AANI CONSTITUTION

THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL

INSTITUTE (AANI)

1
 CONSTITUTION OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF POLICY AND FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES (AANI)

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE: ......................................................................................................................................................... 1
ARTICLE 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................................................................. 4
ARTICLE 2: AIM AND OBJECTIVES ............................................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP ............................................................................................................................... 5
ARTICLE 4: ORGANS OF THE ASSOCIATION ............................................................................................ 6
ARTICLE 5: THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING/EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING .............. 6
ARTICLE 6: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ..................................................................................... 8
ARTICLE 7: NATIONAL OFFICERS .............................................................................................................. 10
QUALIFICATION AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS .......................................................................................... 11
A PRESIDENT ............................................................................................................................................ 11
B. VICE-PRESIDENT.................................................................................................................................... 12
C. SECRETARY GENERAL;........................................................................................................................... 12
D. ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL: ........................................................................................................ 13
E. TREASURER ........................................................................................................................................... 13
F. FINANCIAL SECRETARY ......................................................................................................................... 14
G. PUBLICITY SECRETARY .......................................................................................................................... 14
H. WELFARE/SOCIAL SECRETARY .............................................................................................................. 15
I. INTERNAL AUDITOR .............................................................................................................................. 15
J. LEGAL ADVISER ..................................................................................................................................... 15
ARTICLE 8: STANDING COMMITTEES/AD-HOC COMMITTEES ........................................................... 16
A. FINANCE COMMITTEE ....................................................................................................................... 16
B. PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE ................................................................................................... 16
ARTICLE 9: PROVISION FOR, AND STATUS OF THE BYE-LAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION ........... 17
ARTICLE 10: ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE FCT AND DIASPORA CHAPTERS................................. 17
ARTICLE 11: DISCIPLINE ............................................................................................................................... 18
ARTICLE 12: FUNDS OF THE ASSOCIATION............................................................................................ 19
ARTICLE 13: FINANCE: ................................................................................................................................... 19
ARTICLE 14: AUDIT ........................................................................................................................................ 22
ARTICLE 15: BOARD OF TRUSTEES ......................................................................................................... 23
ARTICLE 16: THE SEAL OF THE ASSOCIATION .................................................................................... 24
2
ARTICLE 17: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION ............................................................................. 25
SCHEDULES TO THE CONSTITUTION ....................................................................................................... 26
FIRST SCHEDULE............................................................................................................................................ 27
SPECIAL CLAUSE ............................................................................................................................................ 28
SECOND SCHEDULE ...................................................................................................................................... 29
BYE-LAWS ..................................................................................................................................................... 30
1. JOURNALS ......................................................................................................................................... 31
2. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ......................................................................................... 32
3. MEETINGS ......................................................................................................................................... 33
4. AMENDMENT .................................................................................................................................... 34

THIRD SCHEDULE .......................................................................................................................................... 35

STANDING ORDERS ................................................................................................................................... 36
1. ELECTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 37
2. AMENDMENTS:................................................................................................................................. 38

3
We the Alumni of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru,
Jos, Nigeria,
Conscious of our responsibilities to Almighty God and to our Nation,
and to our heritage and destiny;

Recognising the need and reality of our interdependence;

Concerned with our commitment to service to humanity and to the

healthy economic, social justice and equity in Nigeria

DO HEREBY GIVE UNTO OURSELVES THE FOLLOWING

CONSTITUTION:

ARTICLE 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1 The Association shall be known and cited as “The Alumni Association of
the National Institute” which name may, where appropriate, be
abbreviated as “AANI” (herein-after referred to as “the Association”).

1.2 The Association shall be a not-for-profit and non-governmental one.

1.3 The Motto of the Association shall be: “Towards a better Society”.

1.4 The National Secretariat of the Association shall be situated at the

Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, provided that the Association may
maintain liaison offices in other places in Nigeria, as the National
Executive Committee may from time to time decide.

1.5 The crest of the alma-mater shall be adopted as the Association logo
which consists of a wheel with cogs, surmounted by the Nigerian Coat of
Arms and surrounded by laurels. At the base is a scroll in the red
parchment bearing the motto: “Towards a Better Society”.

The wheel is set against the background of the national colours and
symbolises the States integrated for progress under the umbrella of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria working together assiduously for a better
society.

4
 ARTICLE 2: AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim and objectives of the Association shall be-

(a) to promote the noble ideals of the National Institute as embodied in its
motto: “Towards a Better Society”;
(b) to promote understanding, unity, brotherhood and cooperation among
the members;
(c) to strengthen the relationship between the Association and the National
Institute with a view to maintaining cooperation and synergy;
(d) to interact and collaborate with the Federal, State and Local
Governments of Nigeria, as well as other organisations or
associations, with similar objectives;
(e) to establish the means of contributing positively and objectively to
national discourse on any issues affecting the development of Nigeria
and proffer appropriate recommendations and implementation
strategies to Government;
(f) to serve as think-tank to the Federal, State and Local Governments of
Nigeria on all matters of national development;
(g) to establish schemes for the promotion of the welfare, security and
economic advancement of members; and
(h) to create and maintain an endowment fund for the proper observance
and discharge of any of the objectives of the Association.

ARTICLE 3: MEMBERSHIP

3.1 The membership of the Association shall be open to any person who has
been duly awarded the certificate of Membership of the National Institute
(mni) having successfully completed the Senior Executive Course at the
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.

3.2 Notwithstanding the provision of Article 3.1, any member who fails,
neglects or refuses to pay the prescribed subscription fees prior to the
award of the certificate by NIPSS or annual dues before the end of

5
 January in each year, shall for as long as the person remains in default,
have no right-

(a) of membership including induction and presentation of certificate of

membership of the Association, where the person is a new member;

(b) of audience and entitlement to the rights and privileges of

membership; and

(c) to hold any office whatsoever, or to vote or be voted for at any

election of the Association.

3.3 Members shall at all times maintain the highest standards of conduct,
etiquette and discipline.

ARTICLE 4: ORGANS OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association shall have the following organs-

(a) The Annual General Meeting(AGM);

(b) The National Executive Committee(NEC); and
(c) Standing Committees.

ARTICLE 5: THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING/EXTRAORDINARY

GENERAL MEETING

5.1 The General Assembly of the AGM shall be the supreme authority of the
Association.

5.2 The AGM shall hold on the first Saturday of March of each year and the
notice for such meeting shall be issued and circulated by the Secretary
General to all members by publication in at least one national daily
newspaper at least twenty-eight (28) days before the date of the meeting.

5.3 The AGM may change or waive such notice period as the circumstance
necessitating such shorter notice change or waiver may warrant.

5.4 The following business shall be transacted at the AGM-

6
 (a) consideration of the annual report of the Secretary General;

(b) consideration of the report on the Accounts of the Association

for the year;

(c) appointment of Auditors and determination of their

remuneration; and

(d) any other business as may be notified to the Secretary

General not later than two weeks before the holding of the
AGM or such other important matters as may be included by
the NEC.
5.5 An EGM of the Association may be summoned by the NEC by giving
twenty-one (21) days notice prior to the meeting, to deal with any
emergency matter of importance or specific issues affecting the interest or
relating to any of the objectives of the Association.

5.6 An EGM may also be convened and conducted in the following manner-

5.6.1 On the receipt at the National Secretariat of the Association of

a requisition, signed by not less than 50 members of the Association from
among at least 1/3 of the Chapters of the Association, calling for an EGM,
the President shall direct in writing the Secretary General to summon an
Emergency Meeting of the NEC.

5.6.2 Such NEC Meeting shall hold within two (2) weeks of the date of the
receipt of the requisition.

5.6.3 The requisition shall state in clear details the matters that need to
be deliberated upon.

5.6.4 The President shall direct the Secretary General and where he fails to do
so, the Secretary General shall convene an EGM of the Association to
hold within four (4) weeks of the requisition at such a place and time as
may be decided by the NEC to deliberate upon the matters stated in the
requisition together with any other matters as may be decided by the
NEC.

5.6.5 The NEC shall not be obliged to act on any requisition received less than
eight weeks before the date of the AGM of the Association but may
7
 instead include such matters stated in the requisition as part of the
business to be deliberated upon at the AGM.

5.7 Decisions at any AGM/EGM shall be by a simple majority on a show of

hands of members present and voting except on the election of National
Committee members or any other issue as may be decided by the AGM
which shall be by ballot.

5.8 The STANDING ORDERS contained in the Third Schedule to this

Constitution shall govern the conduct of any deliberations at AGM/EGM or
other Meetings of the Association.

5.9 The quorum at any AGM and EGM shall be 40 and 20 members of the
Association respectively.

5.10 Attendance at the AGM/EGM shall be open to all members of the

Association except for those in default of payment of their subscription
fees as at the last day of February before the AGM.

5.11 Election of the members of the NEC shall be held biennially at the AGM
for one term of two years in the first instance with the right of re-election
to the same or any other office.

ARTICLE 6: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

6.1 The NEC shall comprise the following-

(a) national Officers;

(b) the immediate past President;

(c) a past President chosen by a resolution of the NEC; and

(d) all Chapter Chairpersons.

6.2 The NEC shall meet at least once in a quarter at such times and places
as may be decided by the NEC.

6.3 The quorum for the meetings of the NEC shall be five (5) members.
8
6.4 On a requisition by at least three (3) members of the NEC, which said
requisition shall clearly state the matters sought to be considered, a
meeting of the NEC shall be called by the President or the Secretary
General, within two weeks of the receipt of the requisition.

6.5 In its collective role and as may be directed by the AGM, the NEC shall
have the following powers and functions -

(a) to exercise control and management over the finances of the

Association including appointing suitable banks for the purpose;

(b) to exercise the views of the Association on any matters of public

interest or upon any matters of general interest to the Association
consistent with the motto and objectives of the National Institute;

(c) to make all necessary arrangements for the AGM/EGM;

(d) to appoint a Director of Administration and other staff as the NEC

deems appropriate.
(e) to cause the accounts of the Association to be audited annually by a
competent professional firm of auditors that shall be appointed by
the AGM/EGM of the Association;

(f) the NEC may appoint one of their members or a suitable member of
the Association to fill and/or perform the duties pertaining to a
vacant office which said vacancy may occur due to some infirmity or
any other cause; and

(g) generally to exercise all the powers vested in the Association

(except those powers reserved for an AGM/EGM of the Association)
so as to promote and carry out the aim and objectives of the
Association as contained in this Constitution and in particular when
the need arises, to apply for and receive donations on behalf of the
Association.

6.6 Consensus shall be the aim of the NEC in its deliberation of matters but if
it becomes necessary to put any question to vote, then it shall be decided
by a simple majority based on a show of hands, Provided however, that
the NEC may resolve to decide any specific issue by secret ballot.
9
6.7 Any member who is absent from three consecutive meetings of the NEC
shall cease to be a member of the NEC unless the person shows
reasonable cause for such absence to the satisfaction of the NEC.

6.8 At the meetings of the NEC, where the President and the Vice-President
are absent, the Secretary General shall preside and in his/her absence,
the members present, shall nominate one of their members to preside.

ARTICLE 7: NATIONAL OFFICERS

7.1 The members of the NEC of the Association shall be elected at the AGM
in accordance with Clause 3 of the Third Schedule and the rules for the
election, as may be established by the AGM.

7.2 The Officers that constitute the membership of the NEC shall be -

(a) the President;

(b) the Vice President;

(c) the Secretary General;

(d) the Assistant Secretary General;

(e) the Financial Secretary;

(f) the Treasurer;

(g) the Publicity Secretary;

(h) the Welfare/Social Secretary;

(i) the Internal Auditor;

(j) the Legal Adviser;

(k) the immediate past President;

(l) a past President chosen by a resolution of the NEC; and

(m) all Chapter Chairpersons.

10
QUALIFICATION AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

7.3 A Member of the Association shall be qualified to hold office in the NEC if
the person -
(a) is a member of the Association as at the time of nomination and has
been, for not less than two consecutive years;
(b) has been an active member of the Association by attendance of
AGMs and other functions of the Association or by the commitment
and support that person has given to the Association;
(c) has paid the annual subscription of the Association for the past two
consecutive years, as and when due;
(d) has not had any criminal record; and
(e) is not involved in partisan politics.
A. PRESIDENT
7.4 The duties of the President shall include -

(a) generally directing the affairs of the Association in accordance

with the provisions of this Constitution;

(b) presiding at AGM/EGM and NEC meetings of the Association;

(c) directing the summoning of meetings of the Association and the

NEC in accordance with the decision of the NEC or on requisition
of members in accordance with Article 5.6 of this Constitution;

(d) directing all other officers in the performance of their duties and
coordinating the activities of all the Chapters of the Association;

(e) providing direction and leadership to all Committees established

for the Association;

(f) presenting at the AGM, a Presidential address in writing to

highlight the accomplishments, problems, prospects and future
direction of the Association;

(g) acting as the principal spokesperson of the Association; and

11
 (h) ensuring with the assistance of the Secretary General and the
Treasurer, the efficient and economic use of the Association’s
assets and resources through prudent investments, acquisitions
and disposals as may be necessary from time to time subject
however to the overall approval of the NEC.

B. VICE-PRESIDENT
7.5 The duties of the Vice-President shall include -

(a) presiding in the absence of the President at all meetings in which

the President is empowered to preside by the provisions of the
Constitution.

(b) being responsible for the co-ordination of the activities of the

Chapter as may be assigned to him by the NEC and paying periodic
visits to the assigned Chapters and making periodic reports to the
NEC on such visits; and

(c) performing all other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the

President or the NEC or the AGM or which the President is unable
to perform owing to ill-health, old age or absence from the country
or for any other reasons.

C. SECRETARY GENERAL
7.6 The Secretary General under the overall direction of the President, shall
be in charge of the National Secretariat and other national offices of the
Association and his duties shall include -

(a) Summoning the NEC or the AGM/EGM or any other meetings of the
Association, on the instruction of the President or in accordance with
the decision of the NEC or pursuant to a requisition, made in
accordance with the provisions of this Constitution;

(b) recording and keep the minutes including attendance and summary of
all decisions taken at the meetings;

(c) dispatching circulars, letters and other correspondences of the

Association including that of the NEC;

12
 (d) furnishing an annual return or special reports of the activities of the
Association or any of its organs at the AGM;

(e) being an ex-officio member of all Committees of the Association; and

(f) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President, the
NEC or the AGM.

D. ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

7.7 The duties of the Assistant Secretary General shall include -

(a) assisting the Secretary General in the performance of his/her duties

and shall in the absence of the Secretary General act in his/her
place;

(b) keeping a roll of members and an up-to-date list of the membership

of the Chapters of the Association; and

(c) performing all other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the

President, the Secretary General, the NEC or the AGM.

E. TREASURER
7.8 The duties of the Treasurer shall include -

(a) receiving, collecting and paying to the Association’s bank

accounts, all monies collected for the Association or paid to the
Association from any source whatsoever;

(b) carrying out any decision of the AGM in matters relating to

budget or finances of the Association;

(c) in association with the Financial Secretary, preparing or causing

to be prepared and submitted to the first meeting of the NEC, an
annual budget containing the estimated revenue and expenditure
of the Association for the period 8th March to 28th February of the
following year;

(d) investing the monies of the Association in such securities or

bonds as may be approved by the NEC;

13
 (e) circulating to every member of the NEC the audited accounts
and balance sheet for the preceding year;
(f) submitting annual report to the AGM to which shall be attached
the audited accounts and balance sheet for the preceding year;
and
(g) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President
or the NEC or the AGM.

F. FINANCIAL SECRETARY
7.9 The duties of the Financial Secretary shall include -
(a) ensuring that all members pay their annual subscriptions and
levies as and when due;
(b) compiling and circulating a list of members who have paid or are
in default of their subscriptions in each year and take steps to
circulate such list to the NEC and AGM ;
(c) collecting and paying all monies of the Association to the
Treasurer promptly and keeping records of such receipts and
payments; and
(d) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President
or the NEC or the AGM;

G. PUBLICITY SECRETARY
7.10 The duties of the Publicity Secretary shall include -

(a) ensuring adequate and prompt publicity of the activities of the

Association;
(b) presenting a good and progressive image of the Association to the
public;
(c) issuing releases and statements on matters of general interest to the
Association and the public after consultation with the President or the
NEC; and
(d) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President or the
NEC or the AGM.
14
H. WELFARE/SOCIAL SECRETARY
7.11 The duties of the Welfare/Social Secretary shall include -
(a) monitoring the welfare and interests of members of the Association;
(b) organising all the social aspects of the Association’s meetings and
outings;
(c) bringing to the notice of the President and the NEC, any matter
concerning the welfare of any member of the Association with a view to
preserving their interests and well being to the extent of the ability of
the Association;
(d) responsibility for managing the programme of assistance for
incapacitated or aged members of the Association;
(e) responsibility for supervising the endowment programmes of the
Association; and
(f) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President, the
NEC or the AGM.

I. INTERNAL AUDITOR
7.12 The duties of the Internal Auditor shall include -

a) auditing the day-to-day financial transactions of the Association; and

b) performing such other functions as may, from time to time, be assigned to him
by the President, the NEC or the AGM.
J. LEGAL ADVISER
7.13 The duties of the Legal Adviser shall include -

(a) giving advise to the Association, Committees and other organs of the
Association, and representing or protecting the interests of the
Association in all legal matters;

(b) representing the Association in legal and quasi-legal bodies or

functions requiring the Association’s participation, as may be directed
by the President or the NEC; and

(c) performing all other duties as may be assigned by the President, the
NEC or the AGM.
15
 ARTICLE 8: STANDING COMMITTEES/AD-HOC COMMITTEES

A. STANDING COMMITTEES

8.1 There shall be established for the Association, Standing Committees for
Finance and Public Relations.

FINANCE COMMITTEE
8.2 The Finance Committee shall -

(a) consist of the National Treasurer who shall be the Chairman, the National
Financial Secretary and two (2) other members of the Association learned
in finance and accounting matters, to be appointed by the NEC.

(b) take charge of the Association’s finances; and

(c) prepare and present an annual budget of the Association to the NEC.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE

8.3 The Public Relations Committee shall -

(a) consist of the Publicity Secretary as the Chairman and three (3) other
members; and

(b) be responsible for publicising the activities and programmes of the

Association, pursuant to this Constitution or as may be directed by the
President or the NEC

B. STANDING/AD-HOC COMMITTEES

8.4 The NEC may constitute such other Standing and/or Ad-Hoc Committees
to deal with issues and matters as the circumstances may dictate.

8.5 The Committees so constituted, shall have powers and exercise such
functions as the NEC may determine.

8.6 Membership of each Committee shall be determined by the NEC from

time-to-time.

16
 ARTICLE 9: PROVISION FOR, AND STATUS OF THE BYE-LAWS OF THE
ASSOCIATION

9.1 There shall Bye-Laws for the Association to be included in the Schedule
hereto.

9.2 The provisions of the Bye-Laws in the Schedule to this Constitution shall
form part of and shall have the same effect as any of the other provisions
contained in this Constitution.

ARTICLE 10: ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE, FCT AND DIASPORA

CHAPTERS

10.1 There are hereby established, States, FCT and Diaspora Chapters of the
Association.

10.2 Any Diaspora Chapter of the Association shall be located abroad, provided
that the membership of such Chapter shall not be less than seven (7).

10.3 A member shall be entitled to the membership of the Chapter in the State
in which he/she resides, provided that no member shall belong to more
than one Chapter at a time.

10.4 Every Chapter shall -

(a) hold a Chapter meeting at least once every three months and a
biennial Chapter General Meeting at which the Chapter officers shall be
elected and a return of such election, shall be made to the Secretary
General;

(b) forward a programme and record of its activities to the Secretary

General every quarter;

(c) carry out the directives of the AGM or the NEC;

(d) have the power to impose levies or subscription to defray the expenses
for running its affairs, and any member in default shall be subject to
sanctions as may be determined by the AGM or the NEC or the Officers of
the Chapter; and

17
 (e) keep an up-to-date list of its members and forward such list to the
Secretary General before the end of February of each year.

10.5 A Chapter may have its own Bye-Laws which shall come into force after its
approval by the NEC, Provided that the parts of the Bye-Laws which are
inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall to the extent of
such inconsistency, be void.

10.6 Every Chapter shall have a Chairman and Secretary and such other
officers as may be necessary.

10.7 No Chapter or member of a Chapter shall hold itself/himself or herself out

as representing the Association in any respect or take any action in the
name of the Association without the prior consent and approval of the
NEC.

ARTICLE 11: DISCIPLINE

11.1 The Association shall have the power to investigate reports of misconduct,
misdemeanour and infractions against any member of the Association and
may impose appropriate sanctions as the NEC may recommend to the
AGM.

11.2 The President shall cause a written query to be issued to an erring NEC
member which shall be answered by the member within 72 hours.

11.3 The NEC may constitute an ad-hoc disciplinary Committee to review the
matter, giving the erring Officer adequate opportunity for “fair hearing”, and
then make appropriate recommendations.

11.4 The decision of the NEC shall be referred to the AGM/EGM for resolution,
when there is an appeal.

11.3 Any member found to be guilty of any misconduct, misdemeanour or

infraction shall only be removed on a motion proposed and carried by a
simple majority of members present at the AGM/EGM.

18
 ARTICLE 12: FUNDS OF THE ASSOCIATION

12.1 The funds of the Association may be derived from the following sources -

(a) annual subscription fees payable by members;

(b) levies as may be approved by the AGM on the recommendation of the

NEC;
(c) grants;

(d) donations;

(e) endowment funds as may be approved by the AGM; and

(f) investments of the Association

12.2 Any Chapter of the Association may impose and charge dues and levies
payable by its members for the purpose of administering the Chapter.

ARTICLE 13: FINANCE:

13.1 All monies belonging to the Association shall be kept in its name with such
reputable bankers as the NEC shall appoint.

13.2 There shall be three principal signatories to the Association’s accounts

who shall be the President, the Secretary General and the Treasurer and any
two of them, may sign cheques and thereafter, inform the third party formally.

13.3 No expenditure shall be incurred for any purpose unless such expenditure
has been approved generally by the NEC in the annual budget or any
supplementary budget of the Association, Provided that in any case of serious
urgency, the Treasurer in consultation with the President and the Secretary
General may authorise such expenditure in their discretion and afterwards seek
ratifying approval from the NEC, provided further always that the exercise of
such discretion shall be limited to the recurrent expenditure of the month
immediately preceding such expenditure.

19
13.4 The Secretary General may hold as imprest, such amount as may be
approved by the NEC from time to time.

13.5 The NEC may, armed with an authorization by the AGM/EGM, invest the
funds of the Association in government securities or such other safe securities
as are available in the capital and stock market.

13.6 All income and expenditures of the Association shall be accounted for and
audit report thereon shall be laid before the AGM for approval.

ARTICLE 14: AUDIT

14.1 The accounts of the Association shall be audited annually by registered
Auditors.

14.2 The Auditors shall -

(a) be appointed by the AGM;
(b) audit the accounts of the Association; and
(c) present a report at the AGM.

ARTICLE 15: BOARD OF TRUSTEES

15.1 There shall be for the Association, a Board of Trustees (hereinafter

referred to as “the Board”)

15. 2 The Board shall be known and addressed as THE REGISTERED

TRUSTEES OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE NATIONAL
INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

15.3 The Board shall -

(a) consist of not less than eight (8) members to be appointed by the NEC
and ratified by the AGM; and
(b) have a Chairman who shall be appointed by the Board.

20
15.4 The Trustees shall hold office for life provided that a Trustee shall cease
to hold office if he -

(a) resigns his office;

(b) becomes insane;
(c) is officially declared bankrupt;
(d) is convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or any gross
misconduct by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(e) is recommended for removal by the Board and approved by a simple
majority at the AGM;
(f) absents himself from 3 (three) consecutive meetings of the Board
without apology.

15.5 Upon a vacancy occurring in the chairmanship of the Board, the

remaining trustees shall nominate and present an eligible member or members
to the AGM for approval.

15.5.1 Where one eligible member only is nominated, the General Assembly
shall appoint him into the Board, or reject him and call for another or
other nomination(s).

15.5.2 Where more than one eligible member is nominated, the General
Assembly shall select and appoint one out of the members so
nominated.

15.6 The Board shall -

(a) apply to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission for

Certificate of Incorporation under Part C of the Company & Allied Matters
Act;

(b) in case of any threat of dissolution, take all necessary and prompt steps
to ensure peaceful resolution;

(c) accept and hold in trust all lands belonging to the Association, to acquire
land on behalf of the said Association subject to such conditions as may
be prescribe or imposed by the law or by the Commission;

21
 (d) raise funds to develop the Association or its properties in the best
interests of the Association, and as may be directed by a resolution of the
Annual General Meeting;

(e) in association with the Committee, formulate policies for the attainment of
the aims and objective of the Association and observe the implementation
of such policies;

(f) subject to the provisions of the Act and of any rules made pursuant
thereof, delegate to the Committee all or any of their functions,

Provided that where any document is to be executed by the Trustees, such

document shall be signed by the President and Secretary General of the
Association only.

ARTICLE 16: THE COMMON SEAL OF THE ASSOCIATION

16.1 The Association shall have a Common Seal, which shall be -

a) kept by, and in custody of, the Secretary General who shall produce it
whenever required; and

b) affixed by the Chairman of the Board, to all such documents where it is

needed;

16.2 All transactions and documents to which the Common Seal is affixed shall be
open for inspection by the members.

ARTICLE 17: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution may be amended only by the AGM of the Association by a

two-third majority of members present and entitled to vote,

Provided that at least sixty days notice of the amendment proposal shall have
been given to the Secretary General, who shall have circulated same to
members at least thirty days before the proposed amendment is laid before the
22
Association for discussion at the AGM. For the avoidance of doubt, two-third
majority of members present shall be approximated to the nearest whole
number.

ADOPTION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

Adopted at the Annual General Meeting held at Abuja, FCT on 5th March, 2011.

PRESIDENT SECRETARY GENERAL

23
 SCHEDULES TO THE CONSTITUTION

FIRST SCHEDULE

SPECIAL CLAUSE

1. THE INCOME AND PROPERTIES OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF THE

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR POLICY AND STRATEGIC STUDIES
whensoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the
objectives of the ASSOCIATION as set forth in this CONSTITUTION and no portion
there shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus,
or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the ASSOCIATION.

2. PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith or
reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the ASSOCIATION
in return for any service actually rendered to the ASSOCIATION but so that no
member of the NEC of the ASSOCIATION shall be appointed to any office of the
ASSOCIATION, or any office of the ASSOCIATION’s Chapters paid by fees, and
that no remuneration or other benefit in money shall be given by the
ASSOCIATION to any member of such Committee except repayment of out of
pocket expenses or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised or let to the
Association.

3. Provided that the provisions last aforesaid shall not apply to any payment of any
Company, to a member of the ASSOCIATION, which may be a Company in which
such member shall not hold more than one hundredth part of the capital, and such
member shall not be bound to account for any share of profits he may receive in
respect of any such payment.
24
4. NO ADDITION, alteration or amendment shall be made to or in the Constitution
for the time being in force, unless the same have been previously submitted to
and approved by the Registrar-General

5. IN THE EVENT of dissolution of the ASSOCIATION, if there remains, after the

satisfaction of all its debt and liabilities, any property whatsoever the same shall
not be paid to or distributed among the members of the ASSOCIATION, but shall
be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions, having objectives
similar to the objectives of the ASSOCIATION, and the body or bodies are
prohibited from distributing its or their income and property amongst its or their
members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the ASSOCIATION under
or by write of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, such institutions to be determined by
the members of the ASSOCIATION, if effect cannot be given to the aforesaid
provisions, then to some charitable object.

Dated this ……………………day of …………..20 …………..

……………………… …………………………………..

PRESIDENT SECRETARY GENERAL

25
 SECOND SCHEDULE

BYE-LAWS

1. JOURNALS

1.1 The Association shall have power to publish journals in pursuance of

the provisions of this Constitution.

2. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1.2 Members of the NEC or Standing or Ad-hoc Committees representing

their Chapters shall keep their Chapters informed of all the activities of the
NEC and other Committees.

1.3 Any member of such Committees who is unwilling to carry out the
directives or decisions of the AGM or the NEC shall be suspended from
such Committee by a simple majority of the members of the NEC.

3. MEETINGS

3.1 Notices of motions or Resolutions other than those proposed for

amendment of the Constitution shall reach the Secretary General on or
before December preceding the AGM;

3.2 Notices or circulars of the AGM together with the agenda, resolution and
a list of candidates shall be dispatched to members or same published in
at least one national daily circulating throughout the Federal Republic of
Nigeria at least thirty days before the date of the meeting.

4. AMENDMENT
These Bye-Laws shall be amended by or at any AGM/EGM subject to a
notice of proposed amendment being received by the Secretary General
and Chapters or same published in at least one National daily circulating
throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at least sixty (60) days and
26
 thirty (30) days respectively before the meeting, by a simple majority of
members present and entitled to vote.

THIRD SCHEDULE
1. STANDING ORDERS

1.1 For the purpose of effective and efficient conduct of proceedings at an

AGM, conference or meetings and matters connected therewith, these
Standing Orders shall be read together with the Constitution of the
Association.

1.2 These Standing Orders are made by the AGM of the Association in
exercise of the powers under Article 5 of the Constitution of the
Association and other enabling powers in that behalf.

2. PROCEDURE FOR MEETINGS

2.1 An AGM /EGM shall transact such business as is on its agenda or any
business decided by a previous AGM or the NEC.

2.2 An agenda of the business of a meeting shall be supplied in advance to

members either by internet or by publication in the national dailies.

2.3 The President shall preside at the meeting and in his absence the Vice-
President shall preside, failing which the members present shall elect a
Chairmen from among themselves.

2.4 Any member who wishes to speak shall raise his hand to attract the
Chairman’s attention.

2.5 No member shall commence to speak on any topic or issue until

recognised to do so by the Chairman.

2.6 No two members shall stand up to speak simultaneously during

discussion at a meeting as such shall be ruled as out of order.

2.7 The order of speaking shall be determined by the Chairman in his/her

absolute discretion without fear or favour, affection or ill-will but shall give
a reasonable opportunity for divergent views to be heard.

27
2.8 The Chairman in his/her discretion may stop a debate even when there
are members anxious to speak on the subject if he/she considers that
there has been sufficient discussion or debate on the matter under
consideration.

2.9 A member who has any relevant and pertinent information to give during
the course of a speech or debate by another, may raise a “point of order”
or come by way of “information/observation”, which he/she may proceed
to give if permitted to do so by the Chairman.

2.10 A member who claims that he/she has been misquoted or misrepresented
may raise the plea of “point of correction” and if allowed by the Chairman
shall make the correction in the quotation or representation.

2.11 In the event of proposition to proceed to the next business or to make

progress being moved and same seconded it shall after the proposer and
seconder of the proposition being heard be put to vote. If the proposition
is carried the matter under debate shall immediately be put to vote and
once carried the subject voted upon shall not again be introduced or
discussed during the meeting.

2.12 No motion or amendment shall be discussed unless it is seconded save

the proposals of the NEC or the report of a Committee of the Association
which shall be taken as having been moved and seconded. No second
amendment or rider shall be voted upon until the first amendment is
disposed of.

2.13 On any issue every member present shall have one vote at a time but the
Chairman shall have a second or casting vote in the event of equality of
votes, Provided that if at any election there is equality of votes the
Presiding Electoral Officer shall have a casting vote.

2.14 The Chairman shall have power to ask anyone found engaging in
distractive or destructive acts or conducts to leave the meeting.

2.15 The AGM shall have the power to appoint Committees or Commissions
for the furtherance of its business. Such Committees or Commissions
may sit during the hours of the Meeting should it be necessary for them to
do so.
28
2.16 The Chairman shall give directions or adopt measures reasonably
necessary in the interest of the Association or reasonably conducive to
the conduct of proceedings of any Meeting. The procedure at a meeting
of any Committee shall be determined by that Committee.

2.17 The ruling of the President or Chairman on matters provided for in these
STANDING ORDERS shall be obeyed.

3. ELECTIONS
3.1 Offices shall be vacant by effluxion of time, death, resignation, removal
or for any other reasonable cause.

3.2 Any vacancy occurring in any office after a biennial AGM where election
has been held may be filled by the NEC.

3.3 A candidate for any elective national office shall be nominated or

proposed in writing through a prescribed form by a member and
seconded by another, both of whom shall be qualified like the candidate in
accordance with the provisions of the Constitution for the equivalent office
and in good standing with their subscriptions and all other levies and
dues.

3.4 The nomination papers shall be dispatched so as to reach the Secretary

General on or before 30th December preceding the election month and
where there is no nomination for any office, the AGM or the NEC may fill
the vacancy;

3.5 On the 1st of February preceding the election month the secretary General
shall compile a list of all nominations received and shall exhibit a copy at
the Secretariat notice Board and forward a copy to all candidates who
have been nominated as well as every member of the NEC and Executive
Committee of all Chapters;

3.6 A full list of properly nominated candidates shall be exhibited or posted at

a conspicuous place or notice board in or around the Meeting hall on or
before the day of the Meeting and same supplied to the electoral officers.

3.7 Electoral Officers, a minimum of three (3) and maximum of five (5) one of
whom shall preside, shall be appointed by the Meeting.

29
3.8 The Electoral Officers shall control, conduct and manage the elections for
which they were appointed. During the elections the presiding Electoral
Officer shall have the powers of the Chairman under these Standing
Orders.

3.9 Voting in elections at AGM shall be by secret ballot provided that the
Meeting shall have the right to order otherwise.

3.10 The validity of proceedings of an AGM or any other meeting shall not be
affected by vacancy in any office or any defect in the appointment or
election of Officers or irregularity in the proceedings.

3.11 For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Constitution shall take
precedence and prevail over those of the BYE-LAWS and STANDING
ORDERS where a conflict occurs.

4. AMENDMENTS

4.1 Proposals for amendment of the STANDING ORDERS shall if initiated by

the NEC or a member or a Chapter, be sent to the Secretary General to
reach him/her not less than sixty (60) days before the AGM and the
General Secretary in turn shall send copies of such proposals to all
Chapters not less than thirty (30) days before the AGM.

4.2 The AGM may by a majority of votes of Members present and voting,
rescind, amend or suspend the provisions of these STANDING ORDERS.

30