The National President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, led a team of the National Executive Committee, some ex-Officio and other members of the association to pay a courtesy call on one of the outstanding members of the association and Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, at his office at the Ministry of Defence, Abuja on Wednesday.
Okafor said they were at the Ship House to congratulate the Minister on his well-deserved appointment as Minister.
He commended the government for making the right choice of appointing such a distinguished member of the National Institute as Minister of Defence.
He noted with delight the encouraging and reassuring steps and direction the HMOD has taken thus far since the assumption of office.
He noted with delight that Abubakar has the benefit of having three well-trained and distinguished AANI members in the Ministry: Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary; Major General Ahmed Tijjani Jibrin (retd), Special Adviser Technical; and Dr. Elsie Uduak Onwuhafua Mbuk, Deputy Director Navy.
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He also assured him of AANI’s continuous support to ensure that he succeeds, adding that the ministry is very strategic and therefore will be the focal point of the association in its efforts towards a better society.
He seized the opportunity to request the ministry’s collaboration to host seminars and other training programmes to enhance national unity, peace and security in Nigeria.
The AANI president also solicited the Minister’s support for some of the association’s activities and invited him to the forthcoming AANI Presidential Dinner in honour of graduating members of Senior Executive Course 45 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
Former AANI Presidents, Engineer M. G. Umar and Bolaji Khalil, took turns to present goodwill messages and also eulogise the Minister for his support to AANI.
In his response, Abubakar expressed delight with the visit, saying that he was always happy to be of help to further enhance the association.
He also said that he would partner with the AANI on the seminar and other training programmes, adding that it would be good to make it more robust and all-encompassing by involving the services under his Ministry.
He said that he would attend the AANI presidential Dinner.
Those on the delegation included former AANI Presidents Engineer Mohamed Gambo Umar and Alhaji Bolaji Khalil, and a former Vice President, Hajiya Aisha Dankani.
Also on the entourage were Olufunke Amos, Vice President of the association; Alhaji Abubakar Ismail Isah, Secretary General; Alhaji Tijjani Inuwa Dutse, AANI Legal Adviser; Maryamu Madami Laka, Financial Secretary; Alhaji Samaila Umar Sifawa, Treasurer; Brigadier General S. K. Usman (retd), National Publicity Secretary; Dr. Favour Uguwanyi, Social and Welfare Secretary; Dr. Babatunde Moses Kayode, Assistant Secretary; and Alhaji Nasir Ladan, Director of Administration at the AANI national secretariat.
Also present at the occasion were Brigadier General Habibu Baba Manu, Principal General Staff Officer to the Minister; and Dr. Elsie Uduak Onwuhafua Mbuk, a Deputy Director at the Ministry.
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