Ogbona Federated Union

OGBONA IMHAKHENA ASAMA FEDERATED UNION GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT (1987-2004)CHIEF MATTHIAS A AKPAIBOR

OGBONA IMHAKHENA ASAMA FEDERATED UNION GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT (1987-2004), CHIEF MATTHIAS A AKPAIBOR It gives me great pleasure to present to the Union this day, this report of my seventeen years in Office as the General Secretary of Ogbona Imhakhena Asama Federated Union. I hereby thank the entire community, both at home and abroad, for the opportunity given me to serve. I took over this office when it was in its infancy and I had little or nothing to start with the cooperation of the first, second, and third Presidents, Chief A. O. Itsuokor, Chief T. A. Osigbemhe JP. The Okphe-Ukpi of Ogbona and Arc. J.E.A Orbih respectively the union started growing from strength to strength. The Union was formed in 1976 with Protem Officers as Chief A. O. Itsuokor – President, Mr. G. I. Kadiri – Secretary and Chief M.A. Akpaibor as the Asst. Gen. Secretary. A constitution committee headed by Mr. P. S. Eleta was set up. The Draft Constitution was submitted in1982 and was adopted and passed into law in the same year. The first Union executive council members were elected into the following offices:- President – Chief A. O. Itsuokor – Lagos Branch Vice President – Mrs. S. A. Anetekhai- Benin Branch General Secretary – Dr. J. E. Umole – Benin Branch 1st Asst. Gen. Secretary – Chief M. A. Akpaibor – Warri Branch 2nd Asst. Gen. Secretary – Mr. P. Osigbemhe – Ibadan Branch Treasurer – Okhaemoi P. S. Eleta – Auchi Branch Financial Secretary – Mr. M. G. Enakpene – Auchi Branch Publicity Secretary – Sir P. M. Anaweokhai – Lagos Branch Social Secretary – Mr. R. A. Edogamhe – Benin Branch Legal Adviser – Chief C. A. Ekhasemomhe Kaduna Branch Ex-Officers – Mr. M. Asapokhai – Kano Branch “ – Mr. A. Oghena – Ile Ife Branch “ – Okhaemoi J. Edogamhe Ogbona Branch “ – Mr. A. Oyagha – Warri Branch “ – Mr. J. I. Odior – Ogbona Branch Patrons – Chief J. O. Odalumhe – Ogbona Branch “ – Mr. Francis Asekomhe – Ogbona Branch “ – Pa. Abu Idinokhai – Ogbona Branch “ – Pa. Odia Ikhane – Ogbona Branch “ – Pa Aleghe Orbih – Ogbona Branch Ogbona was elected to be the Headquarter of the Union and it was agreed that the name of the Union should be known as the “OGBONA IMHAKHENA FEDERATED UNION”. The financial branch unions were eight comprising, Auchi, Benin, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, and Warri while the homebody was dragging their feet over the name of the union. We are grateful to God today as the number has increased from eight branch members to ten branch members including the home branch, Abuja, Ilorin. Port-Harcourt branch which was one of the recently registered branches, is neither here nor there for reasons best known to them. The aims and objectives of the Union were well spelled out in the 1982 constitution. After one year in office, the General Secretary declined his post and I was appointed to act which I did for one year before I was appointed to the post of the General Secretary in 1985. When I took over the office, the financial branch members still remained at eight. The home which supposed to be the headquarters was still doubting whether to accept the name or to stay away because of the name. Then the financial position was very poor. The only main avenue for funding was the monthly subscriptions from the eight branches of the Union. The attendance of the executive council meetings was encouraging except for some branches whose members were not regular, mainly Ile-Ife and Kano. These two branches claimed that they always received letters late. After normalizing their postal addresses, the Ile-Ife branch complained that their members were new converts and that they would not accept the name “Ogbona Imhakhena Union” The Kano branch of the Union complained that due to frequent riots in Kano for the past years, the could not form any useful union. Recently, they informed the federated bodies that they had reorganized and would act fully Ile-Ife remains dormant to date. The union could not achieve any meaningful development during these years till 1986 because it embarked on the reconciliation of the two factions that were Asama and Abokhasomhi unions were formed because of the Chieftaincy dispute in the community. The Ogbona Imhakhena Federated Union called on them to allow the Chieftaincy matters take its cause and form a development union. That is what the Federated Union stands for having a coon front in which the community can channel their problems through to the government for meaningful development of the community. This took the Federated Union time but those who saw what the union stands for were carried along by the union while those who believed that their cause had to be met remained still battling with their Chieftaincy cases. As of today, all these are history as Ogbona Imhakhena Asama Federated Union broke the ice and united the whole factions together and brought them to the popular body both home and abroad. At the 1987 Annual Conference, the National Executive Council of Ogbona Imhakhena The Federated Union was dissolved and there was an election where the following members were elected:- President – Chief T. A. Osigbemhe JP – Benin Branch Vice President – Sir P. M. Anaweokhai – Lagos Branch General Secretary – Chief M. A. Akpaibor – Warri Branch 1st Asst. Gen Secretary – Mr. R. A. Edogamhe – Auchi Branch 2nd Asst. Gen. Secretary – Mr. D. Akhamiemhona – Ibadan Branch Treasurer – Okhaemoi P. S. Eleta – Auchi Branch Financial Secretary – Chief P. S. Anyiador – Benin Branch Asst. Fin. Secretary – Mr. M. Asapokhai – Kano Branch Publicity Secretary – Mr. G. I. Kadiri – Auchi Branch Social Secretary – Mr. P.C.I Okhakumhe – Auchi Branch Legal Adviser – Chief C. I. Ekhasemomhe – Kaduna Branch Ex-Official Members- Mr. S. A. Anetekhai – Benin Branch “

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OGBONA IMHAKHENA ASAMA FEDERATED UNION GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT (1987-2004) CHIEF MATTHIAS A AKPAIBOR

OGBONA IMHAKHENA ASAMA FEDERATED UNION GENERAL SECRETARY’S REPORT (1987-2004) CHIEF MATTHIAS A AKPAIBOR It gives me great a pleasure to present to the Union this day, this report of my seventeen years in Office as the General Secretary of Ogbona Imhakhena Asama Federated Union. I hereby thank the entire community, both at home and abroad, for the opportunity given me to serve. I took over this office when it was at its infancy and I had little or nothing to start with the co-operation of the first, second and third Presidents, Chief A. O. Itsuokor, Chief T. A. Osigbemhe JP. The Okphe-Ukpi of Ogbona and Arc. J.E.A Orbih respectively the union started growing from strength to strength. The Union was formed in 1976 with Protem Officers as Chief A. O. Itsuokor – President, Mr. G. I. Kadiri – Secretary and Chief M.A. Akpaibor as the Asst. Gen. Secretary.  A constitution committee headed by Mr. P. S. Eleta was set up. The Draft Constitution was submitted in1982 and was adopted and passed into law in the same year. The first Union executive council members were elected into the following offices:- President                        –        Chief A. O. Itsuokor       –        Lagos Branch Vice President                 –        Mrs. S. A. Anetekhai      –        Benin Branch General Secretary          –        Dr. J. E. Umole              –        Benin Branch 1st Asst. Gen. Secretary –        Chief M. A. Akpaibor      –        Warri Branch 2nd Asst. Gen. Secretary –        Mr. P. Osigbemhe           –        Ibadan Branch Treasurer                       –        Okhaemoi P. S. Eleta     –        Auchi Branch Financial Secretary        –        Mr. M. G. Enakpene       –        Auchi Branch Publicity Secretary         –        Sir P. M. Anaweokhai     –        Lagos Branch Social Secretary             –        Mr. R. A. Edogamhe       –        Benin Branch Legal Adviser                  –        Chief C. A. Ekhasemomhe       Kaduna Branch Ex-Officers                     –        Mr. M. Asapokhai           –        Kano Branch “                            –        Mr. A. Oghena                –        Ile Ife Branch “                            –        Okhaemoi J. Edogamhe           Ogbona Branch “                            –        Mr. A. Oyagha                –        Warri Branch “                            –        Mr. J. I. Odior                –        Ogbona Branch Patrons                          –        Chief J. O. Odalumhe    –        Ogbona Branch “                            –        Mr. Francis Asekomhe   –        Ogbona Branch “                            –        Pa. Abu Idinokhai          –        Ogbona Branch “                            –        Pa. Odia Ikhane             –        Ogbona Branch “                            –        Pa Aleghe Orbih             –        Ogbona Branch   Ogbona was elected to be the Headquarter of the Union and it was agreed that the name of the Union should be known as “OGBONA IMHAKHENA FEDERATED UNION”. The financial branch unions were eight comprising, Auchi, Benin, Ibadan, Ile-Ife, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos and Warri while the home body was dragging their feet over the name of the union. We are grateful to God today as the number has increased from eight branch members to ten branch members including the home branch, Abuja, Ilorin. Port-Harcourt branch which was one of the recent registered branches, is neither here nor there for reasons best known to them. The aims and objectives of the Union were well spelt out in the 1982 constitution. After one year in office, the General Secretary declined his post and I was appointed to act which I did for one year before I was appointed for the post of the General Secretary in 1985. When I took over the office, the financial branch members still remained eight. The home which supposed to be the headquarters was still doubting whether to accept the name or to stay away because of the name. Then the financial position was very poor. The only main avenue for funding was the monthly subscriptions from the eight branches of the Union. The attendance of the executive council meetings was encouraging expect some branches whose members were not regular, mainly Ile-Ife and Kano. These two branches claimed that they always received letters late. After normalizing their postal addresses, the Ile-Ife branch complained that their members were new converts and that they would not accept the name “Ogbona Imhakhena Union” The Kano branch of the Union complained that due to frequent riots in Kano for the past years, they could not form any useful union. Recently, they informed the federated bodies that they had re-organized and would act fully Ile-Ife remains dormant till date. The union could not achieve any meaningful development during these years till 1986 because it embarked on reconciliation of the two factions that were Asama and Abokhasomhi unions, which were formed because of the Chieftaincy dispute in the community. The Ogbona Imhakhena Federated Union called on them to allow the Chieftaincy matter take its cause and form a development union. That is what the Federated Union stands for in order to have a coon front which the community can channel their problems through to the government for meaningful development of the community. This took the Federated Union time but those who saw what the union stands for were carried along by the union while those who believed that their cause had to be met remained still battling with their Chieftaincy cases. As at today, all these are history as Ogbona Imhakhena Asama Federated Union break the ice and unite the whole factions together and brought them to the popular body both home and abroad. At the 1987 Annual Conference, the National Executive Council of Ogbona Imhakhena Federated Union was dissolved and there was an election where the following members were elected:- President                        –        Chief T. A. Osigbemhe JP        –        Benin Branch Vice President                –        Sir P. M. Anaweokhai              –        Lagos Branch General Secretary          –        Chief M. A. Akpaibor               –        Warri Branch 1st Asst. Gen Secretary   –        Mr. R. A. Edogamhe                 –        Auchi Branch 2nd Asst. Gen. Secretary –        Mr. D. Akhamiemhona            –        Ibadan Branch Treasurer                       –        Okhaemoi P. S. Eleta               –        Auchi Branch Financial Secretary        –        Chief P. S. Anyiador                –        Benin Branch Asst. Fin. Secretary        –        Mr. M. Asapokhai                    –        Kano Branch Publicity Secretary         –        Mr. G. I. Kadiri                        –        Auchi Branch Social Secretary             –        Mr. P.C.I Okhakumhe             

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A Welcome Address By The Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, Chief Willy Uloko Idode To Ogbona Federated Union, Annual General Conference

A WELCOME ADDRESS BY THE OKPHE UKPI OF OGBONA, CHIEF WILLY ULOKO IDODE TO OGBONA FEDERATED UNION, ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE Date: Saturday 15th April 2017, Place: Ogbona Town Hall  The meeting started at 10.15am with prayer said by Chief Obadele Ogboalo. The President, Mr. Gregory Enegwea welcomed the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, Chief Willy Uloko Idode and his Palace chiefs, all members and delegates to the conference. He thanked God for journey mercies granted to all. He further informed the house that Mr. Gilbert Odior is going to give a presentation about the Origin, Structure and Activities of Ogbona Elites Forum, while Abaye Igbadumhe will talk to the students about the importance of learning a trade along with their studies. The president called on the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona, Chief Willy Uloko Idode to address the conference. He welcomed all members and delegates to the conference. He appreciated the contributions of the Ogbona Youth Forum and Ogbona Elites Forum and the contributions to the community. He urged the OFU as the parent body to carry along/embrace the OYF as they have some development projects they want to embark on. He believes that a combined efforts will yield better results for the community. He thanked the Ogbona Elites Forum for helping with the shortage of teachers at the Ogbona secondary school and currently the schools has more teaches than any school in the LGA. Other Areas Covered by the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona He informed the house that the Ogbona Youth Forum promised to renovate their existing Corpers lodge and build additional rooms to accommodate more Corpers. He advised parents to always monitor their children or wards when they are home on vacation from schools to avoid mixing with bad gangs/cultists. He reported on the relative peace in the community and the police rarely have to arrest anyone. Because he does not always want to disturb the Ogbona indigenes in diaspora for the development of the community, they have asked those at home to be paying some levies towards the community development. Men will pay N1.000 each while the women will pay N500 each. The money is being collected by members of the various age groups for the development of the community. Relationship between Ogbona and Imiava, our neighbouring community is very cordial and they now exchange regular visits to help overcome the past issues and forestall future ones, however, there are some occasional frictions that are mainly attributable to our people. He informed the house the avhianwu clan rulers decided to create some more villages and each sub-clan was advised not to create more than 8-9 villages. At Ogbona, 8 villages were created with Akpagi as head with the Ikhaemhos in each village reporting to the Akpagi. Ivhiochie and Okotor have 3 villages/Akpagi each, while Ivhido and Ivhiorevho have one village/Akpagi each. An Akpagi now handle all issues in any quarters that the Ikhaemhos cannot handle and is only issues that the Akpagi cannot handle in their quarter that now come up to the Okphe Ukpi’s palace He thanked the OYF for their efforts at resolving the OFU Lagos branch issue and enjoin the Lagos branch to forget about issues and come together for the sake of our Community. He told the conference that, they have made some revisions to the marriage list that was earlier published. It now includes a certificate for N1, 000 and the eldest man now gets n2, 000. However, the Avhianwu clan has made a new list which now supersede that of the various sub-clans list. He will publish it as soon as it is finalized. He also said the payments during any marriage is dictated by the family and there shouldn’t be so much complains about the list as it is among the lowest in our state He reported the progress on the Esso sponsored building at Ogbona Secondary School. He reported that when completed, it will be the best school building the whole of Edo State He also reported on the federal government school and how he has being following up on it. He told the conference that NDDC has it in their budget to do the civil works within the school and the roads leading to the school. The Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona wished the house a fruitful deliberation and requested the house to excuse him to go and attend to other issues or engagements. There was a huge applause for the Okphe Ukpi of Ogbona by the whole house as he did not speak from a prepared speech rather he talked to the house from his heart. The OFU president thanked him for his presence and his eloquent speech.  

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Origin, Structure and Activities of Ogbona Elites Forum

ORIGIN, STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITIES OF OGBONA ELITES FORUM (A presentation to Ogbona Apakhaide Union, April 2017 – By Gilbert Odior, President Ogbona Elites Forum)  Mr. Chairman Sir, members of “The Apakhaide Union”, other protocols well observed. It is with deep sense of honor and privilege for me to stand here today to intimate this house of the origin, goals and objectives, achievements and challenges of Ogbona Elites forum. The idea of having a social network forum where every INDIGENE of Ogbona can network for the unity and the development of Ogbona was the brain child of Stephen Adomhere and he added Mr. Gilbert E. Odior. Gilbert became the 1st Facebook account Admin for “I’M AN INDIGENE OF OGBONA” in March of 2016. Its primary objective is to unite all INDIGENES of Ogbona at home and in diaspora for the development of Ogbona. It was the first cautious attempt to provide a forum where all indigenes of our community could interact with one another, have insight into our culture and tradition, discuss burning issues and proffer possible solutions. Sometimes early last year, a lot of accounts were added to the said Facebook account including that of Mr. John Odior Anaweokhai. With the knowledge he gained from I’M AN INDIGENE OF OGBONA he decided to set up “The Ogbona Elites Forum” on WhatsApp in October, 2016 to complement I’m an Indigene Of Ogbona. Along the line, it was discovered that The Ogbona Elites Forum could not meet the yearnings and aspirations of every member owing to differences in religion and politics. Consequently, two additional fora, “Ogbona Political Elites” and “Ogbona Christian Forum” were further created to meet political and religion interests of members respectively. Though, the Christian Forum has been handed over to “The Ogbona Christian Association”. Today without mincing words, I’M AN INDIGENE OF OGBONA  Facebook account has over 1,000 membership while the WhatsApp account has over 130 members. It is imperative to state here that at the moment we are at the verge of coalescing all the fora under the umbrella body of Ogbona Elites Forum to be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission. OBJECTIVES OF THIS FORUM To unite all the elites of Ogbona extraction in any part of the world regardless of one’s ideological stand on issues that bother on politics, religion, profession, taste etc. To cross fertilize ideas on how to move Ogbona forward. To support and defend one another. To: showcase Ogbona cultural heritage. To serve as resource centre on Ogbona culture and traditions. To relive history and celebrate those that have helped to shape the history of Ogbona community. To restrain from partisan politics but without prejudice to supporting any Ogbona person who is contesting any elective position against an outsider. To remain neutral on any issue that involves two or more Ogbona persons. To accord respect, honour and reward to those that so deserve. To guide against gutter language that will attract sanctions as determined by elders of the forum. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE Gilbert E. Odior            President Bernard K. Ikhane       Vice President John Odior Anaweokhai Secretary General Peter Aigba Financial Secretary Philip Ogedegbe Treasurer Philip Orbih Legal Adviser Taye Odior Anavhe Public Relation Officer APPROVED BOARD OF TRUSTEES Gilbert E. Odior Bernard K. Ikhane John Odior Anaweokhai Felix Jones Osimerha Stella Mode Ferdinard Orbih Julie O Inu Umoru.  ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR In the course of our discussion last year we discovered that our secondary school had only three teachers which had necessitated the mass exodus of our students to the neighboring Iraokhor secondary school. It was also discovered that though there are six functional boreholes in our community there was the problem of diesel to power the pumping machines. We analyzed the problems and decided to proffer long and short term solutions. We sent out to generate fund from our people to meet the above needs. So far, through donations and dues we have been able to generate over N2.2M (two million, two hundred thousand naira). We have been able to employ thirteen teachers to teach various subject in the secondary school whose monthly wage bill is about N150,000 We also purchase N100, 000.00 worth of diesel every month to pump water. One of our long term solutions for the problem of pumping water at the six functional boreholes is the installation of solar power panels at the boreholes to reduce the cost of diesel. In the course of our forum discussions, Chief Dan Orbih promised to foot the bills of two of the solar panel systems for the sum of N10.5M, and the work has been completed and the solar power is working. We also discovered that the primary school pupils have acute problem with reading and in February this year, we organized a Three day workshop on the use of phonics, the latest technology in reading for the three primary schools teachers in Ogbona to get the pupils well-grounded in reading. This program was sponsored by Adolphus Asekomhe On the 1st of February, this year through our empowerment program, we presented a generator set and a clipper to Steamer the barber to aid his barbing business. Through our empowerment program also, Chief Ferdinard Orbih has instituted a scholarship program for an indigent Ogbona student at the Nigeria Law School. CHALLENGES Our forum is relatively new and most people have no idea of what we are about and objectives We are not here to compete with any organization but to complement. We need money to execute projects especially, the solar power system. The forum is open to every member irrespective of age, sex and political affiliation. We need active members to join us and contribute to the development of Ogbona. Encourage your children and siblings to join our forum. One of our other objective is to clinch the Chairmanship position of our local government Area in the next political dispensation and we need the support of everybody to achieve this goal. OTHER CHALLENGES Inability to

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