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Board of Trustees

Members of the Board of Trustees

Our board of trustees is made up of diverse individuals with relevant expertise and requisite field experience to drive the cause of the organisation.

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Alhaji Lawal Garba

Board Chairman
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Amb. Abdullahi A. Omaki

Executive Vice Chairman
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Tinuola Makinde

Board Secretary
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Amb Solomon Kio Amieyeofori

Board Member
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Hajiya Rabi Gambari

Board Member
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Amb. Peter Emuze

Board Member
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Alhaji Shettima Bukar

Board Member
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Rakiya Omaki

Board Member
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Sir Bola Abimbola

Board Member

Goodwill Message from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Abdullahi Omaki Community Peace Initiative Network (AOCPIN)

The absence of Peace and Stability within Communities and countries impact most negatively, the development, progress and growth of such communities and countries. Communities across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, including those within the Federal Capital Territory Administration, continue to be inundated with multi-dimensional threats that continue to deny them peace and stability, invariably impacting negatively on them and the nation, in their strides for development.
At the roots of these multiple challenges to peace across communities in Nigeria, are undoubtedly, the deeply-rooted intra and inter community mistrusts over shared scarce resources, specifically, access and ownership of land, water and other means of livelihood. There is also the skewed manipulation of indigeneship/citizenship contestation, ethnicity and religion by the political class. Most significantly, the absence of justice and sanctions by the various levels of authorities, from Communities, local Governments, States and Federal, have complicated the search for peace. In fact, the politically-motivated or driven-crises have proved to be so difficult to contain and or manage, hence represent very significant threat to the safety and survival of communities and ultimately, Nigeria. Herein, lies the imperative need for renewed efforts, especially, at the community-levels, to promote concerted engagements with all the stakeholders in a whole-of-the society approach to reclaim our communities and nation.
This initiative by my friend and school-mate at the School of Basic Studies of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to deliberately establish levels of Networks of interactions and awareness engagements for harmony in our communities, deserve commendations and our emphatic support. I am not surprised at all that Amb. Abdullahi A. Omaki, Founder of the Initiative for this Network for Community Peace, decided to embark on this journey for Peace, in the way and manner he has conceived of the challenges and their significant negative impact on Nigeria’s harmony, cohesion, stability, development and progress. As a retired career Ambassador of our country, he is not a stranger to the enormous benefits of consistent engagements that seek to utilise, negotiations, employing all levels of interactions and weighing options that must revolve around providing enabling environment for justice to be administered as fairly as possible to all and for all to be winners.
When he approached me and sought my views on his initiative to provide this platform as contributions to enhance Nigeria’s national efforts at containing, managing and resolving some of our nation’s multiple and complex threats, starting from the Community level, I warmly welcomed the idea and encouraged him as no efforts should be underestimated in our continuous search for sustainable peace. He later reverted to me, with a request to Chair the Board of Trustees of the “Abdullahi Omaki Community Peace Initiative Network.” This was a request that in all honesty, I could not turn down, having previously encouraged him to set-up the platform. I am personally convinced, that only a secured environment can guarantee peace and stability of our communities and country for development and progress to take roots.
The membership of the Board of Trustees that he has constituted was without my inputs but certainly reflective of Amb. Omaki’s inner mind, on what and how he intends, to confront the challenges he has set-out to address as contributions for our national development. The membership of the Board reflects largely his wish and a scenario of a whole-of-a-society architectural framework of engagements. This way, he hopes that some of the threats to our collective safety and survival can be contained, managed and/or resolved at communities-levels as well as nationally. We have diplomats, versed in negotiations, security, rule of law and human rights, business people with grass-root touches as well as national and international partnership, civil society people, who often provide voices for the voiceless and the generally un-informed component of our society, gender and demographic balance. Half of the Trustee members have versed working experiences in Government and the Financial Sectors of our economy. The Board certainly possesses what Amb. Omaki calls an “eclectic mix of competences.” I hope therefore, that these would be invaluable, in addressing and resolving the huge challenges in our communities, nation as well as other countries in our sub-region and continent.
It is pertinent to stress that the layered-approach to building and sustaining peace in our communities, country and sub-region, would find strong-footing in our resourced-based communities, specifically the oil and gas sectors and in the context of the Petroleum Industry Act as well as in Mineral resources areas and their relevant Acts. The success of these engagements in these resources communities, would not only contribute to intra-community peace but stability that permits effective focus on development, hence progress of our communities, Nigeria and hopefully, our sub-region and Africa.
On behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I wish to congratulate Amb. Abdullahi Omaki for his vision and the bold step he has taken. We promise to stand by him as we share in his commitment and determination to contribute whatever that is necessary for Nigeria to be peaceful and stable, for development and progress to take roots. Peace, Stability and Development of Nigeria, is an excellent omen for the collective progress of West Africa and indeed, the rest of the continent.
Alhaji Lawal Garba
Chairman
Board of Trustees (AOCPIN)

Mal. Lawal Garba made outstanding contributions through his  long-standing dedicated efforts spanning almost four decades within the Nigerian and International Economic Sectors by his consistent support, guidance and investments in various industries. These includes Agricultural, Oil and Gas, Maritime, Property Development, Banking, Aviation and Energy sectors. He resigned from the banking career in 1985 to pursue private enterprises. He setup Minsource Nigeria Limited which became one of the largest cocoa beans exporters in Nigeria. In 1987, He setup Trobell International Limited which is now the leading crude oil pre-shipment inspection company in Nigeria. In 1989, in one of the earliest privatization exercises in the country, His company Emerald Packaging Company Limited bided and won the purchase of the majority shareholding of the cocoa industries limited which was established by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in early 1960’s. 

He currently sits on the board and has investments in the following companies: Taj Bank Limited, Quantilex Nigeria Limited, Trobell International Limited, Trobell Power and Energy Limited, Trobell Fertilizer and Agro-Allied Limited, Trobell Aviation, Avia Infrastructure Services, Emerald Packaging Limited and Emerald Holdings Limited. He has used his knowledge of these industries to reduce unemployment by creating numerous job opportunities for the public and to also eradicate poverty and provision of healthcare through philanthropic contributions. It is pertinent to mention that in addition to other numerous accomplishments, Malam Lawal Garba who is a fellow of Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors holds a world record as being the first graduate Quantity Surveyor to set up the property cost control section in the banking sector

Ambassador Abdullahi A. Omaki, NOOC, FSMA, is the Founder and Executive Vice- Chairman of the ABDULLAHI OMAKI COMMUNITY PEACE INITIATIVE NETWORK (AOCPIN)

Ambassador Abdullahi A. Omaki retired from the Nigerian Foreign Service in June 2013, after thirty-three and a half years of meritorious service. He hada distinguished service-career, which took him across Europe (UK and Netherlands), USA (Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN in New York), and anchoring in Africa (Central Africa Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Chad), where he served as Head of Chancery in Bangui, Consul General in Bata and   Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Ndjamena-Chad. He relates easily with issues of the sub-regional security and socio-economic development which he has “consistently argued must be holistically viewed and addressed from the prisms of both bilateral and multilateral instrumentalities. These ways, he believes, would enhance harmony and cohesiveness which are cornerstones for sustainable good governance and peace”. Some of his colleagues address him as a “Desert Diplomat” while others politely refer to him as the “Sahel Diplomat”, both of which he proudly accepts.

In addition to his oversees tours of duties in the three continents, Ambassador Abdullahi Omaki had diligently served in various Divisions and Departments in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria. These services spanned across Administration, Protocol, West Africa Department, International Organisations and Inspectorate Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was Deputy Director in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director of International Organizations Department and Under-Secretary (Regions and International Originations Directorate).

Upon retirement from service in June 2013, he became the Pioneer Executive Director of Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) from February 2014 to June 2020. In that capacity, he demonstratedleadership styles that promoted interpersonal skills leading to effective teamwork that contributed to leading the SCDDD to prominence.

In June 2020, he was appointed as Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Foreign Affairs and International Relations, domiciled in the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President. In this capacity, he contributed to speeches, statements, analyses of global socio-economic and political events as well as advises and recommendations.

In all of these positions, he garnered experiences that have become eclectic mix of competencies that have contributed to driving Governance and Organisational priorities in complex situations.

 

 

Tinuola is a demographer, statistician, and public health persona with 7+ years of experience in health management, research, and data analysis. She has a Bachelor of Science in Demography and Social Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University and is currently pursuing a Data Analytics Professional Certification from ALX Ghana.
Tinuola is passionate about using her skills to address health disparities across diverse populations. She has worked on a variety of projects, including; a project to promote peace and democracy in Nigeria, where she collected data on conflict and violence, developed survey questionnaires, and wrote reports; project to combat gender violence, where she analyzed data on income disparities and conducted spatial analysis; project to improve education for vulnerable children, where she conducted surveys, organized training, and developed a database; project to promote family planning, where she trained staff, organized educational programs, and distributed health materials.
Having worked under the Weaving Resilience project for West Africa, part of which she carried out environmental scan of civic space threats in West African Countries, and contributing to the civic space monitor information and data for public use and decision making. Tinuola is a highly skilled and experienced data analyst with a proven track record of success in research and program evaluation. She is also an excellent communicator and team player with a strong commitment to social justice. She serves as the Secretary, Board of trustees for AOCPIN.

Kio Solomon Amieyeofori served as Deputy Director General at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA)  responsible for Research and Analysis (DDGR&A) from 2018 -2022.

Prior to his appointment, he worked in a variety of domestic and international positions for the Nigerian Foreign Service. From 2007 to 2012, he was Minister and Political Coordinator of the Nigerian team to the UN Security Council (UNSC) in New York. In Geneva, he held several multilateral positions, including Minister of Disarmament Affairs and Delegate to the Conference on Disarmament, the Arms Trade Treaty, and other agreements.

Amieyeofori, a multilateralist, has an excellent understanding of the global security architecture. He holds a Masters of Science degree in Intelligence and Strategic Studies from the University of Wales, Britain; a Master of International Law and Diplomacy, University of Lagos; and a Bachelor of Political Science from the University of Lagos.

Rabi Gambari has over 25 years of Post Graduate work experience; did her Youth Service at the Nigerian Agricultural and Cooperative Bank Kaduna 1985 – 1986(now Bank of AGRIC). She was employed by the organization in 1987 as an Administrative Officer II. While in the bank, I was opportune to serve in various departments.

She served as PA (Personal Assistant) to the Executive Director Services; also served as Desk Officer in charge of recruitment, promotion and disciplinary actions in the office of the Director Admin and Services. Served as Officer in charge of Management/Staff Industrial and Public Relation.

Also served in the Operations Department of the Bank as project Officer, charged with project appraisal, monitoring and implementation. I was head of Statistics Department in charge of collection, collation and interpretation of the Bank Data for management.

Rose in this capacity to the rank of Senior Assistant Manager and Deputy Manager and Voluntarily resigned from service in 1998 to pick up an appointment with the commercial Bank; All State Trust Bank Plc as Deputy Manager Head of marketing at the Kaduna and Maiduguri branches respectively. While in the Commercial Bank, She served in various capacities; as head Public relations and customer care also head of treasury and private placements.

 

Retired from the bank in the year 2000 to start a personal business Enterprise. Started a career in the media industry in 2005 with the LEADERSHIP Newspaper as head of advertisement, Special Project and Business Development. As head of the department, she coordinated and directed the advert manager and his team to ensure proper in flow of adverts and Placement. She developed special projects for government establishments and private organizations, designing special focus, showcasing and branding these establishments for revenue generation for the media organization.

In 2015, LEADERSHIP NEWS PAPER GROUP appointed me her Executive Director Conferences and Strategic initiatives. She developed and organized series of LEADERSHIP NEWSPAPERS Group yearly Conference and Awards for Notable personalities, industry leaders and credible government officials. This is an annual lecture and award series which brings together -African Leaders both present and past and the cream de la cream of the Nigeria society. An annual conference which brings together African Leaders to discuss national issues and seek to proffer solutions as to the way forward on any issues of National interest.

She Voluntarily resigned her appointment with THE LEADERDHIP Newspaper, to take up an active role in the management of the Media and public Relation Consultancy Firm; BLUEDROPS NIG. LTD.

She is a registered Member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), played very active roles in the election process of 2015. A Member field Operation During the 2015 campaign saddled with monitoring and evaluating the election materials. Also, a member of the APC committee of INEC Relation in preparation for the 2015 election. A member of the BSO election process monitoring situation room at Lobito Crescent.

Secretary of ABIA state congress 2019, A member of Buhari Support Organization media and publicity for the 2019 Campaign strategy. Member of the First Lady’s Campaign initiative; women and youths. Nominated to serve as a member of the Support group of the Presidential Campaign council.

 

Ambassador Peters Sunday Omologbe Emuze is a Nigerian diplomat with over 40 years of experience in the Foreign Service. He has held a variety of positions, including head of mission at the Nigerian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, director of the 2nd United Nations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja, and deputy director of the 3rd United Nations Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He is currently an Independent Expert at the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UNCESCR). He has attended international conferences in 45 countries and published a book on the UN role in the Rwanda and Burundi genocide.

He represented Nigeria as a member of the Human Rights Council. He served as the coordinator for the African Group of Ambassadors on WIPO matters, president of the UN Conference on Disarmament as well as served as a member of the delegation for Nigerian Strategic Partnership Agreements with China and the European Union. He was the secretary of the Political Systems Subcommittee of Nigeria’s Electoral Reform Committee.

He is a highly experienced and accomplished diplomat with a deep understanding of international relations. He is also a strong advocate for human rights and economic, social, and cultural rights.

Alhaji Shettima Bukar is a visionary entrepreneur and an astute business man with over 2 decades of vast business experience and financial investments. He also has very outstanding knowledge and expertise in the travel and tourism industry and other related services. He has a Diploma in Financial studies from Ramat Polytechnic and Degree in Business Management from the prestigious University of Maiduguri.

In 2008, he set up Sal Muftah Travel and Tours Ltd in Maiduguri, a leading travel agency in Nigeria renowned for airlifting pilgrims to Saudi-Arabia on pilgrimage to the Holy land for Umrah/Hajj operations. He had served as a protocol officer at the Borno State Government House when Senator Ali Modu Sherirf was Governor of the State. Shortly after Ali Modu Sheriff left office, he set up Sal Muftah Investment Limited  as Events Management Company, that specializes in planning, organizing and arranging events across the North East of Nigeria, including the provision of rental, media and publicity  services.   

In 2013, he extended the services of two companies to Abuja, FCT. As an innovative thinker and a great manager of persons, Alhaji Shettima Bukar, has within 10 years, led his team of experts to venture into providing a multi-disciplinary range of services by delivering rich solutions to help customers meet their core business obligations and services. These services include but not limited to logistics and cargo services, printing services, ICT services and general contracts and supplies.

Rakiya holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, an MA in Human Resource Management, and an MSc in International Business, as well as Certificates in Management, Project Management, Terrorism and Security Studies, Organic Farming, Monitoring and Evaluation and Public Relations. She has over 15 years of cumulative experience in Administration, Public Relations, Project Development and Research.

Sir. Bola Abimbola Emmanuel, is a social entrepreneur and currently serves as the Senior Program Manager and Head of Programs, Communication and Advocacy, at Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development (SCDDD).

He has close to two decades of experience working on democracy, conflict management, public policy, community development and institutional reforms.

Through his works, he has proactively engaged institutions and critical stakeholders across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and a few Africa countries, such as;   Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia, etc advocating for improved socio-economic and political ecosystems. Sir. Bola, as he is fondly called is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Jos, Nigeria.

Sir Bola is a fellow of the United States Institute of Peace Generation Change as well as the International Republican Institute Generation Democracy Fellow amongst others.