PRESS STATEMENT BY THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE (AANI) ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

As Nigeria marks her 65th Independence Anniversary, the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) heartily felicitates with the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Government, and the good people of our great nation.

This historic milestone offers us not only a moment of celebration but also a solemn opportunity for sober reflection. Our journey as a nation has been defined by resilience, diversity, and the unyielding spirit of our people. Yet, it also reminds us of the pressing challenges we must collectively confront—especially the task of securing our land, strengthening our unity, and fulfilling the promise of prosperity for every Nigerian.

AANI commends the gallant efforts of our military, security agencies, and other law enforcement bodies who continue to make immense sacrifices in countering insurgency, banditry, terrorism, and other security challenges across the country. Their courage and commitment to safeguarding our sovereignty and protecting our citizens are deeply appreciated. We, however, urge them to intensify their efforts, adopt innovative approaches, and sustain the momentum until peace and stability are restored in every part of Nigeria.

In the same vein, AANI enjoins the leadership of local governments, state governments, and the federal government to prioritise the safety and security of all citizens and residents. Security is the foundation upon which unity, development, and prosperity rest, and every tier of government must work in synergy with communities, civil society, and security agencies to guarantee it.

AANI believes strongly that national security cannot be the responsibility of the government alone. It requires the collaborative effort of all citizens, institutions, and stakeholders. The task of building a safe, united, and prosperous Nigeria demands that every Nigerian take ownership of the nation’s progress, embrace dialogue over division, and work hand in hand to overcome insecurity and other developmental challenges.

At 65, our unity remains our greatest strength. AANI therefore calls on all Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious, and political differences, and to embrace the values of patriotism, integrity, and service to the common good. In unity and collective resolve, we can defeat the forces that threaten our peace and chart a future worthy of our founding fathers’ dreams.

On behalf of the members of the Alumni Association of the National Institute, I congratulate our dear country and its people on this remarkable anniversary. May Almighty God continue to guide Nigeria’s leaders, protect our nation, and bless us all with enduring peace and progress.

AMBASSADOR EMMANUEL OBI OKAFOR, mni
President, Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI)
Abuja
30 September 2025

Crisis Ignored, Chaos Invited: Nigeria’s Looming Danger.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Nigeria’s Fragile Democracy Faces Its Greatest Test Since 1999″.

The morning begins like any other in Lagos, Kano or Abuja, but the scene is anything but ordinary. A young mother stands in a long queue at the petrol station, clutching her children, while the fuel pump has run dry. In the distance, sirens wail as yet another town suffers a kidnapping or bandit attack. Across the city, politicians board private jets, oblivious to the hardships grinding ordinary Nigerians into despair. This is not fiction, it is the daily reality of a nation teetering on the edge. History tells us that when crises like these fester, the line between instability and outright coup is perilously thin.

The Crisis in Plain Sight.
Nigeria’s crises have intensified dramatically since 2020. Inflation has soared past 34%, wiping out savings and rendering salaries worthless. Unemployment hovers around 40%, leaving millions desperate, disillusioned and prone to unrest. Security Failures (kidnappings, terrorist attacks, banditry) reveal a state unable to protect its citizens.

The government’s response often appears detached, more focused on optics than solutions. Promises of energy reforms, new policies and economic programs routinely fail to materialize, eroding trust. Citizens feel abandoned, security forces feel unsupported and the stage is set for opportunists to exploit the vacuum.

Leadership Missteps Amplify Instability.
The defining characteristic of recent governance is disconnect. Leaders flaunt wealth, travel abroad or engage in symbolic gestures while the masses grapple with hunger, insecurity and uncertainty.

When a government prioritizes propaganda over practical solutions, loyalty (especially among soldiers, bureaucrats and political elites) becomes conditional. History proves this dangerous: weakened governments invite intervention from those with the power and willingness to act, whether for “national stability” or personal ambition.

Military Opportunism in Waiting.
Nigeria’s military has long positioned itself as the ultimate arbiter when civilian leadership falters. The coups of 1966, 1975 and 1983 followed similar patterns: economic hardship, political corruption and rising public frustration.

Today, the combination of:

Soaring unemployment and economic distress

Widespread insecurity and mass protests

Ethnic and regional tensions

Political factionalism and elite infighting

creates conditions ripe for military or opportunistic interventions. Even within civilian circles, fractured loyalties mirror the divisions that historically precede coups.

Clear Warning Signs.
The warning signs are obvious:

Mass Protests: EndSARS in 2020 was only the beginning; ongoing demonstrations over fuel scarcity, electricity tariffs and poor governance reveal widespread dissatisfaction.

Security Collapse: Kidnappings, terrorist attacks and armed banditry highlight the government’s inability to safeguard citizens.

Institutional Weakness: Courts, electoral bodies and anti-corruption agencies are often paralyzed or politically compromised.

Elite Fractures: Infighting within ruling parties and regional discontent further weaken national cohesion.

Unchecked, these indicators do not just predict unrest, they invite power grabs from factions willing to exploit the vacuum.

Comparative Lessons.
Global history offers stark lessons. Myanmar’s 2021 coup followed decades of ethnic conflict, weak governance and ignored crises. Sudan’s 2019 military takeover was triggered by economic collapse and public protests against Omar al-Bashir.

Nigeria, with its ethnic diversity, vast resources and complex political structure, is particularly vulnerable. Weak governments rarely survive without intervention from disciplined actors like the military or from political godfathers seeking power.

Breaking the Cycle: Prevention is Possible.
The trajectory from crisis to coup is predictable, but preventable. Nigeria must act decisively:

Address Root Causes: Economic mismanagement, corruption and inequality cannot be papered over. Policies must deliver tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

Strengthen Institutions: Courts, anti-corruption agencies and electoral bodies must function independently. The military must remain apolitical and disciplined.

Engage Citizens: Civic trust is essential. Transparency, accountability and equitable governance can mitigate unrest.

Monitor Security Forces: Regular audits of morale, loyalty and readiness reduce the likelihood of opportunistic intervention.

Without these measures, Nigeria risks repeating historical cycles of instability, coups and authoritarian backslides.

The Moral Imperative.
Crisis management is a moral duty. Leaders who fail betray citizens and erode the social contract. Citizens, too, bear responsibility: apathy, normalization of dysfunction or tolerance of incompetence strengthens the conditions that invite coups or authoritarian interventions.

A Nation at the Crossroads.
Nigeria is at a pivotal juncture. Crises from 2020–2025 (economic collapse, insecurity, social unrest) are no longer warnings; they are lived realities. The nation must choose vigilance over inertia, reform over stagnation and accountability over opportunism.

History shows that the descent from crisis to coup is neither accidental nor inevitable; it results from neglect, weak governance and moral failure. If Nigeria fails to act, the next chapter may be written not by democrats or reformers, but by opportunists indifferent to suffering, leaving an immeasurable human, economic and moral cost.

….. The Cure for Plaques is altar and Sacrifice- Okafor.

The 3 days family Prophetic and Liberation Program of Grace Nation international aka Liberation City, Not My Head Not My Blood tagged Break Forth 2025 has officially come to close with mind blowing Testimonies of diverse kind, How God visits Family changing and differing medical and spiritual conditions of People’s,among these powerful and biggest testimony is that of a couple whose wedding took place in 2005 and has been waiting unto the Lord for the fruit of the womb, After so many consultation and various efforts without success, they located Grace Nation few years ago and from the Day 1,the couple steps their foot on Grace Nation there story changed for Good.

The Set Man located them and Declared that on these same Land they will bear your own child and has declared few years ago, they couple comes to Not My Head Not My Blood Conference 2025 with the testimony of a Twins, a baby Boy and a baby Girl, God of Grace Nation is awesome.

Teaching on the Conference theme, “Break Forth” with subtitles Breaking Transgenerational Curses to Transgenerational Blessings, The Senior Pastor Grace Nation Global, The Generational Prophet Dr Chris Okafor said you must first understand the Principles of Generational curses, how to work it out and how to deplore higher spirit to break you out of these curses.

The Popular Handsome Lagos Prophet said Until you do according to the spirit directive, you will not get out and also will not get the blessings of the spirit to break forth.

Explain further, The Clergyman said when you raise altars and offer Sacrifices it clears every plague in your life, every Generational Curses in your life clears away permanently.

Also When you are serving God in trust and in Spirit, he will remove all kinds of Plague in your life, wheather, Poverty, sickness, barrenness of all kinds, Promise and failed, Late marriage and many, Henthforth with the knowledge Every plague that will hit you shall be removed says the Generational Prophet.

Therefore to break out of Transgender Curse you must be a true believer who constantly practices all the covenant Principles of Breaking Forth, this will push you into your Transgenerational Blessings, The Apostle of altars, The Generational Prophet Dr Chris Okafor remarked.

The Prophetic movement witnessed various kinds of Miracles, Deliverance, Healing, restoration and Solutions to all problems brought before Elohim.

Child dedication and special thanksgiving session to thank God of Grace Nation for the successful hosting of the 2025 Family Liberation program Not My Head Not My Blood bringing the conference to a close.

The Generational Prophet of God Dr Chris Okafor therefore release Fathers Blessings on all faithful that took part in the 4 days Prophetic conference, He declared that Breakthroughs, shall be evidential in the life of all Grace Nation citizens and all participants across the world, He also used the opportunity to Pray for the leadership of all Africa countries particularly Nigeria, for Gods divine Wisdom and knowledge to do the right things for all its citizens, The Man of God declared that Nigeria will be Great again because God loves Nigeria very well.