The months of August and September 2021 have historically gone down as eventful in the annals of the Abuja Branch of Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide. The two months respectively ushered in new executive committees for the Men’s and Women’s wings.
The elections which had to be deferred from May and August 2020 due to the global consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the glory of God Almighty were held on the August 1, 2021 for Men’s Wing and September 5, 2021 for Women’s Wing. Both elections, the first to hold successively in two months in the life of the branch, have been adjudged the most credible, freest and fairest; proving once again the strong internal administrative mechanisms of this great branch.
The Executive Committees which have since hit the ground running has the following newly elected officers:
MEN’S WING:
1. Mazi Sam OGUNDU – President
2. Mazi Innocent Emmanuel Okoronkwo – 1st Vice President
3. MaziUbachukwuNnanna – 2nd Vice President
4. Hon UchechukwuOkorafor – Secretary
5. Engr Darlington Ogbonnaya – Assistant Secretary
6. MaziUcehnnia Ogbonna – Treasurer
7. Mazi Charles OsonduAjali – Financial Secretary
8. Arch Tochukwu Kingsley Umezurike – Assistant Financial Secretary
9. Mazi Frank SopuruchiUmeham- Public Relations Officer
10. Engr Chris Dike Ezenta – Welfare Officer
11. Ms EvlynNkechinyereOkwara – Assistant Welfare Officer
12. N’mazi Pius OkoraforNlewedim – Provost
13. Ms Chinyere Nwankwo – Assistant Provost, and
14. Mazi Ugochukwu Johnson Orji – Curator.
WOMEN’S WING
1. Barr Mrs Ivy Adi-Elekwa – President
2. Mrs ChiomaOsuagwu – 1st Vice President
3. Mrs Lena Nkumeh – 2nd Vice President
4. Mrs Anita Umeham – Secretary
5. Mrs Helen Emmanuel Orji – Assistant Secretary
6. Mrs Irene Chinemeze Nwosu- Treasurer
7. Mrs Georgia Armstrong – Financial Secretary
8. Mrs Sandra Okorafor – Assistant Financial Secretary
9. Mrs Meg Orobo-AveruOnyejuruwa – Public Relations Officer
10. Mrs Lilian C. Orlando – Welfare Officer
11. Mrs Favour Chris – Assistant Welfare Officer
12. Pastor Mrs Comfort Jakes Nwaobilor – Provost
13. Mrs Nkechi Okechukwu – Assistant Provost
14. Mrs Patience Daniel Otusi – Curator
15. Barr Mrs Dorcas N. Ngwu – Legal Adviser.
THE NEWLY ELECTED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF NZUKO AROCHUKWU ABUJA BRANCH HITS THE GROUND RUNNING: SETS PACE WITH FIRST LEADERSHIP/STAKEHOLDERS RETREAT TO BUILD AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ADMINISTRATION.
The newly elected executive committee of NzukoAro Abuja Branch led by Mazi Sam Ogundu who came on the saddle on the 1st August ,2021 after series of strategic meetings and consultations with members and stakeholders held a 1st All Nzuko Arochukwu Leadership/Stakeholders Retreat on Sunday, December 5, 2021.
The event which took place at the Dr Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture had in attendance more than 120 past and present executives; patrons and matrons, Chairmen and Secretaries of village unions/associations registered with NzukoAro Abuja, FAYA President and Secretary; and other stakeholders drawn from different groups and villages within the Arochukwu community living in FCT Abuja.
The main objective of the retreat includes the following:
■ To provide a platform for intellectual discus on issues affecting Abuja branch.
■ To create an avenue for cross fertilization of ideas on topical issues as it affects our commitment to Aro unity and projects both in Abuja, Home and worldwide.
■ To act as a forum to set agenda on tropical socio-economic and political issues, by enhance our cohesive existence as a Kingdom.
■ To galvanize our collective support both financially, mentally and otherwise for the actualization of Aro Legacy House Project in Abuja.
Dr. Friday Ohuche who delivered the Keynote Address, also doubled as the Moderator of the Plenary, spoke on the Theme of the Retreat: Strengthening the Ties of Unity among UmuAro towards Community Service and Development.
Dr Ohuche challenged UmuAro at home and in diaspora to always look inwards for what they can do to improve the cause of AroKingdom and place same over and above their personal interest.
The Retreat had three Sessions of Panel discussions with three participants each. They include the following: the first Panel ▪Mr AustineRogers Nwoke, Founder HASAL Microfinance Bank; Engr Sir GoddyIjoma and Prof. Joseph Nnanna. The second Panal had ▪Mazi Sir Sunny Anicho Okoro, Mazi Engr Alex Ezuma and Mazi Barr AdinduElekwa, and the third Panel comprised▪Senator Dr MAO Ohuabunwa, Engr Sir GoddyIjoma and Engr Friday Nwaka.
The Panel discussions centred on key Issues such as: Unity Amongst UmuAro; Community Service and Development; Recapitalization and Reviving of the Nzuko Arochukwu Abuja Branch Thrift and Loans Society (NAABTALS); Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide CEC Elections 2022; theAro-Okeigbo Legacy House Abuja Project; and other related and relevant issues.
The Panelists observed that Unity starts with constant conversation/ interactions amongst UmuAro for better understanding. They posited that meaningful development can only be achieved when there is understanding peace and unity between the led and the leaders at all levels.
The Panelists stressed that being Igbos, the Aros are Progressives, and that the progressiveness should reflect in all our engagements at all levels. They reminded the participants that every NwaAro is important in the scheme of things therefore, should be well informed and encouraged to participate in the activities of NzukoAro without prejudices.
They recommended that NzukoAro Abuja should identify and recognize its areas of strength and utilize same for the development of the branch and its members on one hand, and the progress of the Aro Kingdom on the other.
They encouraged the NzukoAro Abuja executives to do everything possible as a matter of urgency to secure the proper and final documentations of the acquired land for the Arochukwu Legacy house with FCTA/AGIS on or before the end of the first quarter of 2022. They stressed further that the land which was acquired in 2017, and the structural designs already done, should be updated to accommodate multipurpose commercial structures.
It was agreed that “The building project should be segmented and evaluated to attract everyone’s participation irrespective of class or level of contributions.
The Panelists also mandated the executives to select and list members according to their categories/capacity and appeals made to them for financial supports to get the C of O for the land, Fencing and Construction of the Multipurpose House.
They also recommended the need to set up a system that can manage the NzukoAro Thrift and Cooperative Society as a commercial and profitable venture that makes and gives out money to members just as Micro finance banks do.
“The Cooperative Society should not be operated as a philanthropic venture, but as profitable enterprise because no business can be sustained using philanthropic approach. Once a suitable business model is streamlined, backed up with well-structured policies, the cooperative will naturally create jobs and opportunities for both members and associates”, the Panelists emphasized.
Contributing at the event, Sen Mao Ohuabunwa, former Senator representing Abia North in the 8th Senate, said the Aro Kingdom needs political power to reposition itself within the political spectrum of Abia State and Nigeria in general. He said, this has become very important giving the fact that 2023 is around the corner. “There is need for more sensitization and mobilization to create more awareness”.
“There should be a massive campaign for every Nwa-Aro to transfer his/her voter registration to Arochukwu before the 2023 general elections”, the former lawmaker pointed out.
The Senator commended the new Executive of NzukoAro Abuja Branch for its innovativeness in organizing such an important event. He appealed to them to make the Retreat a continual project, not just a one-off thing.
The Retreat had an Interactive session where participants were given opportunity for questions and answers, suggestions and observations which was well documented.
Finally, the Retreat rose with a Communique’ that clearly cuts out the tasks before the Executive Committee and the Branch in the next three years and beyond.
There were of course, plenty of merry making in terms of light refreshments and music., even as the event streamed live on Facebook to give our members who were not at the Retreat the opportunity to follow online.
Congratulations Nzuko Arochukwu Abuja Branch. Ndi Nzuko Arochukwu Abuja Branch naasindi executive, “inyiemela, jisien’ike”.
Uchechukwu Okoroafor
Secretary
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