By Oshiomhole R I
The strength of an alumni association is measured by the enduring impact it makes on the lives of its members, the institution that shaped them, and the society they continue to serve. At its best, an alumni evolves beyond a network of former students into a lifelong camaraderie and community bound by shared values, collective responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to future generations.
That spirit came to life during the 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ExJAM Alumni Association, held at the elegant Brickspoint ApartHotel in Asokoro, Abuja, with the theme, “Leave No Man Behind.” The July 18 2026 gathering was much more than an annual administrative exercise. It was a demonstration of unity, leadership, institutional memory, and a shared determination to ensure that every member of the ExJAM family remains connected, valued, and supported.
The Abuja 2026 AGM, preceded by a meet-and- greet event the evening prior reflected a core philosophy championed by the President General Ahmed Mimi and successive executive committees: an alumni association exists not merely to celebrate past achievements but to create lasting opportunities for its members while strengthening the institution that gave them their foundation – the Air Force Military School (AFMS), Jos.
From the moment proceedings commenced, it was evident that this was no ordinary reunion. More than 150 members from every geopolitical zone of Nigeria assembled under one roof, representing different graduating sets, professional backgrounds, and generations – Military officers, business leaders, public servants, traditional rulers, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who came together with a shared sense of purpose. Their presence illustrated the remarkable breadth of the association and reaffirmed that, despite diverse careers and life journeys, they remain united by the values instilled during their formative years at AFMS Jos.
The diversity within the ExJAM is a testament to its remarkable legacy. Its membership includes some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities, among them the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. Abbass; Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, Chiedu Ebie Esq.; Member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Joshua Gana; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the BUA Foundation, Dr. Ubon Udoh; Pioneer Chief of Civil-Military Relations; Air Vice Marshal (AVM) I Daramola, The Nigerian Air Force Chief of Policy and Plans ( COPP); Air Vice Marshal (AVM) AY Abdullahi. Commandant of Air Force Military School (AFMS) Jos, Group Captain Funsho F Akko; Chief Executive Officer of Sundry Foods (owners of the Kilimanjaro restaurant chain), Dr. Ebele Enunwa; Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) AK Abdullahi; Commander of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Kano; Brigadier General AM Tukur; His Royal Highness Ponfa J. Useni Dan Buram Bwarat, Majidadin Abaji; and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Prince Jide Akinloye; President, North America ExJAM Association; Ex-JAM Kayode Atobatele, among many other accomplished professionals serving in various sectors.
Yet, despite these impressive individual accomplishments, the highly regarded alumni body consistently emphasized that titles and achievements matter far less than the collective responsibility of lifting one another. Throughout the deliberations, one message echoed repeatedly: an institution succeeds when every member has a place, every voice is heard, and no one is left vulnerable.
The AGM provided a transparent platform for the association’s leadership to present its achievements over the previous year, review policy implementation, and account for its stewardship through comprehensive financial and activity reports. These presentations reinforced the association’s commitment to accountability and good governance while inviting open discussions on challenges, opportunities, and future priorities.
Beyond governance, the gathering served as an intellectual forum where experiences from different professions intersected. Military strategy met corporate innovation. Public service perspectives blended with entrepreneurial insights. Senior alumni shared decades of leadership experience while younger members contributed fresh ideas and contemporary thinking. These intergenerational conversations transformed the AGM into a classroom, where knowledge flowed naturally across age groups, strengthening both institutional memory and future leadership.
One of the meeting’s defining moments came as President General Ahmed A. Mimi presented several visionary proposals aimed at deepening the relationship between the ExJAM, the Nigerian Air Force, and its alma mater, Air Force Military School (AFMS) Jos. Among them was a proposed Tri-Service Exchange Programme involving Junior Secondary School Three students from Nigeria’s three premier military secondary schools – the Air Force Military School, Jos; the Nigerian Military School, Zaria; and the Nigerian Navy Military School, Ikot Ntuen. The initiative seeks to foster mutual understanding and strengthen inter-service cooperation from an early stage.
Other proposals included educational excursions for junior airmen to operational Nigerian Air Force formations before graduation, a foundational military aircraft identification programme designed to enrich students’ professional awareness, and a proposed waiver of boarding fees for children of ExJAM members enrolled at AFMS Jos. Collectively, these initiatives reflected a forward-looking vision that prioritizes educational excellence, institutional pride, and tangible support for members and their families.
In his address, President General Ahmed Mimi reminded attendees that the conference theme was far more than an inspirational slogan. It represented a solemn commitment – a covenant binding every member to mentor younger alumni, reconnect those who have drifted away from the association, and ensure that no colleague is left to face life’s challenges in isolation. His message underscored a leadership philosophy rooted equally in structure and compassion, continuity and inclusion.
At the conclusion of the 21st ExJAM AGM (Abuja 2026,) several important resolutions had been adopted to reinforce the association’s commitment to inclusiveness. These included establishing a dedicated welfare and reintegration desk to identify and support members facing personal or professional difficulties; creating structured mentorship programmes linking senior and junior alumni for continuous knowledge transfer; strengthening communication systems to ensure no member feels disconnected from the association; conducting annual assessments of member engagement to proactively reconnect inactive alumni; and empowering zonal chapters to enhance grassroots participation and improve regional representation.
These resolutions reflected an understanding that the true measure of an alumni association lies not in ceremonial events or impressive attendance figures but in its ability to create meaningful support systems, preserve institutional heritage, and generate opportunities that improve the lives of its members and future generations.
Ultimately, the 21st Annual General Meeting reaffirmed the ExJAM Alumni Association’s identity as far more than an organization of former students. It demonstrated the resilience of a community built on shared values, disciplined leadership, mutual respect, and an enduring culture of service. It showcased an institution that remains committed to transparent governance, strategic thinking, intergenerational collaboration, and compassionate leadership.
Most importantly, it reinforced a timeless truth that resonated throughout every discussion, every resolution, and every reunion: real progress is never measured solely by those who lead the way, but by the determination to ensure that everyone moves forward together. In the ExJAM family, no contribution is insignificant, no voice is too small, and no comrade is ever left behind.
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