The Alumni Association of the National Defence College Nigeria (AANDEC) has inaugurated its newly elected National Executive Committee (EXCO) to run the affairs of the body in the next two years.
This was one of the highlights of the organisation’s 12th Annual General Meeting held at the National Defence College Abuja on Saturday 3rd August 2019.
The event which was chaired by the pioneer President of AANDEC, Air Vice Marshal MN Umaru (rtd) had in attendance eminent AANDEC personalities including the former Commandant of National Defence College and one time President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral AG Adedeji (rtd) and the organisation’s Board of Trustee members.
In his welcome address, the immediate past President of the Alumni Association, Brigadier General JN Temlong (rtd) said AANDEC was primed, to among other things, foster unity of purpose among members in addressing growing insecurity in the nation and to enable them offer their research skills and practical knowledge in support of current efforts towards tackling myriads of national security challenges.
He said the scholarly contributions of members of the Association have, no doubt, enriched the quality of curriculum of the Defence College.
Brig Gen Temlong maintained that it is instructive to note that the Association has been engaging relevant stakeholders, heads of security agencies and the leadership of the Armed Forces in finding solutions to the issues of appropriate and functional deployment of strategies in tackling insurgency, terrorism, vandalism, and other emerging security threats in the country.
Speaking further, the General said he is hopeful that the Alumni of the prestigious College would continue to play important roles in shaping the fabric and texture of Nigeria’s security, being umbrella body of men and women who have attended the highest military institution regarded as the think tank for national security.
He therefore, stressed that, with the enormous wealth of experience garnered by members in both military and national security areas, the body is eminently positioned to assist the Federal Government and indeed the military in formulating national policies and programmes for the benefit of the country.
The immediate past President of the Association, revealed that the body has made tremendous impact in the area of robust interface with relevant stakeholders including heads of national security organisations and noted especially that the publication of a research digest called ‘Constructive Engagement’ has brought critical areas of security engagement which will no doubt assist the Government in tackling our security challenges.
He noted that the task of enhancing security is a collective responsibility which the body was established to project and called on all citizens to support the war against insurgency and terrorism in the country.
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The newly elected President of AANDEC, Maj Gen Garba Audu (rtd) said the new EXCO intends to lay out measures “to seek partnership with the Government and stakeholders in areas of national policy formulation, make positive impact on our security architecture, develop programmes with creative value chains that will attract the attention of the government, private sectors and Non-Government Organizations (NGO).”
While appreciating the members of the body for the confidence reposed in the new EXCO, the new AANDEC President averred that his leadership would also seek ways and means to get openings and secure for interesting AANDEC members, work placements at national, state and private sector levels.
He praised the out gone leadership of AANDEC under Brig Gen JN Temlong (rtd) for their tireless efforts in uplifting the body, “especially in the areas of positive image building, Security Awareness, Synergy with Armed Forces and National Security Institutions”.
He noted that the new AANDEC EXCO would seek to consolidate on the noble achievements made by the out gone EXCO.
Speaking further, Major General Garba Audu promised to carry all members along in the process of consolidating achievements recorded in the past and in executing new agenda.
“We shall not fail to seek guidance and advice from the out gone EXCO, AANDEC senior members and indeed any AANDEC member we consider can add value to our evolution”, he reiterated.
According to him, the aspirations of the new EXCO would be possible by taking cognizance of the enormous reservoir of strategic and administrative knowledge and skills acquired over the years through rigorous training and human development
In his remarks at the event, the Commandant of the National Defence College and Chief Host of the AGM, Rear Admiral Makanjuola Kadiri thanked members of the organisation for pulling their intellectual and financial resources together towards uplifting the image of the College and promised to support the body to enable it achieve it’s noble objectives.
Other newly elected and inaugurated Members of the EXCO include, Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi (rtd) who will serve as Vice President while Brigadier General D Shaljaba (rtd) was elected the National Secretary of the Association.
Others are Brigadier General Ugwu Chima (rtd) is to serve as the new Financial Secretary, Air Commodore D Ladan is the Auditor of the Association while Navy Captain AO Udeagwu (rtd) and Navy Captain TJ Ayerite (rtd) were elected Treasurer and Legal Adviser respectively.
Additionally, Navy Captain Mohammed Wabi emerged as the Publicity Secretary while Asst Corp Marshal Victor Nwokolo was elected as the Asst National Secretary of the Association while Group Captain P Bilal (rtd) is elected the National Organising Secretary.
In the same vein, Brig Gen JN Temlong (rtd) and Air Commodore SA Zakari (rtd) were elected Ex Officio members accordingly.
Mohammed Wabi
Navy Captain
Publicity Secretary
