37th AANI: Gen. Onoja raises the bar

Last weekend could very well pass for a weekend of great crowd-pulling events of national importance. What with the triple national events of the commissioning of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Coronation of Prof James Ayatse as the 5th Tor Tiv, at the JS Tarka stadium Gboko and the 37th Annual General Meeting of Almuni Association of the National Institute (AANI) at Kuru, Jos. Two of the events were of total commitment for me by both invitation (OBJ Library!) as well as personal planning and coordination (with respect to AANI AGM). Yours comradely was part of the former National Executive Council (NEC) of AANI mandated to present the former former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun OBASANJO with AANI TOWARDS A BETTER SOCIETY AWARD in recognition of the vision to set up NIPSS in 1979 and as a mark of his birthday at 80. No serious student of history would suffer a fatigue going through thought provoking chronologically assembled items of the past in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. Having been privileged to visit the library twice before, another visit at the formal commissioning, would enrich and nurture the memory. But for my total unavoidable commitment to the organization of 37th AANI AGM! As a member of the National Institute and former Secretary General, I bear witness that the last Onoja-led Executive (2013 to 2017) had raised the bar of achievements in accountability, service delivery, internal democracy and innovations in the running of AANI. In the last four years, all delegates agreed there was no dull moment in working towards a better Nigeria in line with AANI’s motto with appreciation to committed members and wellwishers who have supported the hosting of various activities of the Association. The leadership truly did promise to reinvent AANI and it truly did reinvent AANI. Details of the activities Report of the Secretary

General, covered welfare of members spread of chapters, innovations such as AANI quarterly journal, AANI visibility and network with ally AANI such as Alumni of Defence College (ANDEC). On welfare, the former President of AANI, General Onoja rtd) recalled (with appreciation by all!) the case of a female member in Ekiti state whose job was threatened by the state governor on account of alleged disrespect. He had personally intervened for the governor to reverse his decision and member’s job got secured. There was a also a reinvention of the values of appreciation and recognition of past leaders as well as remembrance and tributes to scores of late members, the notable being the late Hadjia Menunat Abdullahi, mni of SEC 38, 2016, a permanent Secretary in Niger State who died last year on the eve of the graduation day. Hadjia Menunat Abdullahi received a posthumous TOWARDS A BETTER SOCIETY award. The highpoints of the AGM were the presidential address and elections of new officers for the next two years. Onoja’s speech reaffirmed the AANI objectives and urged members to rededicate to greater national ideals of service and patriotism. According to him AANI “badge of Honour” represents, Service, Patriotism and Commitment towards a Better Society. He said at 40 (which is just in 2 years!) AANI should critically evaluate its performance through an objective SWOT analysis. According to him AANI’s objectives are clear to majority of members adding that despite the challenges AANI has made and indeed making progress.

“Despite the callings of nature in forms of old age and incapacity and even inevitable deaths, AANI has remained ever active. Of course there is room for improvement. AANI is work in progress. The Crest of the Alma-mater is adopted as the logo of the Association which consists of a wheel with cogs surmounted by the Nigerian Coat of arms and surrounded laurels. Let no member put a clog in the wheel of this logo. On the contrary we must be like laurels that surrounded and protect it. To take to the next level, we must acknowledge what has been done in the past and avoid mutually unhelpful smear, suspicion and even innuendos. We are distinguished Members of the National Institute not permanent doubting Thomases about what have been achieved by people we freely elected. The cup is far from being filled but the cup is not empty either. The mass enthusiasm for participation at this AGM is further evidence that AANI matters!” he said.

He observed that it was in recognition that “AANI is work in progress” and not an event, the Exco deliberately chose to appreciate the founding members that have built out of nothing and subsequent leaders who have added verifiable values to AANI institutional building.

And true to the admonition of AANI former President, distinguished members conducted free and fair elections consistent with AANI traditions. At the end of the keenly conducted elections, conducted by the returning officers chaired by the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Engineer Boboye Oyeyemi, the following members as the National Executive Officers of the Association were elected; Bolaji Khaleel, (President); Dankani I. Aisha, (Vice President); Dr. Usman Nasirdeen (Secretary General); Bello Simpa Abdulmummni (Assistant Secretary General); Akadiri Olugbem (Treasurer); Onitiju Ademola (Legal Adviser); Amb. Mbonu Christy (Welfare/Social Secretary); Onyeisi Ogbonna Sam (Publicity Secretary); Tama Gambo (Internal Auditor) and Omoniyi Fagbemi (Financial Secretary).