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Region 5 First Annual General Meeting- Minutes' Summary
Recorded By: The General Secretary
Date: April 15, 2006
Place: Atlanta Georgia, USA
Present: Dr. Adai Ibrahim, Madam Christy Chapman, Mr. John Chapman,
Mr. Abdul Azeez Musa, Dr. Joseph Akomodi, Dr. Sunday Abraham, Mr.
Onipe. A. Okomanyi, Madam Mary Akomodi, Mrs. Bukola Okomanyi and Miss
Victoria Abraham
Opening Prayer
The meeting started with the opening prayer by Madam Mary Akomodi,
who asked God to provide us with guidance and vision to carry out our
noble mission successfully.
Opening Speech by the National President
In his opening speech the president reflected on how EVI came into
existence, sighting the construction of 36 bore holes across
Ebiraland by Mr. Ahmed Ogembe. The president highlighted that
history has been made with the creation of EVI, that whatever we do
will affect the lives of generations to come, and that we must be
tactful and considerate in our deliberations. The president closed
his opening speech by introducing the executive members of EVI.
Current Crisis in Ebiraland and EVI's Vision for Resolution
The national president indicated that the current crisis in Ebiraland
originated in Obehira and then quickly spread to other regions of
Ebiraland. The president, classifying the violence in Ebiraland
as "notorious episode", stated that the crisis has done significant
damage to our image in Nigeria. He stressed that there is need to
seek a lasting solution to the problems and that we need to focus on
resolving youths' unemployment and illiteracy. The president
reiterated the need to send delegates to Ebiraland to meet with the
local leaders, politicians, commissioners and other community leaders
in an effort to identify means of diffusing the turmoil.
EVI Structure and Interaction Strategy
The General Secretary introduced to the participants of the meeting
the components of EVI and proposed interaction strategy to enable
meaningful coordination of EVI's activities. After minor corrections,
the structure and interaction strategy was adopted. Each regional
representative will work independently while reporting to the central
region. Please read the details in the power point presentation.
Competitive Aspects of Fund Raising Activities/strategies
The speech was delivered by Professor Adai Sooliman Ibrahim,
stressing the basic elements of fund raising, which includes
philosophy/purpose, goals, objectives, need focus, funds & resources
re-alignment and delivery of service. Professor A. Ibrahim provided
deep insight on successful fund raising philosophy. Overall, he
stressed that fund raising is necessary because of lack of resources
(human, financial, material and collaboration).
The following Messages Were Read as The Speakers Could not Make it to
the Conference
- Message by Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Thelma Bello- based on
their personal experience, this couple believes that reforming the
Ebira youths should be a key focus of EVI while recognizing that this
poses a major challenge in our bid towards salvaging the future of
Ebira people.
- Message by Chief Momoh Obaro – Chief Obaro commended EVI
members for showing concern and trying to proffer solution to the
myriads of problems confronting the Ebira people. He stressed that
the solution to the problems is that the Ebira community and indeed
the rest of the country need as a matter of urgency heavy investment
in education in its different forms, cultural reforms, youths
employment and providing social amenities.
- Mathew Raji Andah's Report on "The Fourth Annual Meeting of
Ebira Descendants in the European Union. Bochum, Germany 11th –12th
February 2006
Mr. M. Andah's report highlighted on the decision reached at the
meeting to institute Orpah Enimituhi (financial contribution)
starting in May 2006. The signatories to this Orpah, as of now, five
individuals, would make monthly contribution of ˆ200 (two hundred
Euro) with the total sum (ˆ1000) being given to one of five
individuals every month for a period of five months. The recipients
of the Orpah would pay 10% (ˆ100) of the total sum to the account of
Ebira Descendants in EU. In Mr. Andah's report, it was stressed that
there is the need to help the Homeboys and ladies arriving in Europe
to enable them to quickly adapt to the new environment. The messages
from Abbass Momoh, founder of Ebira Peace Project, and Chief Momoh
Obaro on the escalating violence in Ebiraland were read at the Ebira
Descendants' Fourth Annual Meeting.
Mr. John Chapman
Mr. J. Chapman originally from Trinidad, now an American Citizen, is
an acquaintance of Madam Christy Chapman, our sister in New York. Mr.
Chapman spent four years in Nigeria (where he met Christy) with
major part of this time spent in Ebiraland. Mr. Chapman used to
participate in Ebira cultural events, singing and chanting our
lyrics, following Ecu Imodu and carrying sticks. Mr. Chapman lived in
Nigeria in the 70s' and indicated that he is appalled that peace-
loving land like Ebira is now undergoing this turmoil. He
participated in most of the discussions posing questions regarding
the origin of clans and the distinction between them. In answer to
Mr. Chapman's question, we went through the clans of the participants
in the meeting and their relationship to each other. It was concluded
that due to the origin of Ebira people in general that the
superiority of one clan over the other is based on artificial claims
and that due to intermarriage between the clans this violence is a
vicious circle threatening to destroy the entire Ebira land. Mr.
Chapman pledges to contribute his own financial support, stating in
quote " the Ebira people were nice to me and I would like to help in
return". We are indeed grateful to Madam Christy Chapman for bringing
Mr. Chapman to the meeting.
Formation of Committees
Three committees will be formed: a) Problem Identification Committee;
b) Fund Raising Committee; c) Grant Writing Committee.
EVI's strategic plan for resolution of crisis in Ebiraland - by the
General Secretary
The General Secretary presented the plan for resolution of crisis in
Ebiraland, providing specific details on sending delegates to
Ebiraland to meet with various sectors of the society. This plan was
unanimously accepted.
Donations
A total of 4500 US dollars was raised in response to the president's
call for donations. It was agreed that for EVI to successfully carry
out its mission of sending delegates to Ebiraland, we will need a
total of 10, 000 US dollars. It is strongly encouraged that each
member contributes to this effort. Our intention is to raise this sum
in two months' time. Procedure will be provided by the treasurer on
how to remit money to EVI account.
Annual Due
Three suggestions were made for the annual dues. It was agreed that
250 US dollars is a reasonable amount for the annual due for the
central region (region 5: North America). This amount could be
contributed at once or in the form of installment within the year.
Help to Our Brother in Financial Need
10 % of the 4500 US dollars ($ 450) raised was given to the one of
our brothers who needs financial assistance. Other assistance is
being rendered to this individual in ensuring that he settles well in
the US.
Leads to Acquiring other Members
Madam Christy Chapman provided several leads to other Anebrans in the
US. Upon telephone conversations, these individuals pledge to attend
next year meeting. Professor Adai Ibrahim also promises to get some
other Anebrans to register with EVI.
Spreading the Message
The General Secretary presented an idea of creating T-shirts bearing
the name of EVI and carrying message that calls for peaceful co-
existence in Ebiraland. This idea was supported. Professor Adai
Ibrahim indicated he has been doing similar things among the school
kids to eliminate violence during inter-school soccer matches.
Next Year Annual General Meeting
Next year annual general meeting has been tentatively scheduled to
hold in Maryland in the US. The month of `April' has been declared as
meeting month.
Accounts
EVI is in the process of opening an account. Direct donations to the
account are possible once the account is ready. Details will be
provided by the Treasurer.
Adjournment of First EVI AGM (Central Region)
After closing remarks by the National President and the General
Secretary, the meeting was adjourned. The participants took group
photos and dispersed to their various destinations.
For specific details (highly recommended) please click here...
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