By Stanley Onyekwere
Former Heads of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, have stressed the need for stakeholders to always promote democratic ideals as a national call to duty, for sustainable peace and development of the society.
They made this point at the maiden reunion of the Alumni Association of Senior Executive Course (SEC) 43, 2021 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State.
While Babangida’s goodwill message was read by a member of the course, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, who Director, Department of FCT Development Control, that of Abdulsalami was read by Brig.-Gen. Solomon Inuwa, another member of the course, to their colleagues and few invited family members taht graced the reunion tagged, “Getting Things Done: Embracing Memories, Forging Futures, Reuniting Heats and Forever Entwined with SEC 43, 2021”, held at the weekend, in Abuja.
According to Babangida, stabilising the polity and strengthening democracy in the best way possible for the good of all required collective efforts.
He adds: “We only need to keep reminding ourselves of the magnitude of this national call, since we are all expected to be strategic engineers of a functional socio- political, economic, and democratic order in Nigeria.These benefits will be enjoyed by every Nigerian.
“There is no doubt that you are all achievers as men and women who have made, and continue to make, immense and laudable sacrifices towards national progress.”
Calling on the group to sustain the call for national integrity, he opined that commitment, collective drive, and strategic orientation would serve as a motivation to make Nigeria a unique nation.
“I therefore commend you all on your years of service to the nation and I am convinced that you will not relent in furthering activities set to brighten our democratic ambitions as a country.
“Congratulations on this important move of solidarity and an effort in the promotion of national integrity and cohesion,” he said.
Similarly, in his goodwill message, Abdulsalami noted that Nigeria was facing myriads of challenges, including poverty and insecurity, which would require a multi-disciplinary approach to tackle.
The former head of state called on them to help mainstream the sterling ideas they learnt from NIPS, to help the country pull out of its current disturbing situation.
“I equally urge you to continue to work together as a team in adding value and utility to the Nigeria project.
He said: “The challenges facing Nigeria are complex and cannot be solved by one person or one organisation. We need to work together, in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration to find solutions to these challenges.”
Earlier, the Monitor General of the SEC 43, Col. Mustapha Anka (rtd), who doubles as the coordinator of the group, explained the set graduated from NIPS two years ago and decided to come together to interact and socialise.
Anka added that the reunion was also to fashion out ways to positively impact society in line with the motto of the institute, “Towards a Better Society.”
“We were 85 in number and our membership cut across military, security agencies, private sectors, civil servants among others”, he stressed.
On his part, the Secretary General of the course, Mr. Chukwudi Oracle, who described members SEC 43 as a “think thank” as collectively they have all it takes to enhance growth and development.
According to him, SEC 43 members were experts in different fields, including economics, politics, and social policy.
“We have all it takes to conduct research and provide analysis on a wide range of issues that are important to Nigeria’s development.
“One of the most important things that a think tank can do is to provide policymakers with the information they need to make informed decisions. This is especially important in a country like Nigeria, where there is a great need for evidence-based policy making and implementation,” he said.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the first reunion of the SEC 43, 2021.
