The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has emphasized the crucial role of policy makers and security experts in fostering sustainable national development. He made this call at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), held at the NIPSS Main Auditorium in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State.

In a statement signed by Personal Assistant to the Honourable Minister on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali, Badaru highlighted the significant progress made by the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, in combating insecurity across the nation. “We have achieved meaningful strides in dismantling terrorist and bandit cells, neutralizing hundreds of insurgents and their key leaders,” he stated. Mati Ali noted that the Minister urged the AANI to enhance its advocacy efforts and support for national security reforms.

The Minister stressed that the collective expertise of the Association’s members is vital for building a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria. As a proud alumnus of SEC 28/2006, Badaru expressed gratitude to the AANI Executive Committee for their unwavering commitment to national service. He called upon all members to reaffirm their dedication to the Association’s ideals and collaborate towards a better society and a brighter future for the nation. “The collective expertise of its members is vital to building a united, secure, and prosperous Nigeria,” Badaru emphasized.

The event was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, and AANI President, Amb. Emmanuel Obi Okafor. Other notable attendees included top public officials, security chiefs, royal fathers, and members of the Institute’s alumni drawn from across the country.

Themed “Towards a New Nigeria,” the meeting provided a platform for critical reflections on AANI’s strategic role in advancing national development. Mati Ali further noted that the AGM would feature a keynote lecture and an interactive session, followed by plenary deliberations on matters of national interest and the advancement of the Association.