By Sumaila Ogbaje
Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has charged Alumni Association of Army War College Nigeria (AWCN) to position themselves as a strategic platform for collaboration, policy influence and doctrinal development.
Buratai, also a former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, gave the charge at the inauguration of the Alumni Association on Thursday in Abuja.
He described the association as a deliberate and timely step towards preserving institutional memory, ensuring strategic continuity, and building a professional military network anchored on shared values and vision.
According to him, through this platform, the cross-fertilisation of ideas, mentorship, peer learning, and strategic dialogue will be formalised, structured and sustained.
Buratai urged the alumni to uphold the core values of loyalty, professionalism, innovation and selfless service.
He added that their roles would be central to tackling Nigeria’s dynamic and complex security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency, transnational crime, cyber threats and information warfare.
Citing global examples, Buratai noted that alumni associations of similar institutions across the world had made significant contributions to military professionalism, policy advocacy, and veteran welfare.
He referenced the United States Army War College Alumni Association’s role in strategic studies, the Royal College of Defence Studies Alumni’s global mentorship links, Germany’s alumni-driven defence cooperation, and Australia’s veteran transition support.
“In India, the National Defence College Alumni contribute directly to shaping strategic policy.
“You must look beyond the Nigerian context and adopt best practices that will strengthen our national defence and regional stability,” he said.
The former COAS commended the commandant, faculty members and staff of AWCN for their vision and dedication, as well as the founding members of the alumni association for uniting past and present graduates.
“It is my hope that the association will thrive, endure and inspire while fulfilling the aspirations of its founding fathers,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the college, established in 2017, trains senior military officers and security professionals from Nigeria and allied nations, preparing them for key command, staff and policy-making positions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)