HOW ANU, USA MADE THE DECISION ABOUT THE 2007 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN NEW JERSEY (OCTOBER 20, 2007)

I want to respond to the concerns of some disgruntled individuals and constituent villages/communities of Akah National Union, USA regarding the decision of the National Union to host her first exploratory Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Jersey.  However, I want all the concerned to note that this communication does not substitute or supersede the regular meeting of the ANU Executive Council, which are held on an average of once a month.

First, let me educate you that the Council is the legitimate representation of all Akah people in the USA. Each of the original 10 villages of Umuaka (many of them today have become autonomous) have equal representation in the Union. Each village chooses their own members without any advice from or consultation with what used to be known as Old Umuaka Unification Committee (OUUC), of which I was the chair. It is my understanding that every village chose and sent their representatives to Union based on the belief the people they chose are knowledgeable and capable of making decisions on their behalf. They must trust them to be financially able and available in helping to move Umuaka to the skies. Although, those village representatives elected me as their president or coordinator, I did not have any input in their being selected by their respective villages or communities. The 20 members representing their villages/communities form the ANU the Administrative Council.

Another hand of the Union is made up of viable and supporting chapters or branches, which are represented by the presidents or their designees as members of the Executive Council. The Executive Council is a combination of the Administrative Council members and Heads of Chapters. Most of the chapters were created before the birth of the ANU, USA, whether as viable chapters or mere factions.

The Executive Council reviews all decisions made by the Administrative Council, and has the power to reject, modify, and/or approve such decisions.  A decision may originate from the Executive Council, subject to full discussion by all members, and a decision reached by consensus. Sometimes, votes are used in making decisions by the Council for, and on behalf of all Akah people in the US. For example, the issue of having an annual general meeting was framed by the Administrative Council to have three or more of such meetings in a year, but the Executive Council slashed them to only one. This was done early in the year in or around February 2007.

I scouted for a branch to host the AGM. I contacted Declan Iwuala, Sir Charles Abiekwe, Chief Livinus Madu of Detroit, among others. About the middle of July, the Tri-State Chapter submitted a bid to host the AGM. They tabled their interest in a regular meeting of the Executive Council. To the best of my recollection, nobody—a constituent village, chapter, or committee members (who have no votes) had any issue with the proposal. It was not my decision to go to Tri-State, but that of the ANU Executive Council. By names, the Executive Council includes the following village representatives:

1. Dr. Johnny Mez, UBAH
2. Hon. Chief Dr. Obinna Duruji, Legal Advisor of the Union, UBAH
3. Chief Goddy Bekee, ISIOZI
4. Dr. Francy Oparah (Ph.D., in Political Science), Financial Secretary, ISIOZI
5. Sir Hygi Ibekwe, ACHARA
6. Chief Alphunsus Agbare, ACHARA
7. Hon. Austin Ibekwe, UGBELE
8. Mazi Justin Chidi Egeolu, Secretary General, AMIYI
9. Mazi Francis Bright Duru, AMIYI
10. Chief Dr. Collins Nnamdi Durugbor, UGBELE
11. Mazi Samson Osuoha, Treasurer, IBELE
12. Mazi Eugene Oguamanam, IBELE
13. Mazi Charles Ikekwere, UMUELE
14. Chief Livinus Madu, Vice President, UMUELE
15. Chief Charles Amuzie, PRO, AMAKOR
16. Hon. Innocent Okems Okemezie, AMAKOR
17. Mazi Innocent Igwebuike, OBAKPU
18. Mazi Ebekonye, OBAKPU
19. Atty. Jude Ezeala, OBINWANNE
20. Sir Charles Abiekwe, OBINWANNE

The following people represent their chapters as currently recognized by the Union:

1. Mazi Oliver Iheme, President, Dallas/Oklahoma Chapter
2. Prince Clement “Africa” Ojinnaka, Designee NJ Chapter¹
3. Sir Charles Egeolu, President, Tri-State Chapter
4. Chief Goddy Bekee, President, Chicago Chapter²
5. Mazi Declan Iwuala, President, Southern California Chapter
6. Mazi Olive Eriri, President, Southern California Chapter 2
7. Dr. Francy Oparah, President, Atlanta Chapter
8. Mazi Ikenna Amuzie, President, Northern California Chapter³
9. Chief Keonye Ahamefule, President Northern California Chapter⁴
10. Chief Kennedy Obi, Southern California Chapter
11. Atty. Jude Ezeala, President, Baltimore Chapter
12. Sir Willie Anokwute, President, Maryland Chapter