By TINA TIMOTHY

The Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI) has said that it is deeply concerned over the country’s growing insecurity, violent extremism, and ethno-religious crisis, especially as we approach the 2023 general elections.

Consequently, the group is inviting its members, all stakeholders, as well as the media to a one-day High-Level Conference to discuss Nigeria’s National Unity, with the theme, “Nigeria’s National Unity in the buildup to the 2023 General Elections”, on Tuesday September 20, 2022, by 9.00 am, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

AANi extended the invitation via a press statement dated September 14, 2022, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Brigadier-General Sani Usman Kukasheka (Rtd), who is also the Sarkin Yakin Kanwan Katsina.

According to AANI, the conference is expected to interrogate the circumstances that led to the present national challenges and proffer appropriate recommendations and implementation strategies.

The statement reads: “Concerned with the apparent divisive tendencies in the country, the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (AANI), will be hosting a one day High-Level Conference to discuss Nigeria’s National Unity, with the theme, “Nigeria’s National Unity in the buildup to the 2023 General Elections”.

“The Conference comes up on Tuesday 20th September 2022, by 9.00 am, at the Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre, Abuja.

“The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, will declare the conference open, while a renowned elder statesman, a former Chief of Defence Staff, and former Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Peacekeeping, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), will be the Keynote Speaker. The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is the Chairman of AANI Heritage Council, will be the Royal Father of the Day and Mallam Mohammed Musa Bello, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, is the Chief Host.

“Other prominent Nigerians expected to attend include, the Executive Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Professor Babagana Umara Zullum, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Executive Governor of Jigawa State, other State Governors, members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, and eminent Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, as well as all members of AANI, among others.

“Since its establishment in 1979, AANI has been a reservoir and Think-Tank on Public Policies in Nigeria. As one of the foremost stakeholders in the Nigerian State, we are deeply concerned over the country's growing insecurity, violent extremism, and ethno-religious crisis, especially as we approach the 2023 General Elections. This underscores the need to interrogate the circumstances that led to the present national challenges and proffer appropriate recommendations and implementation strategies.”

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