Kuru and a Better Society

There is a received wisdom, which says; “Well-informed alumni can be powerful ambassadors for their alma maters in the civic and larger society”. As the outgoing two-term elected Secretary General, and a member of the National Institute of Senior Executive Course 27 of 2005, yours comradely bears witness that the story of the Alumni Association of the National Institute ( AANI), Kuru Jos confirms the validity of this received wisdom. All is set for the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled to hold on Saturday 4th of March 2017 at NIPSS Kuru, Jos. The Federal Government in 1979 established the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State. The Institute was conceived as a high-level centre institution with the primary objectives of serving as the nation’s foremost policy Institute, developing a crop of top-class technocrats of high intellectual capacity, who will conceptualize and anchor the implementation of innovative and dynamic policy initiatives and strategies critical for national development.

So far over a thousand policies research papers have been commendably generated from NIPSS. The Institute has successfully run 38 Senior Executive Courses (SEC) after about 38 years of existence and has graduated close to 2000 members who are members of the National Institute and naturally members of AANI. AANI’s Membership list includes former Heads of State, serving and past governors, heads of public service agencies, Customs service, military, para-military, traditional leaders, members of organized labour and organized private sector as well as the civil society. Others are serving and past top level executives from the Banking and financial sector, the presidency, states and local governments and the academia. AANI AGM at 37 is a celebration of human capital formation. The main objectives of AANI include; protection of the welfare of members, serving as a think-tank to all levels of government; establishing the means of contributing objectively to national discourse on any issues affecting the positive development of Nigeria and proffer appropriate recommendation and implementation strategies to the Governments and promoting the noble ideals of the National Institute as embodied in its motto: “Towards a Better Society”; and interacting with the Federal, States and Local governments and other organisations or associations, with similar objectives. Major- General (rtd) Lawrence A. Onoja, mni, of Senior Executive Course (SEC 12) 1990 is the 10th President of AANI elected with popular votes in a keenly contested free and fair election at the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at NIPSS Kuru in March 2013. He was re-elected for a second term at the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday March 7th, 2015. Other duly elected National Officers include; Dr. Garba Usman Tetengi, Ph.D, SAN, mni, Vice President, Comrade Issa Aremu, Bsc, MA, NPOM, mni, Secretary General, Mrs. Nghargbu Maryamu Patricia, mni, Assistant Secretary General and Mrs. Comfort Olu Eyitayo, CFA, FCA, mni Treasurer.

The best overall participant of the Senior Executive Course (SEC 12) in 1990, recipient of the Head of State (Ibrahim Babangida mni) Award as well as the SEC monitor General, Maj. General (rtd) Lawrence A. Onoja, mni has commendably taken AANI to the higher level for a better Nigeria.

He has consolidated on the achievements of past eminent presidents that included the pioneer President Man-Gen (rtd) David Jemibewon, CFR, mni (1982 – 1984), Alhaji M. DanMadami, mni (1984 – 1988), Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, mni (1988 – 1990), AVM (rtd) M. Yahaya, mni (1990 – 1994), Lt. Gen. (rtd) J.T. Useni CFR, mni (1994 – 1999), Prince J. Adelusi-Adeluyi, OFR, mni (1999 – 2003), Engr. M.B. Yesufu, mni (2003 – 2005) m Engr. M.G. Umar, mni (2005 – 2009), and immediate past President Engr. Jani Ibrahim, OON, mni (2009 – 2013). Upon assumption of office in March 2013 and guided by the noble objectives of AANI, Onoja-led Executive immediately came up with programme of action aimed at consolidating on past achievements and taking AANI to a higher level through activities and initiatives that include; promotion of the members’ welfare improvement through solidarity and support for AANI members, consistent demand for the appointment of Members to strategic positions in the country towards better society with visible results, dissemination of information on issues affecting members namely promotion, appointments, book launches and other social events, seeking the continued support, guidance and blessings of the Heritage Council and Board of Patrons which include General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR, mni, His Eminence, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III mni, Sultan of Sokoto (Chairman), His Royal Majesty (HRM), Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, mni, Obi of Onitsha, HRM, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Aremu Akiolu mni, Oba of Lagos, HRM Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar mni, Emir of Gwandu, HRM Alhaji Sani Sami, mni Emir of Zuru, HRM Alhaji Ahmed Hassan II, mni Emir of Nasarawa, HRM Orhue Felix Mujakperuo, mni Orodje of Kopie . Onoja led executive has commendably re- activated new AANI State Chapters and empowered those already active introduced yearly AANI Reunion Day.

The highpoint has been the visibility of AANI through engagement with all tiers of government, media briefings and constructive policy suggestions as well as Renovation of AANI Secretariat. To this end AANI successfully held an unprecedented Special Town Hall Meeting/Policy Dialogue on “Effective Implementation of the 2016 Budget” in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Tuesday August 9th, 2016 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. The Town Hall meeting which was in furtherance of the noble objectives of AANI towards better society featured eight ministers of the Federal Republic. Another innovation is the proposed TOWARDS A BETTER SOCIETY AWARD to members and non- members alike who have added value to the growth and development of a better Nigeria.

The highpoint of which is the election of new national executive members to pilot the affairs of the Association in the coming years. Significantly, AANNI has added its weighty voice for security, democracy, development and good governance in Nigeria and Africa in the last four years. AANI 37th AGM is also a celebration of both leadership and institution building in Africa with all the challenges that come with them.

• Comrade Aremu (mni) is the Secretary-General of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.