AANI felicitates with Nigerians at New Year, preaches patriotism

By Ochiaka Ugwu

The Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has felicitated with Nigerians at New Year urging them to be patriotic in their approach to issue of national interest.

In a press statement released by the association in Abuja yesterday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Sam Ogbonna Onyeisi,mni, it implored Nigerians from all walks of life to be proactive on the issues of national interest especially in this election time.

Onyeisi who is the Chief Image manager of the foremost National Think-Tank noted with pleasure that AANI wants Nigerians to use the opportunity offered by the New Year as the new beginning to be more patriotic and work towards building a sustainable nation that the future Nigerians and humanity will be proud of.

Defining patriotism, Onyeisi said it can be defined as the love and respect for one’s country noting that it involves being a global citizen who contributes towards the peace, happiness and prosperity of all humanity.

Continuing, AANI Image Maker said our country Nigeria is crying for our love through patriotic involvement.

Speaking on the importance of 2019 polls, Onyeisi informed that 2019 is an election year and decision year for Nigerians and it is expected that every Nigerian should fulfill his or her civic responsibility by voting in the general elections.

He stressed the need for Nigerians to make a positive and patriotic choice during 2019 polls which he said will determine the socio-economic development of Nigeria now and in the future. Dr. Onyeisi informed that although AANI is apolitical but shall always offer policy options and implementation strategies towards building a better society in Nigeria and beyond.

Going back memory lane on the activities of AANI, Onyeisi said that in 2018, AANI organized many conferences and National Dialogues, such as National Dialogue on Farmer/Herders Conflicts and on Democratic Stability and National Security.

He said these were done to promote peace, unity and development in Nigeria and assured that AANI will continue to do so in 2019 as its contributions to process of nation building.

According to the statement, “The process of building a sustainable nation that can carter for the well-beings of its citizens and global peace calls for patriotic actions by the citizens” Onyeisi remarked.

“Towards this end, election is an important process that allows citizens to make an informed choice that will determine their future and the future of the next generations. To our patriotic Nigerians, Happy New Year and successful elections in 2019” the statement concluded.