Although it is not clear what sort of power they specialise in exercising, the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) is certainly a centre of power in Nigeria. As such, it is news when they gather to new Executive Committee (EXCO) members.
And this is what they have just done Saturday, June 24th, 2023 at its 43rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru-Jos in Plateau State.
A list of the winners and losers from the contest is out in a statement to that effect by Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni. According to the traditional title holder of the Sarkin Yakin Kanwan Katsina, the following was the outcome:
The handing and taking over from MD Abubakar, a former IGP and out-going president to Amb Okafor, his successor
Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni, a retired diplomat, secured the position of President with 114 votes. He defeating Muyiwa Odejayi, mni, who received 91 votes. Ambassador Okafor has Mrs Olufunke Amos who was elected unopposed as Vice President. Abubakar Ismail Isa, mni FCNA, won the position of Secretary General with 107 votes, surpassing Rear Admiral Elkannah Oyeleye Jaiyeola (rtd) mni, who obtained 96 votes.
Similarly, Dr. Babatunde Moses Kayode, mni, whose case is one of returned unopposed as Assistant Secretary General, the same with the National Publicity Secretary, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd) mni. Mrs Maryamu Laka Madami, mni, was also elected unopposed as Financial Secretary.
There is a new National Treasurer in Alhaji Samaila Umar Sifawa, mni CNA, who polled 141 votes to defeat Omoniyi O. Fagbemi, mni, who got 60 votes. Doctor (Mrs) Favour Ngozi Ugwuanyi, mni FCISM, who got 168 votes, was elected as Welfare/Social Welfare Secretary of the association against that of the incumbent, Chief (Mrs) Love Ezema, mni FCIPM who got 33 votes.
Tijjani Inuwa Dutse, mni, clinched the position of Legal Adviser with 96 votes, defeating Oluwatosin Bodunde, mni and Gloria Ekaete, who got 54 and 49 votes, respectively. Dr Nurudeen Abba Abdullahi mni was also elected unopposed as Internal Auditor.
Engineer MK Umar mni, a former President of the association served as the chairperson of the electoral umpire at the election along with other electoral committee members which were Hajiya Aisha Dankani, mni, Rear Admiral FO Isaac mni, Doctor Effiok Archibong mni and Mallam MB Saleh.
The newly elected EXCO members have since been sworn-in by Hajiya Aisha Dankani, mni, a former Vice President of AANI. there are no hints of protestations of electoral irregularities or anyone told to ‘go to court’ afterwards. That could suggest that serving as a beacon of discursive practices such as credible elections might be the sort of influence the AANI exercises on the country.
In any case, this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) had the theme of “Building Synergy with Stakeholders towards a Better Society,”. The Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, declared open the AGM which Kukasheka’s statement said provided a platform for discussions on various issues concerning the welfare of the members, national development, peace, security, and socioeconomic matters.
