Igbocentrism And Anioma Ethnic Identity

A Times of Nigeria Interview with Anioma Association USA. Inc. President, Mr. Uche Honnah:
Uche Honnah, newly elected President of the Anioma Association USA – the umbrella organization for all Anioma people in the United States of America is a man on a mission. This real estate investor and efficient organizer spoke with thetimesofnigeria.com correspondent last week on his plans to build a strong, unified association. He also weighed in on the controversy surrounding the election of an Anioma son, Chief Ralph Uwechue, as head of pan Igbo group, Ohaneze Ndigbo....Click on this link to read from the source website-->Times of Nigeria

Anioma Association USA, Inc.: 20th Governing Council Summit (an unsolicited account by John Chuka). John Chuka: Grassroots

Anioma Association USA, Inc is a non-profit organization. As the name implies, the organization is a national entity with affiliate local Chapters from various States of the United States of America. With very strong potential of growth, the Association presently consists of 10 Chapters: Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Houston, Middle Tennessee, Northern California, Philadelphia/Delaware, Southern California, Tri State, Washington State, and Washington DC/Maryland.

The Summit is a biannual event, which creates room for the Governing Council made up of Chapter Presidents to get together and determine how the National Executive must go about its business all through their two-year term of office. The General Membership is allowed in attendance as contributors and observers with no voting rights. Recommendations are volunteered. Some key issues are strongly debated. Votes are taken. The 2008-2010 Budget was adopted. The constitution was reviewed and adopted.

The Keynote Address, titled Development through self-help: A Clarion Call to Anioma People, is delivered by Mr. Felix Ewona Ekam, a top notch Management employee of Total Oil. Mr. Ekam is able to sums up the main problems facing Anioma and many other Nigerian communities, as lack of utilities and infrastructures. He goes further to pinpoint the problems that could, to a reasonable degree, be considered to be analogous with Anioma people as marginalization, neglect, poverty, and lack of leadership.

In his proposed solutions to the problems facing Anioma people, Mr. Ekam informs that the right character and attitude could go a long way in solving major problems. He also reiterates that good people generate good ideas and good ideas attract funds. He concludes by proffering six attributes that can be coined into the acronym, ANIOMA, as the panacea to the problems Anioma people face today: Accountability, Neighborliness, Information, Organization, Maintainability, and Audacity.

The Anioma Youth steals the day with an Anioma youth, Miss Isioma Emordi, in the driver seat. Dr. Nwanne Oyemenem and Dr. Veronica Ufoegbune team up to give a presentation on the package they have put together to help bring Anioma Youth together and also help them learn the Anioma Language. The CD and book, titled Introduction to Ibo Language, authored by Dr. Onyemenem are in display for sale. Miss Emordi gives a verbal and visual presentation on Anioma Youth Forum created by Ms. Chichi Daniel, the Executive Secretary of Anioma Association, USA Inc. Miss Emordi brings her presentation to a close by announcing that she seeks other dedicated and hard-working Anioma Youth anywhere to further work with her on the Anioma Youth project. She could be reached at princessisioma_2000@yahoo.com.

Blogger’s Note:
The Summit was held in Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Place on 17 January 2009. As a patriotic citizen of Anioma and an active member of Anioma Association USA, Inc. Dallas Fort Worth Chapter, I was in attendance and I thought I should report on the event to enable you catch up a little on what you missed.

The Summit was a huge success in terms of how it was organized and executed. The President, Mr. Uche Honnah, is charismatic and he exudes infectious confidence. We need more people like him to come forward as future leaders of Nigeria in training. The Former President, Dr. Osadebe Anam, was there to support the new President.

I encourage all Nigerian citizens worldwide to join any Nigeria-related organization in his/her immediate community and make a difference by mere participation. That’s all it takes to orchestrate the change we all crave.
By John Chuka, Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 10:02 AM