TOWN UNION MEETING OF MONDAY 25TH APRIL 2011
This meeting was held at Sir, Basil Offor’s country home, Amankwo Ndiagu Oghe
The meeting started at about 12.30 noon with an opening prayer said by Pastor Ejike Sylvester. Because of time constraint, the past minutes was not read, as many people have already read it online from the town union website.
Opening remark by the President General (PG)
The PG, Nwabueze Chijioke, welcomed every body and said that today’s meeting is special as some special people (Important personalities in the community) were invited to join the town union meeting toady. He said that the essence of inviting these personalities is for all of us to put head together and see how we can develop our beloved community Amankwo Oghe. He thanked the invitees for making it possible, despite their tight schedules. He stressed that the town union invited almost every known individuals that are doing something tangible (more than 70 in number) to be part of this meeting. . The president pointed out that this meeting is the first time the Town Union meeting is being hosted with even a sachet of water since his regime took office in December 2009. He thanked the chief host, Sir Basil Offor, for providing the wonderful conducive environment and the entertainments for the day’s meeting.
The PG in his speech made it clear that one of the major problems militating against progress in this community is nepotism (people thinking about Amankwo Ndiagu, Amankwo Imezi, Umuenechi, Okunito, Enugwuagu). He said it is time we do away with that kind of reasoning, open up and be one another’s brothers, co-operate and be united. The PG informed us that he made effort to bring home the 40 seater desk at Enugu but was told that the ones that were available has been taken other communities.
Hon. Festus Magbo said that some people are so selfish that they will constitute a hindrance to other people’s achievement just because they don’t want any development that will come without them taking the glory. He said he want this house to advice those who sabotage the effort of the town union, people like Hon. Gef Ozor and co. Magbo said the most important thing is to find a way of financing the activities of the town union. He said that some of these men of honour in the executive have no tangible means of livelihood, yet they spend their time and money for the general good of the community.
The secretary, Engr. Silas Anonde, highlighted on the progress made so far by the present regime since their inception in December 28, 2009. Among which were:
1. The creation of the town union website and publishing all the activities of the town union including the meeting minutes on the site. He said the website attracted the interest of our people to the Town union.
2. Making of the foremost constitution of Amankwo Oghe and the registration of the town union with the Local Government Council.
3. Liaising with both the state and local government authorities to attract dividends of Democracy to the community. He said a water borehole project was going on at Amankwo Imezi, The dilapidated Primary school at Amankwo Ndiagu was rebuilt by the state government and the community road was graded in December 2010 by the Local Government Council, more promises were made.
The secretary also used the opportunity to list the agenda for the day’s meeting as following
1. Funding of vital activities in the community: - The town Union, The Neighbourhood watch.
2. Beefing up the Igwe’s cabinet
3. Reviving our primary schools
After the secretary’s speech, contributions/suggestions started coming randomly from the house.
Engr. Ejike Anigbo. The chairman of the constitution committee also briefed the house on how the constitution was made by researching on other exiting constitutions of the neighboring communities, especially the ones made by some notable barristers and justices of the court..
Engr. Anigbo talked on the Igwe’s cabinet, he said that we should emulate other communities that use young talented people, mostly graduates, to make up their Igwe’s cabinet. He said that when such people are made chief they will be the one that will constitute the Igwe’s cabinet, while the old people who are there now should go to the traditional council. Engr. Ejike equally informed us that our brothers in the United States of America are interested in funding the Neighbourhood watch, that they demanded to know the cost and for how long.
Mr. Gerald Makwe suggested we should have long term, medium term and short term funding. He said different groups/organizations like the age grades, branches of town unions should take responsibility of part of the funding. He said that the Abuja branch, which he is representing are united and that they will contribute their own quota.
Mr. Charly Okwesili said himself and his brothers will not be part of any contribution in this town except if there will be a change from what it used to be. He said that enemies are too many, that people used to run down other people’s progress. He later withdrawn his statement and said he will be part of whatever the town union is doing for the progress of the community.
Mr. Maxwell Alizo (MAXON EX-RAY Onitsha), said the problem of our community is nothing but false hood. He said that many cases that are generating hostilities in the community could have been settled if people were saying the truth. Mr. Maxwell suggested we should form stake holders meeting.
Pastor Sylvester Ejike suggests that we embark on a tangible project like electricity. That he will be happy to contribute to such project. The PG in response to that, said we should not be bothered about electricity, road and water as there was a firm promise by both the federal and state government agencies for the provisions of the above for the community. He was applauded for the contacts he has with the government
Mr. Peter Okafor was of the opinion that the town union should make effort to pay visits to the braches of development unions of the community outside the state to sensitize them on the activities of the town union and also help to settle disputes among them in the cities where they are not united.
At this juncture, a Rev Fr. in our mist, the new parish priest of St. Theresa’s parish Oghe was given the opportunity to address us. The Rev Fr. was invited by the chief host Sir Basil Offor.
The Rev Fr. gave us words of admonishment, citing several quotations from the bible. He told us that the progress of our community lies on our hands. He said that God can only help this community through people and therefore those who God wants to use must make themselves available otherwise God will punish them and push them aside. He told those who are afraid of coming home to this community because of evil men in the community, to fear no more as he has consecrated this community to God. He said he has declared since he came to Oghe that those who involve themselves in devilish things to kill others or prevent another person’s progress will either repent or they must surely die. He said we should encourage all our brothers to start coming.home He said he will continue to dedicate this community to God.
The Rev fr. said he came for two purposes. 1) The completion of the church building and 2) the ordination of a rev. fr. in our parish that is coming up 2nd of July, 2011. He said there were no preparations made for the ordination. He gave out his phone number and account numbers and pleaded for support. He prayed and blessed us before he left.
Mr. Samuel Ikwuezeagu said there is some money belonging to the youths which they have been keeping for some time now. He said they are looking for an opportunity to hand over the money to the community.
Sir, Basil Offor thanked the Town union for their gallant effort, he remarked that there is great improvement in the current leadership of the town union from what it used to be. He informed us that the Amankwo community in Lagos is now united through his effort. He said that they in Lagos have been projecting the image of the community through the media. He presented to the town union two newspapers and a magazine containing news about Amankwo community which was made possible by the Lagos branch. He promise he is going to talk to his Lagos branch about our financial problems and assured us that we will receive positive response in no distance time.
Mr. Christopher Ozomma, former secretary of the town union, praised the effort of the present executives and reminded us that some people have been keeping the mantle before now. He said that all the discussions have been on general issues and will want us to start taking the agenda one by one, so that wherever we stop today we can continue next time.
Chief Innocent Madueke said he has been praying God for this town union to stand and today he is thanking God for answering his prayers. He made a cash donation of ten Thousand naira (N10, 000) to support the town union.
Chief Edwin Okechukwu commended the town union especially for the constitution, he said he was marveled after reading the constitution and that is why he personally objected to the obstacles the Igwe cabinet was puting to the town union.
Capt. P.C Ozoagu said we should go ahead with the agenda. He informed us that the cottage hospital project, which is being executed by the Oghe Social Development Association, has commenced with the building of the structures.
Goody Ozongwu, who resides in Ogun state, challenged every good people in the community to rise up and subdue the bad. He believes that the good people in the community are more than the bad ones and so we should not keep quite and allow the bad to triumph.
The donations N
1. Igwenagu Betrand 5,000 cash
2. Ogbuchi Elias 2,000 cash
3. Samuel Ikwezeagu 1,000 pledge
4. Engr. Uzodife Nichodemus 2,000 pledge
5. Godwin Ozongwu 1,000 cash
6. Ejike Sylvester 2,000 cash
7. James Mary Onuoha 1,000 pledge
8. Charles Okwesili 10,000 pledge
9. Fredrick Ozoagu 5,000 cash
10. Lawrence Offor 1,000 cash
11. Chief Innocent Madueke 10,000 cash
12. Peter Okafor 500 cash
13. Charles Igboli 10,000 pledge
14. Sir. Basil Offor 20,000 pledge
15. Chinedu Chijioke 2,000 cash
16. Oliver Obieze 5,000 pledge
TOTAL DANATION N 77,500
Total cash N 28,500
The cash was handed over to the treasurer.
Some of the people that made pledges demanded for the town union bank account number for redemption of their pledges. The town union has no bank account. It was agreed right there that the town union should open an account with any bank of their choice, in accordance wit the constitution.
The house also agreed that we should have new chiefs to invigorate the Igwe’s cabinet.
On the issue of Igwe and his cabinets, the town union president, Mr. Nwabueze Chijioke, suggested that we should uplift the status of our Igwe by at least providing a car for him and building a conference hall for him in his palace. However, the house did not give it approval, as many were of the opinion that the Igwe did not deserve it.
Sir Basil Offor invited the house to accompany him to his in-laws burial ceremony on 6th of May 2011.
Motion for adjournment was moved by Samuel Ikwezeagu, seconded by Sir Basil Offor. The meeting was adjourned at about 4.30pm with a closing prayer said by Livinus Emehelu.
TOWN UNION ACCOUNT INFORMATION
Bank: UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (UBA) Plc.
Account Name. AMANKWO OGHE TOWN UNION
Account Number: 01210640001216
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