The Meeting started at 5:45 pm Biafra Time, with an opening speech from Abia State Chairman, Mazi Nweke. Subsequently, the Director-General, Mazi Ugwu Okechukwu made some observations and gave guidance to the chairman on how to moderate the meetings. The Director went ahead to lead the meeting; opening prayers and advice, that a woman should do the closing prayers when meeting was concluded.

Mazi Nweke thanked the D.G, and opened speech on the first agenda afterwards. Mazi Ugochukwu, assistant Chairman raised a question about whether we have already found venue for the proposed launching of obinwannem social media network?

Agenda 1
Nwada Ginikanwa wondered whether the house was expected to suggest a venue for the launch. Nwada Ekeoma Uchechukwu, P.R.O /Secretary (Women’s Wing) expressed delight on the proposed launch; commented that Abia house need to organize a presentation to the Igbo community at the launch.

Responding to this, the chairman said the agenda was for notification purposes. Lolo Queensley Kalu while contributing to what was discussed wanted to know if the launching would be hosted online or at designated venue. She said favours the launch to be on 11/03/2021 instead of 10/03/2021.

Agenda 2
Nwada Ekeoma queried if Obinwannem water project will bore holes in community municipals to provide them with good water or if it will establish a bottling company for commercial purposes; or both. She wanted to know what our plans and milestones were to achieve this.

On the issue of farming, Nwada Ekeoma said we needed to start animal husbandry with sheep, goats, pigs. She wanted to know whether this would involve giving loans to farmers; or Obinwannem Foundation going to have their own farm(s) where it could employ labour to raise these animals. She also suggested that we investigate growing exotic vegetables and cash crops, especially cash fruits which can provide cash flow for our Foundation.

Mazi Ugochukwu also expressed concern on the second agenda. He wondered about what determines which municipal to be favoured with the siting of bore holes in local communities. In his opinion, “we should shelve ‘bore hole’ project for now because there could be possible fracas among communities. Most communities needed a pipe-borne water,” he said. “So we should pause on borehole for now and consolidate on farming.”

Nwada Ginikanwa expressed the same concerns as Mazi Ugochukwu. While responding to these questions and concerns, our chairman mentioned that the plan for the water project is yet to be fully unveiled. He said the issues raised will be duly discussed at the Obi ndi igbo general. In response to this also, the Women’s leader emphasised on agriculture as being important to the Biafra’s wellbeing. She also said that each state needed to own a farm settlement.

While responding to the water project, Lolo Queensley observed that the water bottling company will need a general base or headquarters. She however wondered whether each state could have their own base or just be outlets? She noted that good water in Biafra land is vital and needful.

Agenda 3
Nwada Ekeoma said paying dues was a welcomed idea and that it would ensure we have money to run our State projects. She said abroad members could pay upfront quarterly, annual or after every six months while the home base can continue paying monthly as at when due. However, anybody can pay upfront to support our projects. Nwada Ginikanwa supported this opinion.

Mazi Ugochukwu also expressed assent to monthly dues. He also noted the absence of the house secretary. In response, Mazi Nweke told the house that the secretary has developed cold feet on his duties. He said the issue would be fixed later.

Responding to agenda 3, tge Women’s leader asked whether the tax payment was same as monthly dues? In her opinion, we should pause for while on this agenda because times are hard and people our registration come first. She said we should start paying once we have started having monthly meeting worldwide.

Agenda 4
This matter centered around having administrative structures. Speaking on this, Nwada Ekeoma said the agenda was a welcomed development. She said each state could have their head offices at the state capitals. We can also have regional offices within suburbs. She noted that Obinwannem officials should be at administrative positions in other to perform efficiently. We need to employ the right staff who will run with our vision.

Mazi Ugochukwu raised a question on who should be employed at the offices? Will we employ Obinwannem officials or outsider? In response to this, our chairman said that charity will begin at home in apportion job opportunities and benefits for members before we can go to outsiders.

Agenda 5
On the flyer, Nwada Ekeoma mentioned that the chairman should handle the flyers designs based on the visions of Obinwannem. Mazi Ugochukwu supported this also and added that the chairman, chairwoman and PRO should put heads together for the flyer design and print media. While responding to these, the chairman said he will seek the input of the D.G for the design and colours. In addition to this, Lolo Queensley wanted to know whether the flyer would be soft copy or hand copy. She said it will be done and sent when duly addressed.

Agenda. 6
Nwada Ekeoma adopted the previous agreement for hosting online campaign on the eve of every Eke day as earlier suggested by our chairman. Mazi Ugochukwu and Women’s leader also supported this adoption. Our woman leader threw her weight behind the already decided day and time.

Agenda 7 & 8
Everyone welcomed agenda 7 and 8. Lolo Queensley used the opportunity to call out our officials for not asking after her when she was away due to challenging times. She admonished us to live up to the goals of Obinwannem which involves being our brothers’ keeper. Mazi Ugochukwu wondered how agenda 8 can be possible when we are scattered all over the world. In his opinion a physical meeting is not feasible. In response, our chairman promised that this issue will be discussed further.

On ‘General,’ Lolo Queensley lamented the redundancy of our members. She let the house know that Nwada Martha, the women secretary left due to inability to pay 40 thousand and other fees.

She bemoaned the inefficiency of our secretaries both male and female. She further called on Nwada Ekeoma to temporarily take up the role of secretary as well as double as PRO for women now until we can have trusted hands to for our secretarial needs.

She greeted and thanked all those that showed up for the meeting. Mazi Ugochukwu moved for adjournment. This was seconded by our chairman who asked Nwada Ekeoma to lead the concluding prayers, but she was not online.

The meeting ended at 8:15pm Biafra Time with a prayer from Mazi Ugochukwu.

Minutes taken by:
Nweke Iheanyi Innocent (Nwa Chineke)
Abia State Head Admin

Join Obinwannem Ndi Igbo Global Cultural Foundation Abia Chapter Ofu Obi