Orsu Local Government Association (OLGA) USA
Minutes of the Teleconference of the Fourth Interim Executive Committee Meeting Held on January 23, 2004
Attendance:
Chief Dickson Ezeala, Tallahassee, FL
Hilary Obiagwu, Columbus, OH
Lolo Cecilia Obilom, Austin, TX
Dr. Asopuru Okemgbo, Richland, WA
Chief Austin Okoye, Dallas, TX
Absentee*
Chief Ken Ike, Dallas, TX
Observers in attendance:
Dr. Osita Afoaku, Bloomington, IN
Dr. Amos Ozumba, Houston, TX
The meeting was called to order at about 9.25 PM EST. Dr. Okemgbo offered the opening prayer.
Introduction of the Interim Executive Committee (IEC) to the Observers
Chief Dickson Ezeala, the Interim President introduced the IEC Teleconference to Dr. Osita Afoaku and Dr. Amos Ozumba who were observers at the meeting.
Adoption of Minutes of the last Teleconference
The minutes of the 6hNovember 2003 Teleconference was adopted by a motion moved by Lolo Cecilia Obilom and seconded by Hil Obiagwu.
Matters Arising from the Minutes
Matters arising from the Minutes were listed in the agenda for the meeting and as such discussed as the business of the day.
Convention 2004
Chief Ezeala gave a brief update on the forthcoming 2004 convention. He mentioned that the Planning Committee met on January 18 and declared that they had arranged for a hotel 6r the C6nvent at the rate of $59.00/night. The Dates for the convention confirmed for July 2-5, 2004. In addition, the Chairman of the convention planning committee was able to arrange for the same rate for both pre- and post convention period with the hotel for up to one week. The hotel would give continental breakfast. The five families from OLGA at Miami also have taken it upon themselves to provide lunch and dinner throughout the convention period. The hotel number and location will be made available at the OLGA list group.
The Banquet Hall for the hotel would cost $100.00 each day. The hotel is in-land. There were a number of questions, concerns and discussion on the issue of the venue for the convention. These included whether the hotel is a comfortable place to stay and the conditions of the rooms. Chief Austin Okoye emphasized that Howard Johnson Hotel must be avoided. To ensure that the venue meets the need for the convention, Chief Ezeala planned to personally go to Miami to see things for himself.
Membership Drive
Membership drive database has been posted to the OLGA list group. There was a call for verification and filling of gaps in the database. The mailing addresses from the database will be used for mass mailing especially to those that do not have email addresses.
Update on the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC)
Dr. Okemgbo gave a brief summary of the activities of the CDC. He explained that plans have been made to develop a response link at a web site for people to comment on the working-draft constitution. A teleconference for the CDC is being arranged for February. Suggestions were made to include mailing the draft to physical addresses. There were suggestions also that before copies are made available to members; the CDC should first compile a complete draft of the constitution. Gaps in the working draft should be filled. Chief Ezeala indicated that he would be sending his comments. Dr. Afoaku, also a member of the CDC called for an immediate convening of the teleconference of the CDC so as to define the structure of the constitution and apportion sections of to the members for effective division f labor for the timely completion of the draft constitution.
Dr. Amos Ozumba’s Comments on the formation of OLGA
Dr. Ozumba greeted the IEC and used the opportunity to clarify his stance on the formation of OLGA. He indicated that because he would be involved in another conference shortly, he would not be able to stay to the end of the IEC meeting but wanted to be sure he passed his observations and concerns before he exited from the meeting. He narrated that when how was first contacted for the Maiden OLGA Convention held in Dallas, TX, he observed that the convention was already scheduled and felt that he ought to have been contacted prior to the scheduling of the event. He also mentioned that OLGA posses a potential of conflict of interest for him being that he formed the famous Orsummano Association in Houston way back when, years before the idea of OLGA was muted. He emphasized that a bigger umbrella association might serve the interest of Orsu people better by being more effective than the narrower focus that OLGA tend to scope in its membership. He then made a call for all efforts to be focused on embracing the original and bigger Orsummano association that he said has many branches already. He further mentioned that he had formed many associations and is interested in the association of our people.
Another issue that he raised was the proper etiquettes and protocols in calling people by their first names or last names and associated titles. He emphatically recommended that for consistency, the IEC should stick to a protocol that either calls everyone by his or her first names or last names and or with their titles.
In response to these issues raised by Dr. Ozumba, Chief Ezeala suggested that the issues of the scope and membership should be further discussed and ironed out. He assured Dr. Ozumba that he would receive a copy of the minutes of the meeting. Hil Obiagwu did not hesitate to ask Dr. Ozumba a question as to whether there have been an already existing Orsu LA Association to which Dr. Ozumba answered in affirmation it has existed for the past 19 years. Hil followed up that the Orsu association that he has heard about was that of Orsummano that is definitely different than the OLGA that has a political boundary of the current Orsu LGA made of 7 communities with respect to the Orsummano issue that was raised. Dr. Ozumba did not hesitate to explain that the Orsummano association has long existed and emphasized again that a bigger body would serve better than the fragmentation of the Orsummano association. To this question Chief Ezeala observed that Orsummano association can co-exist with OLGA and that it was never any intent to destabilize the Orsummano association through the formation of OLGA. At this point, Dr. Ozumba had to leave because of another engagement. Dr. Afoaku observed that there is a place to draw the boundary and or scope of any association. He reiterated that OLGA should be able to have a workable structure that would coordinate with the home front, having observed that Orsummano as a political entity no longer existed. Chief Okoye stated that the 2004 Miami Convention would be a great opportunity to end this Orsummano debate. However, Dr. Okemgbo called every ones attention that at the 2003 Dallas Convention, a motion for the formation of OLGA based on the political boundary of the 7 communities that made up Orsu LGA was unanimously adopted and hence the voting in of Interim Executive Committee, CDC, Florida Convention ion 2004, etc. Lolo Obilom did not hesitate to concur with the observation and further pointed out that there we should gather the momentum on moving OLGA forward.
Year 2003 Statement of Account
Hil Obiagwu gave a brief summary of the account. It was agreed that he should send the statement of account to all by email.
Other Issue
Dr. Afoaku thanked the IEC for the opportunity of being invited to participate as an observer in the teleconference. He also expressed appreciation for the efforts made so far in moving the association forward. He encouraged the IEC to address people as each person would wish in line with “Nke onye chiri, ya zere.”
Adjournment
The Teleconference adjourned following a motion to adjourn moved by Chief Okoye and seconded by Hil Obiagwu.
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