BOK Friends International, Abia State Chapter has held its maiden Executive Council meeting in 2024 incorporating the 17 LGA Coordinators, major stakeholders and members of the Board of Trustees (BOT).
Speaking at the meeting which held on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Chief Patrick Onwuka’s country home, Umumkpeyi Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, the State Coordinator, Hon. Chief Henry Okorie, while welcoming attendees and thanking God for the New Year, charged everyone to refresh their commitment to advancing the objectives of the Organization which he said are non-political and essentially socio-cultural.
He emphasized the need for LGA Coordinators to work hard at the grassroots, in liaison with respective Stakeholders and State Officers in their LGAs, to raise members and leaders who would understand the goals of the Organization and be ready to play their roles effectively towards achieving the goals.
Hon. Okorie informed that he had attended the inauguration ceremony of the FCT Chapter of the Organization and that other State Chapters would soon be inaugurated.
In his remarks on behalf of the BOT Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Onwuchekwa (Otamba), who was away on an official assignment, the BOT Secretary, Hon. Orji Udeagha gave a brief historical background to the formation of Benjamin Okezie Kalu (BOK) Friends International and emphasized that the Organization is completely non-political and established to help consolidate the social development and humanitarian initiatives of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, as well as promote his sterling legacies.
Describing Rt. Hon. Kalu as rare gift to Abia State, Igbo land and Nigeria, Hon. Udeagha underscored the fact that an Abia son had not served as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the past, and urged members of BOK Friends International to rise to the challenge of propagating Rt. Hon. Kalu’s good works, especially his robust advocacy for peace in the South East, the actualization of his legislative agenda and his roles in helping to facilitate the success of the Federal Government’s economic policies.
Hon. Udeagha used the opportunity to announce the appointment of Chairmen of Stakeholders of the Organization for Abia North (Chief Dr. Godswill Agu Egbe), Abia Central (Chief Patrick Onwuka) and Abia South (Chief Sam Nwogu).
He also congratulated Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu who sponsored the historic South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill that had just been passed by the Senate, following its third reading on the floor of the House of Representatives on December 21, 2023.
He thanked Chief Patrick Onwuka for voluntarily hosting the meeting about which everyone had expressed satisfaction.
In their various responses, members of the State Executive Council, including the LGA Coordinators expressed happiness for being found worthy to serve in various capacities, and pledged their full support towards helping the Organization achieve its goals. They extoled the leadership vision of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu whom they described as servant-leader, an iconic role model and pride of the South East.
On his part, Chief Patrick Onwuka thanked the BOT for granting him an opportunity to serve as the leading stakeholder for Abia Central, and pledged to work with the State and LGA Coordinators in the best interests of the Organization.
Members of the State Executive Council present at the meeting include Hon. Henry Okechukwu Okorie (State Coordinator), Mr. Ezikpe Ibekwe (1st Deputy Coordinator), Barr. Enyinnaya Solomon (2nd Deputy Coordinator), Akpulonu Innocent Nkemdirim (General Secretary), Chief Chima Ikeoha (Asst. General Secretary), Hon. Ijeoma Okorie (Financial Secretary), Lady Ruth Uzoma (Treasurer) Lady Ngozi Egege (Women Leader), Lady Nnenna Kelechi (Deputy Women Leader) and Kingsley Uwakwe (Youth Leader).
Others are Chief Precious Nwaoha (Deputy Youth Leader), Idika Agwu Okpo (Organizing/Welfare Secretary), Hon. Nna Godwin (Asst. Organizing/Wefare Secretary), Nwokocha Victor (PRO), Hon. Okwara Victoria (Asst. PRO), Barr. Michael Ohabuiro (Legal Adviser), Barr. Orji O. Orji (Provost 1) and Hon. Jude Osu (Provost 2).
LGA Coordinators include Prince Innocent Ikonne (Aba North), Chief Okey Nguma (Isiala Ngwa North), Hon. Chimeremeze Nwankwo (Isiala Ngwa South), Hon. Samuel Uduma (Ohafia), Hon. Ugochukwu Nwankwo (Bende), Hon. Augustine Onwudinjo (Ikwuana), Hon. Joseph Odumuko (Isuikwuato), Com. Mathew Nwachukwu (Umuahia North), Ochiegbu Micael (Osisioma), Prince Christian Emejiaka (Aba South) and Hon. Michael Kalu Ikpe (Arochukwu).
Others are Hon. Michael Dennis Ukaigwe (Umunneochi), Com. Alozie Kenneth Chijindu (Ukwa West), Hon. Chisom Chidi (Ukwa East), Chief Peter Ajuzie (Ugwunagbo), Martins Amalahu (Obingwa) and Com. Kelechi C. Nwosu (Umuahia South).
The meeting was also attended by some volunteers who at the end expressed willingness to become full members of the Organization.
Victor Nwokocha
Head, Media & Public Relations
BOK Friends International
Abia State Chapter
