The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has held its 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2021. The event was held, on Saturday, March 6, at the International Conference Centre, in Abuja.
National Publicity Secretary of AANI, Brig. -Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman mni (rtd), in a statement, said during his welcome address, President of the association, IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (rtd), thanked members for finding their commitment to the Association as manifested in the large turnout.
Gen. Usman (rtd) said the AANI boss also noted that the last two years were very challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted negatively on the Association as it also lost some of its members. “He, however, stated that the Association took advantage of the pandemic and assisted the less privileged in the society. He mentioned that the Association had registered the AANI Cooperative Society, which is for members’ benefit.”
The 41st AGM went down in history as one of the AGM with the highest turnout of members since its inception. Minutes of the 40th meeting were deliberated upon and adopted.
Similarly, various Executive Committee members and the Auditors presented reports to congress for consideration and adoption before the EXCO dissolution. After that, the meeting nominated the Electoral Committee, headed by Engr. Jani Ibrahim, for a general election.
In a hitch-free but keenly competed election, the incumbent president, Ex-IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubakar mni was returned unopposed.
In contrast, Amb. Emmanuel Obi Okafor was elected Vice President, having scored the highest vote against Air Commodore Ademola Onituju (rtd). Alhaji Abubakar Ismaila Isah defeated Dr. Gado Shehu to emerge as Secretary-General, while Dr. Kayode Moses Babatunde, was elected Assistant Secretary-General, having higher votes against Doctor Ogbonna Onyeisi.
Barr. (Mrs.) Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade was also elected Legal Adviser, defeating Barr. Emmanuel Cobham. Dr. Asheikh Maidugu, of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, was elected Financial Secretary of the Association, having polled more votes than Mrs. Maryamu Laka Madami, the Chairman of Kaduna State and Mrs. Olayinka Patunola-Ajayi. In the same vein, Mr. Salawu Zubairu was elected Internal Auditor, having scored more votes against Mr. Babatunde Abdurrahman.
Brig. -Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman mni (rtd), a former Director of Army Public Relations, was elected as Publicity Secretary of the Association, having scored more votes against two contestants; Amb. (Mrs.) Christy Mbonu and Mrs. Omolara Balogun. Alhaji Ismail Umar Sifawa mni and Chief (Mrs.) Love Ezema were elected unopposed as Treasurer and Welfare/Social Officer, respectively.
Before the elections, each of the candidates had two minutes to speak to the congress on why they wanted to contest and what they would do if elected to make impressive presentations.
The 41st AANI AGM was well attended as we had in attendance members of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 7, 8, 9 and 10 who drew thunderous standing ovations.
During his inaugural address, after the inauguration of the new EXCO, the President, IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (rtd) NPM, thanked all for the confidence in him and the new EXCO which he said would commence work in earnest and assured members of a high-quality leadership towards a better society.
He also thanked Nigerians and the media for their immense support and assured that AANI would continue to work towards a better society in Nigeria.
AANI members from various parts of the country attended both the 41st AGM and general elections, cutting across different professional callings and other endeavours in life. Among them was His Eminence, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, whom Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara represented, Kanwan Katsina II, the District Head of Ketare, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed A. Adamu, who was represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police David Folawiyo mni, the Acting Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Brig.-Gen. CU Udaya (rtd), Dr. Pat Eze, Comrade Ayuba Wabba and Comrade Isa Aremu, amongst others.