the donation by AANI to the NIPSS Library project. In addition, to the N2m donated by AANI, other members of the Association added N3m at the Launching making a total of N5m from the
Association and its members. Those of you who have had the opportunity to go round the Institute will notice that the Project is nearing completion, a clear indication that the funds have been judiciously utilized.
Members who still have donations can contact the Secretariat or the Institute.
Graduation of SEC 24
The Annual Graduation Ceremony was held on Friday 23rd November 2002. Fifty participants of SEC 24 were
presented with Certificates by the Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON. At the same occasion, they were equally inducted into the Association by the President who presented them with Certificates of Membership
of AANI and other memorabilia.
There was an opportunity at the close of the ceremonies for a dialogue between members of the Association and the Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON.
As part of the
graduation activities, members of the Association attended the Distinguished Annual Lecture delivered by Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, mni represented by Gen. John Sagaya. The topic was "Ethnic
nationalities and the Nigerian State: The Dynamics and challenges of Governance in a plural Nigeria". The Graduation Dinner was equally well attended by members of the Association.
Zonal Activities
Inactivity in the Zones necessitated the National Executive Council at its April 2001 meetings to request all Zones to organize their Annual General Meetings with a view to strengthening their leadership and rekindling
interest of members in the Association. The Secretariat is able to report some success in some zones as a result of this impetus.
Abuja Zone
The Zone at its Annual General Meeting returned the Executive
Committee under the Chairmanship of Alhaji M.B. Yesufu. The Zone organized a Dinner on 28th of February 2002 to welcome new members to the Zone. The level of activities and visits has improved in Abuja.
ii.Benin Zone
Under the chairmanship of Surveyor A. Umoru, the Zone has continued to sustain interest of members by holding regular meetings and visits.
iii.Lagos Zone
The Lagos Zone benefited
immensely from the impetus of the National Executive Council. The Zone headed by Maj. Gen. TOB Ajana (Rtd) have organized quite a number of activities since its inauguration. We thank them for their commitment in this
behalf.
iv.Ibadan Zone
The Zone has become vibrant with a new Executive headed by Maj. Gen. Sunny Tuoyo (Rtd). Meetings are now being held regularly and they are finalising arrangements to secure their
Secretariat, which was earlier under threat of revocation.
v.Port Harcourt Zone
The Zone under the Chairmanship of Chief I.D. Nwoga is beginning to wake-up. We wish them more efforts in this direction.
vi.Enugu Zone
The Chairman of the Zone, Hon. Justice K.K. Keazor has continued to provide leadership and the Zone is waxing stronger. Regular meetings are held and courtesy calls and visits are made from time
to time.
vii.Kaduna Zone
The Chairman Gen. Sunny Ifere (Rtd) has continued to experience difficulties in getting members to attend meetings.
vii.Sokoto Zone
The Chairman, Alhaji K. Aliyu has
continued to show interest in the affairs of the Association. However, the Zone has not been able to organise activities despite the interest shown by some members.
ix.Bauchi Zone
The Chairman, Alhaji
Hassan Ahmed II is still reporting lack of interest by members to attend meetings. The Zone is called upon to review their programmes in view of their strategic location to the National Institute. Ideally, the Zone is
expected to host the Association at any of its various functions taking place in Jos. This has not been the case in recent times.
x.Borno Zone
The Zone has practically gone into coma. The Chairman Alhaji
Z.L. Mamadi sent a letter of resignation due to frustration and lack of interest by members. He was requested to organise an Annual General Meeting for an effective and smooth transition/handover. We are yet to be
appraised of any development from the Zone. I wish to request members of the Zone present at Annual General Meeting to rise to the challenge and resuscitate and rejuvenate this once vibrant Zone. In fact the last
activity in this zone was the Annual Dinner of 1999.
Finances
The Honourable Treasurer will render the details of the finances of the Association. Suffice for me to add that the subscriptions and annual
dues are beginning to come in from the various Zones. The Financial Secretary is making efforts to collect these dues with some success. In addition, other forms of endownment should be considered, otherwise the
Association will continue to experience difficulties in running smoothly.
Obituary
In the course of the year, we received with sadness the passing away of the following
members of the Association.
(i)Maj. Gen. Charles Ndiomu-Course 3
(ii)Mr. Ralph Opara-Course 4
(iii)Maj. Gen. Joseph Nanven Garba-DG, NIPSS
These are the ones made known to the Secretariat; we wish
the souls of all departed perfect peace.
I wish to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve the Association two terms as the Secretary General. I wish the in-coming Exco more successes.
Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, FNSE, mni
Secretary General
March 2003
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