Tribute to Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali

Brigadier-General Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd) was born on August 25, 1959 at Birnin-Magaji in Zamfara state to the late Alhaji Mohammed Mode Dan-Ali’s family, who was the first emir of Nirnin-Magaji Emirate. His quest for knowledge led him to obtain maximum training in Arabic Alphabet, graduating in the recitation of the Holy Qur’an at a tender age.

In his ambition to acquire both Islamic and Western education, he secured admission into Government Secondary School, Shinkafi, where he excelled in every subject.  On completion of his secondary education (1972-1977), he proceeded to obtain Higher National Diploma (HND) in Photogrammetric and Survey Engineering (GIS) from Kaduna Polytechnic (1977-1982). He crowned his educational career with Masters’ Degrees in different disciplines.
He obtained Masters’ Degrees in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA) from Bayero University, Kano (2004-2005); Security Studies, from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, in 2009. In order to fulfill his lifetime ambition of becoming a military officer, he enrolled in Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, where he was successfully commissioned as a lieutenant in December 1984.

Due to his zeal towards his educational career, he attended several courses on his own personal capacity and officially by the military authority at both home and abroad. Among these are: Artillery Young Officer Course (YOC) at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA), Kachia, Artillery Intelligence Officers Course (AIOC), Artillery Staff Officers Course (ASOC), Battery Commander Course (BCC) and Regimental Commanders Course (RCC). Others are Junior Staff Course at Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College (GAFCSC) at Teshie –Ghana, Company Command’s Course (CCC) at Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI) and Senior Staff Course at Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji in 2000 / 2001.
Brigadier-General Mohammad Mansur Dan-Ali has served in different capacities in both command and staff. Some of his major appointments were: a Captain 311 Artillery Regiment Epe. He served as Battery Captain, Adjutant and Battery Commander from 1985 – 1988.

He was also Company Commander/Instructor at Short Service Wing at NDA 1994 – 1996, as a Lt. Col. He was General Officer Training, Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (HQ NACA) from 1996 – 1998. He also served in Army Headquarters Operations as General Staff Officer Examination between 1998 and 2000, and Garrison Commander at 32 Artillery Brigade, Abeokuta.
The General was also at AFCSC as Directing Staff (DS) from2003 -2005 and Colonel Courses at Army Headquarters, Abuja between 2005 – 2006. Commander 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) at Gombe from 2006 – 2008. Prior to attending National Defence College Bangladesh, he served as the Commander Nigerian Battalion at United Nations-African Union Hydrid Mission in Sudan (UNAMID).

He was posted back to NDA as Chief Instructor (CI) after successfully completing his NDC Course in 2010. He became Acting Director Military Training (DMT) before his posting to DHQ as Deputy Director, Procurement at Department of Logistics. He served as a Commander of the newly established 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure from 2012-2013, where he voluntarily retired from Nigerian Military August 30, 2013.

In the course of his military service, he was decorated with the following: Forces Meritorious and Distinguish Service Stars, Pass Staff Course (Dagger) Command and Field Command Medals. Others include Silver and Golden Jubilee medals, United Nations Defence College Bangladesh and a member of the Nigerian Armed Forces Polo Association where he represented the Nigerian Military at USA   and India at International Polo Tournament.

While in service, he was able to assist many Nigerian, especially indigenes of North-west Zone, his catchment area. He is a man of the people out to render selfless service to his nation Nigeria. Testimonies of his good works abound. He made sure that people working under him got their dues promptly. He is very hardworking, apt and astute professional that this nation should require his service even in retirement. Also to his credit is a school called El-Amin Nursery/Primary School he personally built and donated to his community. A man retired but never tired; he is Brigradier General Manur Muhammad Dan-Ali.

Dan-Ali was decorated with many military honours including FSS, MSS and DSS. Others are Harmony and UNAMID Medals. Dan-Ali was nominated as a delegate tothe National Conference based on his meritorious service to the nation. This is by no means small achievement. We commend his nomination and believe it will offer him the opportunity to give the nation his best.
Dan-Ali is also a renowned philanthropist. He is highly respected by all and sundry. He has attended various workshops, conferences and presented many papers on contemporary security issues both at home and abroad. He is currently the traditional title holder of Yariman Birnin Magaji.

He is a polite and straight forward person. The senior officer has visited several countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, America and Middle East. They include: Algeria, Niger Republic, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, South Africa, Sudan, Germany, UK, Pakistan, India and Turkey. Others are: USA, UAE, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia. His hobbies include horse riding (polo), jogging and travelling. He is happily married with children.

Shinkafi, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Abuja.