Igbo Union Stoke-on-Trent, 5th Meeting held on 16/04/23 @ Sacred Heart parish, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.
1) Opening prayer was said by Ugonna Okafor at 0430pm, which was followed by opening remarks from the Chairman Antony-Claret who welcomed all present, saying we must keep putting in huge efforts to grow the association. He reiterated that we must not be discouraged by turning up on this meeting, but to continue to participate and support the growth of the association.
2) Reading of minutes was taken by the Secretary, Benjamin Dunuson, there were no corrections made from previous minutes. The motion for adoption was moved by Joseph Odibe, seconded by Ugonna Okafor, who is also doing the registration of new members. The chairman encouraged members to hasten with the registration. Ugonna Okafor is to collect the registration fee and monthly dues as well.
3) Registration of Association: At this point, new members were welcomed, they are Wisdom and Thompson. They were welcomed by everyone!
Antony-Claret informed members on the registration so far with the council, which included the need for a By-law and other documents, which are already being processed. More reports would be obtained in subsequent meetings. The constitution committee sent a draft of the By-laws, which members are expected to read and make their inputs ASAP. This is to enable us to finalize the registration process.
In his contributions, especially in growing the association, Thompson called for a need to open up the meeting to all genders (male and female of age, singles and married) he was swiftly supported by FrankMoore and many others, as they suggested this would also help in expanding membership and improve the financial strength. FrankMore also suggested that the WhatsApp group should be inclusive of all genders. A vote was taken, and members agreed by majority vote, to add all genders to the meeting and on the group platform, though subject to registration and other requirements to meet full membership.
4) Plans and activities for the Year: Following the last meeting in February, many activities were suggested, some of which included picnics, seminars, hosting of members especially for meetings, excursions, sports, New Yam festival. In majority agreement at the meeting, the hosting of the meeting would now be moved and done by members, subsequently, the next meeting will be hosted by Antony-Claret, Benjamin Dunuson, Emmanuel, and Joseph Odibe. The picnic will be on the 24th of June 2023. While the executive will sit and decide on the activities. On the New Yam festival, Anthony-Claret, the chairman, encouraged members to see this as a major activity that would encourage other social activities and people’s interests in the Association. FrankMore supported the idea and August 19 was fixed for the new Yam festival, while the executives are expected to also discuss the modalities and other details. May 27, 2023, will be men’s Hangout, which would start by 0400pm, till infinite. FrankMore our PRO, Dr. Kennedy our Director of Social 1, and Wisdom to be in charge and plan this. Excursions, sports, and seminars will be discussed at the next meeting. The Chairman brought forward the attention of members to the ongoing meetings between the police units of our council and the African community, towards effective trust, security, and police checks, which used to be racial and harsh. The meeting is to help them disabuse this narrative and strive towards providing confidence, a relationship, and an unbiased policing system to everyone. We are encouraged to attend the next meeting and make our contributions, not just for today, but for the generations ahead.
4) Political Engagements: The chairman spoke about the upcoming council elections, while he also encouraged members to join political parties as it would help our Union and members. It is also important for us to remember, that, one of our also one of our Aims Objectives is to have a strong say in the Politics of the Stoke-on-Trent council and the UK by extension. He informed us all, that he himself has joined the Labor Party, which everyone appraised him of. Members are hereby encouraged to register and vote in the May 4 general council elections.
5) Refreshment was provided by the chairman as support for today’s meeting.
6) The closing prayer was given by Joseph Odibe. The meeting came to an end at 6:30 p.m.
Igboamaka Igbo ga adi. Igbo kwenu! Igbo kwezuonu!!
Signed:
Secretary
Benjamin Chiedozie Dunuson
