AKWUKWU-IGBO UNION UK BRANCH

CONSTITUTION
MOTTO: IFE ONYE WEPU ANYA, KA IBE MENAHIE

HISTORICAL CONTENT
Akwukwu-Igbo, is the headquarters of the Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State
of Nigeria. Located in the Delta North senatorial zone of the state. The occupations of the locals
are mainly farming, trading and white-collar office jobs. It is made up of several quarters, which
include Ogbe -Ani, Ogbe-Oniha, umu onai, Ogbe Obi, Ogbe Iyase, Umuekeke, Achala, Umu-Olum
and Umu-Opu. This land is sometimes called "Land of Desert Warriors (The desert warrior Chief
Newton Jibunoh hails from Akwukwu-Igbo). The former Attorney General of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria (Chief Michael Ashikodi Agbamuche) also hails from Akwukwu-Igbo.

Oshimili North LGA is one of the twenty-five Local Government Areas that makes up Delta State,
in South-south geo-political region of Nigeria. The said Local Government was created in 1997
and until its creation was part of the old Oshimili Local Government Area. The Local Government
is headquartered at Akwukwu-Igbo and comprises prominent towns and communities such as
Ibusa, Illah, Okpanam and Ebu amongst other. The people of this region mostly speak Ibo,
which the indigenes refer to as the Enuani dialect of Igbo language.

(1)AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the association shall be:

(i)To provide a suitable forum for productive interaction amongst Akwukwu-Igbo indigenes.

(ii)To promote love, peace and unity and good relationship amongst Akwukwu-Igbo indigenes in
United Kingdom (Europe).

(iii)To provide necessary assistance and relief to brothers and sisters in case of any catastrophe,
tragedy, commemoration and eventuality.

(iv)To promote a good customs and culture, also to promote our culture through dance, music
and other social functions.
(2)MEMBERSHIP

(I)Membership shall be open to all indigenes of Akwukwu-Igbo by virtue of birth or marriage.

(ii)A registered member will be entitled to every benefit subject to Section 5.

(iii)All new members will be requested to pay £20 as registration fee.

(iv) As a code of conduct, it’s very essential that members of the meeting should relate like
brothers and sisters at all times. New members are required to adapt to the same standard of
conduct adopted by the members.

(v)All members admitted to the meeting shall upon their admission pledge to observe the
constitution, the rules & regulations of the meeting and maintain good conduct and integrity
and a copy of the constitution will be issued to them.

(3)EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

(i)The meeting shall have an Executive Committee in which is vested with executive authority of
the meeting within the period specified by this constitution. It shall be responsible to the
general house. The executive committee shall comprise the following:

*The President

*The Vice President

*The General Secretary

*The Treasurer

*The Financial Secretary

*Welfare Coordinator/Provost

(ii)Powers: The Executive Committee shall have the power to carry out and execute the policies
and decisions of the meeting in such a manner as to give full effect to the intents and desires of
the meeting.

(iii)An emergency Executive Committee meeting shall be held when necessary physically or via
conference call in order to resolve issues regarding the meeting.

(iv) Elections: Elections shall be held every two years, No officer shall hold any post for more
than two terms (four years) consecutively. All former executive members shall handover at the
next meeting day following the election. At that next meeting the new executive shall be sworn
in by the outgoing executive.

(v)The patron and matron shall be appointed by the executive members.

(vi)All ex-presidents shall automatically become an ex-officio member of the subsequent
executive committee.

(3B) FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

The President

(i)The president shall preside over all meetings of the executive committees and any
general/emergency house meetings.

(ii)Shall countersign cheques with the treasurer or Financial Secretary on the account of the
meeting.

(iii)Uphold the constitution and give directives to all officers and all standing committees that
maybe constituted hearing.

(iv)Shall convene any emergency meetings and preside over executive committee meetings.

(v)Delegate powers, as he/she may deem necessary.

(vi)Shall be responsible for all properties belonging to the meeting.

The Vice President

The Vice President shall act in the order of precedence in the absence of the President and shall
perform all such duties as may be assigned to her/him by the President.

The General Secretary

The General Secretary shall:

(i)Take and read minutes of every meeting and shall keep the minute’s book.

(ii)Maintain the books and files of the meeting.

(iii)Conduct and sign such correspondences as may be directed by the president.

(iv)Maintain a register showing the nominal roll and the addresses, phone numbers of all
members.

(v)Present to the house, annual report on the activities of the meeting at the end of the year.

(vi)Notify members of any news worthy event.

The Treasurer

(i)The Treasurer shall receive all funds from the Financial Secretary (meeting dues & voluntary
donation) collected on behalf of the meeting and pay it into the meeting’s bank account.
(ii)Keep true and accurate information regarding the meeting’s finances.

(iii)Together with the president or Secretary sign the chequebook or bank withdrawal slip on the
account of the meeting.

(iv)Keep the meeting’s bank statement and update it book at all times with the Financial
Secretary after every gathering.

(v)The Treasurer shall issue official receipt after every transaction.

The Financial Secretary

(i)Financial secretary must be effective: will receive, record, and deposit all funds received by
the meeting in a timely, thorough and confidential manner. The financial secretary will work
with the treasurer so that funds can be made available upon request by the President.

(ii)The Financial Secretary shall work together with the Treasurer and ensure that all financial
duties are being carried out properly at all times.

(iii)The Financial Secretary should be able to give accurate financial statements at all times.

(iv)Together with the President or Treasurer he/she shall Sign all the cheques or withdrawal slips
on the account of the meeting, provided that any two combinations can sign at any given time.

(v)Notify any member who is indebted to the meeting for a period of four months.

Welfare Coordinator

(i)Welfare Coordinator role is to promote the basic physical and material well-being of all
members.

(ii)Assist the meeting in terms of awareness and representing the meeting when necessary.

(iii)Welfare Coordinator shall be responsible for effective organization of all meetings and social
functions.

(iv)Welfare Coordinator shall be responsible for sending out cards and gifts at appropriate times.

(v)Shall organize official visits to members at appropriate/required times.

Provost

(i)The provost shall assist in maintaining peaceful environment at all gatherings, remind and text
all members in good time of any meeting.

(ii)The provost shall remind by text and telephone calls to all members before any meetings or
functions.

(iii)The provost shall collect lateness fines during meetings or functions.

(4)BANKING

(i)The meeting shall operate with current account.

(ii)The President, Vice-president and Financial Secretary /Treasurer shall be signatories to all
cheques withdrawal slips.

(iii)The authorized signatories at any given time shall be two combinations of the above.

(4B)AMENDMENTS

The constitution may be amended by a special resolution of the general house provided two
months notice has been given to the general house. After the debate two-third of members
shall be required to pass the required amendment.

(4C)COMMENCEMENT

This constitution will come into effect from September 2015 and any prior existing constitution
is deemed to be voided.

(5)BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Members may be entitled to any of these benefits.

(i) If they have been members for up to six months.

(ii)Up to date with their dues.

(iii) Up to date with 50% attendance annually.

(A)BABY ARRIVAL

(i)At the birth of child by a member, the welfare coordinator will arrange to visit the member
within two months.

(ii)Congratulatory card and flower worth £10 will be issued to the member.

(iii) A Cheque of £50 shall be issued to the parent of the new born baby, subject to any
deductions.

(B)DEATH OF PARENTS

(i)A delegation of at least two members shall visit the member within 14 days with a condolence
card worth £5.
(ii)The meeting shall present £200 cheque to the member towards the funeral event, subject to
any deductions that may apply according.

(iii)Members are advised to phone the victim and share words of encouragement.

(C)DEATH OF WIFE/HUSBAND

(i)A delegation of at least four members shall visit the member within 14 days with a condolence
card worth £5.

(i)The meeting shall present £250 cheque to the member towards the funeral event, subject to
any deductions that may apply according.

(iii)Members are advised to phone the victim and share words of encouragement.

(D)MEMBERS ON HOSPITAL ADMISSION

(i)The affected member shall urgently contact the President/Welfare Coordinator or any
member of the Executives.

(ii)A get well card will be sent out to the member.

(iii)The President/Welfare Coordinator shall organise not less than two members to visit the
indispose member.

(E)MEMBERS/CHILD’S WEDDING

(i)A member who wishes to invite the meeting to their child’s wedding must give at least two
months’ notice period.

(ii)On the wedding day, the meeting shall present a gift worth £50 to the new couple.

(iii)The Welfare coordinator shall work with the provost to inform Members to attend to
support our sister/brother.

(F)SEND OFF TO MEMBERS RETURNING TO NIGERIA

(i)The member must have been a financial member for at least 5 years before you can qualify for
this route.

(ii)The meeting will issue the member a gift worth £50, subject to any deductions that may apply
according.

(G)HOSTING PERSONAL PARTIES ON MEETING DAYS

(i)Members are advice to consult the executive members before fixing personal parties/function
on a meeting day.
(ii)When a member decides to host a party on meeting day, such member will be fined £100 and
it must be paid before returning to the next meeting.

SPECIAL CLAUSES
(1)Meeting shall be held every 1st Sunday bimonthly of the year from 4pm-6pm and may
be extended as necessary by the president or any other person presiding at the
meeting.

(2)Meeting shall be held at agreed venues.

(3)The official language of the meeting shall be Enuani dialect or in English as the
presiding officer shall deem fit.

(4)Uncomplimentary languages or unnecessary interruption shall be reframe from.

(5)Bimonthly dues shall be £20. Dues can be paid via bank transfer, cash & cheque.

(6)The house shall conduct an election whereby an executive member is ineffective and
does not function, will be removed after absence of three meetings.

(7)Any member of the executive committee shall be impeached if any act of gross
misconduct are reported, investigated and established against such a member.

8) Latecomers at bimonthly meetings shall be liable to a fine of £3 after 4:30pm.

(9) Members are encouraged to keep up to date with their financial obligations. As there
are Consequences for none compliance.

(10)The President or Executive Committee reserves the right to investigate any reported
face of misconduct by any member. Any member found guilty shall be liable to a fine of
£10 for a minor offence and up to £50 for major offence. The house shall determine at
any occasion what constitutes a major or minor offence.

(11)A forum of the meeting can be formed when a minimum of five members are
present in the meeting.

(12)Any member absent on a meeting day may be liable to pay a £5 fine.

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE: (Mr Gozi Elumogo, Mr Ify Ozomah, Mrs Tonia Arogundade, Mr
Austin Eboh)