Our Constitution

Igbo Ekunie Initiative [IEI]

We the Igbo people of the South East Nigeria

Recognising the need to come together and work assiduously for the emergence of a

prosperous Igbo land;

Knowing that we can best articulate and protect our interests here by so doing;

Believing that institutionalising our interaction enhances our capacity for achieving our

United in our ardent love for our nativity and a dream to see a strong and prosperous

region emerge out of it, and;

Resolved to strictly work for the attainment of our objectives which are articulated

Hereby give ourselves the following rules and regulations, hereafter known as the

Igbo Ekunie Initiative shall be strictly non-partisan and exist to foster the spirit of

brotherhood and co-operation and promote greater networking, economic prosperity and

cultural heritage among the Igbo people of Nigeria.

In pursuit of this goal, we the members of Igbo Ekunie Initiative hereby adopt the

following laws to become binding on every member.

1.0 NAME: Igbo Ekunie Initiative. Motto: Òfó na Ogù

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

1. Igbo Ekunie Initiative shall be a sociocultural and economic organization exclusive

to people of Igbo descent within and outside Nigeria.

2. The Initiative shall pursue the full integration of Ndi Igbo into the Nigerian polity

in a manner that will secure their place of pride and protect their rights.

3. The Initiative shall collaborate with other organizations and individuals that share

similar objectives to work towards regional prosperity.

4. The Initiative shall work for economic emancipation and empowerment of the

Igbo people.

5. The Initiative shall strive to recover, rediscover and preserve the Igbo heritage

6. The Initiative shall adopt measures to strengthen and preserve the Igbo language

and ensure its transmission to future generations.

7. The Initiative shall work for unity and amity of the Igbo race.

8. The Initiative shall work to ensure that the preservation of the rights of Ndi Igbo

is seen and heard in global arena through contacts, outreaches, representations,

and other credible forms of advocacy.

9. The Initiative shall seek to work with all the Eastern states governors, and to

serve as a think Tank to assist the eastern governors provide enabling

environment for inter-state projects and developments.

10. Igbo Ekunie Initiative shall encourage and facilitate Igbo persons and groups in

the Diaspora to invest and bring foreign partners to invest in Igbo nation.

The following Offices shall exist in Igbo Ekunie

Igbo Ekunie Central Council (IECC)

This shall come into effect after the inauguration and shall serve as the central

working committee of Igbo Ekunie and shall comprise of the Presidents and

Secretaries of all inaugurated Branches and Chapters and Directors of the

Directorates. One of its main functions shall be to ratify and authorize all actions

proposed to be carried out by the braches and chapters, see to policy formulation

and enunciating the directive principles of Igbo Ekunie.

As the supreme organ, it shall have the powers to overrule Branches and

Chapters as well as Directorates, modify their actions and/or proposals and

suspend erring Branches’, Chapters or Directorates’ executives and impose

sanctions in accordance with the applicable rules of Igbo Ekunie.

4.0 MEMBERSHIP:

Any male person born of Igbo parents, who is proudly Igbo and associates with Ndi-Igbo

can be a member. The person must be in good standing and with no known criminal

convictions in order to qualify as a member.

**Member in good standing:

A member of this Initiative shall be deemed in good standing if:

(a) He is current on all membership dues;

(b) He is current on all levies and financial obligations of the Initiative;

(c) He has not failed to attend three consecutive meetings of the General

Membership. Non-attendance will be excused in cases of death in the family,

sickness of family member or self, and natural disaster.

(d) If a member fails to meet any one of the criteria in Article 4 (a,b,c), that

member shall lose all privileges as determined by this initiative, including the

right to vote and/or be voted for. The secretary shall maintain a register of

attendance which must be brought to all meetings of this Initiative.

(e) A member may be suspended and in extreme cases expelled for gross

misconduct and criminal convictions. The motion for such suspension or expulsion

shall be raised brought by the Executive council for ratification

(f) The Executive council shall with the ratification of the General membership

determine what constitutes gross misconduct

5.0 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:

The structure of this organization shall consist of the following:

The Executive Council

The Directorates, and

The General Membership

The Officers of the Association shall comprise of:

• The President

• The Vice President

• The Secretary

• Financial Secretary

• Publicity Secretary

5.1.1 The President

5.1.1(a) The President shall be the chief executive of the Initiative and in this

capacity, the President shall be responsible to the Initiative and coordinate the entire

activities of the Initiative. President shall have the powers to call general and special

meetings. The President shall represent the Initiative at any level as occasion may call

for. The President shall preside over all meetings and all other officers shall be

responsible to the Initiative through the President.

5.1.1(b) The President conducts and chairs all General Membership meetings, sets

the agenda , suspends and reopens debates, and calls for a vote as necessary.

5.1.1(c) The President appoints members to act for any elected official who is

absent. Such appointment terminates at the expiration of assigned duty or on the return

of the elected official.

5.1.1(d) The president also performs all other duties as directed by the General

5.1.2(a) The vice president shall assist the President in the execution of his or

duties, preside over meetings when the President is absent, and perform all the duties of

the President any time the President is absent.

5.1.2(b) In the event the office of the President becomes vacant, or the President

becomes incapacitated, the Vice President shall automatically assume the duties of the

office of the President of the Initiative, and a new Vice President shall be elected by the

General Membership under the Initiative electoral procedure.

5.1.2(c) The Vice President shall perform other activities as directed by the general

5.1.2(e) The Vice President reports to the Executive Council.

5.1.3 The Secretary

5.1.3(a) The secretary records the minutes of the meetings of the Initiative

and prepares agenda for the next meeting.

5.1.3(b) The Secretary distributes the minutes of the last meeting prior to

the next meeting and makes changes as directed by the General Membership.

5.1.3(c) The Secretary handles all correspondences of the Initiative as

directed by the President.

5.1.3(d) The Secretary serves as the Keeper of organization files and

records in addition to records kept by other officials.

5.1.3(e) The Secretary performs all other duties as directed by the General

5.1.3(f) The Secretary shall keep record of all motion amendments to the

5.1.3(g) The secretary reports to the Executive Council.

5.1.5 The Financial Secretary

5.1.5(a) The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for collecting all

Initiative funds, and all funds collected shall be handed to the Treasurer within a

reasonable time of collection.

5.1.5(b) The Financial Secretary shall be responsible for the financial

records of the Initiative.

5.1.5(c) The Financial Secretary maintains the records of all financial

transactions of the Initiative and prepares such records for dissemination to the Board

and the General Membership.

5.1.5(d) Shall be responsible for all tax matters.

5.1.5(e) The Financial Secretary prepares and submits as needed all

financial statements and, or, financial summaries of the Initiative.

5.1.5(f) The Financial Secretary performs all other duties as directed by the

General Membership.

5.1.5(g) The Financial Secretary shall report to the Executive Council.

5.1.5(h) The Financial Secretary shall prepare payment voucher for all

disbursements and issue receipts for all monies collected.

5.1.6 The Treasurer

5.1.6(a) Shall be responsible for the safekeeping of all Initiative funds

including deposits and withdrawals.

5.1.6(b) The Treasurer reports to the Executive Council.

5.1.6(c) The Treasurer shall also perform all other duties as directed by the

general Membership.

5.1.6(d) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the real property of the

5.1.7 The Publicity Secretary

5.1.7(a) Shall be responsible for dissemination of all the activities, both

internally and externally.

5.1.7(b) Promotes favourable image of the Initiative for the media.

5.1.7(c) The publicity secretary recruits members to the Initiative.

5.1.7(d) Handles the dissemination of meetings, and invitations to members

and heads a group appointed to organize social events.

5.1.7(e) In cooperation with the Directorates, locates sites for social events.

5.1.7(f) Gives direction to places of social events.

5.1.7(g) Performs such other duties as directed by the General Membership.

5.1.7(h) Reports to the Executive Council.

5.2 The Executive Council

5.2.1 The management and control of affairs, business, and property of the Initiative

shall be vested in its Executive Council.

5.2.2 The Executive Council shall comprise of all The Officers, and Chairpersons of The

Directorates. This notwithstanding, the members shall be not less than four (4) nor more

than fifteen (15), which number may be increased or decreased from time to time by

amendment of these Laws.

5.2.3 The president or in his absence the Vice President shall act as the head of the

5.2.4 The Executive Council may provide advice and guidance to the General

Membership as needed.

5.2.5 The Executive Council may propose long term goals for discussion and

5.2.6 The Executive Council shall meet as often as needed.

5.2.7 The Executive Council may hold its meetings at such places within or outside the

principal office location of the Initiative, as specified in the requisite notice when

5.2.8 Except as provided herein, or by statute, or in the Articles of Incorporation, at

each meeting of the Executive Council, at least a majority of the Council members shall

be present in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the

absence of a quorum, any Council member present may adjourn any meeting from time

to time until a quorum is had. Notice of any such adjourned meetings need to be given.

5.2.9 Any member of the Executive Council shall have the power to call general

meeting of the Association, if the President fails to convene general meeting on two

consecutive regularly scheduled meetings.

5.2.10 The Executive Council shall have responsibility to deal with other matters as

requested by the General Membership.

5.3 The Directorates

5.3.1 The Initiative shall establish standing directorates, the composition

and structure of which may be changed or altered as needed, from time to time by the

General Membership. The committees may include the following:

5.3.1(a) Legal, Strategy and Mobilization Directorate

5.3.1(b) Economic Planning, Development and Investment Directorate

5.3.1(c) Education and Culture Directorate

5.3.1(d) Political Affairs Directorate

5.3.1(e) International Affairs Directorate

5.3.1(f) Directorate Publicity and Re-Orientation Directorate

5.3.2 The number of members of each directorate shall be determined by

the need of that directorate.

5.3.3 Membership of the directorates shall be voluntary. This

notwithstanding, the General Membership shall have the powers to elect members if

there are not enough volunteers to make up a directorate.

5.3.4 Each directorate shall have a chairperson appointed by the

Executive Council and ratified by the General Membership. Each chairperson so

appointed and ratified shall serve as a member of the Executive Council.

5.3.4 The membership of each directorate shall be for a single term of

three years with no option of renewal.

5.3.5 No member of the Association shall serve in more than two

directorates concurrently.

5.3.6 Each directorate shall carry out duties as may be prescribed from

time to time by the General Membership.

Functions of Directorates

1. Legal, Strategy and Mobilization Directorate shall perform the following

Legal, Strategy and Mobilization Directorate shall draft all laws and regulations of

Igbo Ekunie for adoption

It shall interphase for the IEI in all legal and strategy matters

Produce governance policies and procedures the IEI

Shall serve as the Think Tank and powerhouse of the Initiative

Draft also for adoption the membership admission process

Shall carry out all investigations relating to IEI, its officers, agencies and partners

Shall submit legal opinion and advice to guide IEI in all its dealings with public,

institutions and government as well as private or corporate bodies

It shall carry out oversight activities on the Directorates as to ensure they all remain

Shall provide mechanisms for legal and integrity tests for IEI activities, including

Shall propose and manage membership documentations, mobilisation, development and

management of database

Shall investigate and make recommendations to Central Executive Council, Delegates

Assembly and Biennial General Meeting for adoption and action

Work out mechanisms of advice on implications of the action or publications of the

Organization and the relationship between IEI with other bodies

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General Membership

2. Economic Planning, Development and Investment Directorate

Shall develop an economic development and Investment Blueprint of Igbo Land by IEI

Shall develop mechanisms for financial drive to raise adequate funds for the

development of Igbo land in all its ramifications

Shall seek partners in and outside Nigeria for the development purposes

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General Membership

3. Education and Culture Directorate

Shall fashion out ways and means of improving and revitalizing education in Igbo land

Shall develop scholarship schemes for special education in areas considered strategic,

especially in teaching and sustaining Igbo language

Shall produce blueprint on how the Initiative shall embark on cultural studies and

perpetuation and transmission of Igbo culture to the younger generation

The Directorate shall organize Igbo language teaching forms, texts, electronic, etc, to

push such campaigns as “Suba Asusu Igbo” and the like

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General membership.

4. Political Affairs Directorate

The Directorate shall work out ways and means of forging alliances and partnerships

with political parties, political associations, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs, government and

government agencies, etc. in the furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Initiative.

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General membership

5. International Affairs Directorate

Shall galvanize the Igbo diaspora and channel their energies and synergy towards

development of Igbo land

Shall work out ways and means of tapping into the resources in other countries of the

world by developing workable partnerships, especially with foreign governments and

international donor agencies and other international organizations.

Shall work out ways and means of attracting Foreign Direct Investment in concert with

Economic planning, Development and Investment Directorate

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General membership.

6. Directorate Publicity and Re-Orientation Directorate

Shall: provide the blueprint for a comprehensive publicity of the Initiative’s activities for

a sustainable image and healthy public perception

It shall drive publicity and image management of the Initiative

Shall develop the logo and trademarks of the Initiative

It shall create and manage websites, Facebook accounts and other social media

platforms as approved

It shall develop curricular and contents of the social campaigns of the Initiative aimed at

correcting any perceived wrong attitude and unwholesome orientation of Ndi Igbo

It shall develop and manage information dissemination platforms of the Initiative such as

newsletters, magazines, as well as other print and electronic outlets that may be

approved to be set up from time to time

Carry out any other assignment that may be referred to it by the Executive and/or

General membership.

5.4 The General Membership

The General Membership shall include all members of Igbo Ekunie Initiative as embodied

and defined in this constitution and shall the most powerful organ and highest decision

making body. In the event of deadlock in the Executive Council, the president shall direct

the issue to the general membership who shall cast a vote to decide and such decision is

Decisions at the Executive Council and General membership shall be by simple majority

unless where otherwise provided.

All pecuniary interests in the businesses of a member/members and Igbo Ekunie

Initiative shall be disclosed in advance to all members to avoid conflict of interest

6.0 TENURE AND ELECTION:

6.1 The Officers:

6.1.1 The term of each office shall be for two calendar years.

6.1.2 No elected officer of the Association shall be elected to the

same office for more than two consecutive terms.

6.1.3 Only members in good standing as defined in Article 4, Section 4.4

may vote and/or be voted for an office.

6.1.4 All officers shall be elected by simple majority of members present

at regularly scheduled meetings.

6.1.5 Voting may be by secret ballot, voice count, open write-in, or raise

of hands, as may be decided by the General Membership.

6.2 The Standing Directorate:

6.2.1 The term of each member shall be for 3 years, with no option of renewal.

6.2.2 Membership of the standing Directorate shall be voluntary. This notwithstanding,

the General Membership shall have the powers to elect members if there are not enough

volunteers to make up a committee.

6.2.3 Chairperson of a standing Directorate shall be appointed by the Executive

7.0 FINANCE AND AUDIT:

7.1 The financial year of the Association shall be the calendar year.

7.2 The Executive Council shall determine the financial institution where the

Association funds shall be held

7.3 The Executive Council may determine types of accounts to be opened in

the interest of the Initiative as it sees fit.

7.4 All funds received shall be deposited within a reasonable time of receipt of

7.5 The Initiative funds shall in no case be commingled.

7.6 All checks in favour of the Initiative shall be made payable to IGBO

7.7 All checks, wires and transfers made for withdrawal of Association funds

must be signed by any two of the following officers:

The President or the Vice President

The Secretary

The Treasurer

7.8 Use of Association Funds:

Initiative funds may not be used without prior approval of the Executive Council.

7.9 No member shall borrow funds or enter into a credit obligation or contract on

behalf of the Initiative in excess of 10.000 naira without prior approval by the Executive

Council. (without prior resolution by a simple majority of the General Membership to

borrow such funds or enter into such obligation).

7.10 An annual audit of Association funds will be performed by an audit committee to

be set up in accordance with Article ______, Section ________.

7.11 The result of the audit including its findings shall be submitted to the General

7.12 The penalty for misappropriation of Association funds may include suspension or

outright dismissal from the Initiative, or as the General Membership may see fit.

8.0 RESIGNATION AND VACANCY:

8.1 Any officer or member of a Directorate may resign his position in writing

to the General Membership through the president.

8.2 If an office or chairperson of a Directorate becomes vacant by resignation

or any reason, the General Membership shall elect a member for that position.

8.3 Resignation shall not relieve the officer or member of a committee of any

accountability for the act or misconduct committed while in office.

8.4 Any officer or member of a standing Directorate can be relieved of his duty

by the General Membership.

9.0 DUES & FEES

9.1 The registration fee is non-refundable and shall be N10000.00 per

member, or as determined annually by the General Membership.

9.2 Annual membership dues shall be N30000.00 per member, or as

determined annually by the General Membership.

9.3 Annual dues become due and payable on the first meeting day of the year,

and become delinquent if not paid by the second meeting of the year.

9.4 All other assessments must be paid within period specified.

9.5 Penalty for late payment of annual dues shall be N1000.00 after second

meeting of the year, or as may be set from time to time by the General Membership.

9.6 A voluntary donation of any amount to the Association is acceptable.

9.7 All levies must be voted on and approved by a simple majority of the

General Membership present at regularly scheduled meetings.

9.8 All payments must be receipted to the individual from whom the money is

9.9 All fees, dues, assessments, and levies, paid to the Initiative are non-

10.0 MEETINGS:

General meetings of the Initiative shall be held bi-weekly on Sundays, date of which may

be adjusted from time to time as may be determined by General Membership.

General meetings of the Initiative may be held by a teleconference as may be

determined from time to time by the General Membership.

Except for special and emergency meetings, the Executive Council shall provide notices

for general meetings at least one week in advance.

Each general meeting will last for not more than three hours.

A single member supported by at least one other member may move for an adjournment

of a general meeting.

Ten (10) % of registered members, one of who must be a member of the Executive

Council must be present to constitute a Quorum.

A standard of decorum is to be governed by respect for one another. Under no

circumstances should there be a use of offensive, personal suggestive or directed words

against any member. No member shall fight or engage in harmful acts or collusion with

others against any member.

10.7 Any misconduct by any member shall be addressed by the General

Membership, which address may include sanctions by the General Membership.

10.8 The President shall have the power to call for general and special

meetings. A simple majority of the Executive Council may call for general meetings if the

President fails to call two consecutively scheduled general meetings.

The President shall arrange for an official hospital visit of the hospitalized member by a

member of the Association.

Where practical, every member is encouraged to visit the hospitalized member.

11.5.5 The Initiative shall determine if further assistance is necessary and appropriate in

case of death of a member, death of a member’s child, or death of a member’s biological

11.6.1 Dispute among members: Members are encouraged to resolve their disputes

among family circles before contacting the Initiative.

11.6.2 The Initiative shall accept settling disputes among members only and if such

members agree to accept/or abide by the decision of the Initiative.

11.6.3 Any dispute accepted by the Initiative shall be referred to the Executive Council

11.6.4 Members are encouraged to resolve their disputes without seeking a court action.

11.6.5 No member should be allowed to support outsiders against IGBO EKUNIE

11.6.6 In resolution of conflicts the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be

applicable and jurisdiction shall be exercised by the courts of Nigeria

11.7 Patronization Program: Members are encouraged to patronize other members’

businesses and services.

12.0 IDEMINIFICATION:

Each of the officers and members of committees who renders services for the Initiative

shall be, and is hereby, indemnified and held harmless by the Initiative from and against

any and all liabilities, claims, losses, demands, and expenses whatsoever arising out of

or by reason of any negligent or wrongful acts or misconduct committed by him, or by

any person under his direct authority, supervision, and control, while rendering services

on behalf of the Initiative, provided , however, the Initiative shall not be so liable with

respect to any matter in which such person has been guilty of wilful misconduct, fraud or

material misrepresentation to the Initiative, its Executive Council and any other person.

13.0 DISCIPLINE

For the purpose of discipline, the Executive Council shall constitute itself into a

disciplinary Committee.

Where an executive Council member is standing accused, such member shall step down

from the meetings where the executive council shall discuss the issue;

Where the entire executive council is standing accused, the Legal, Strategy and

Mobilization Directorate shall act as the disciplinary committee and shall send their

report to General membership for ratification.

The President shall have the powers to impose reasonable sanctions other than

suspension or expulsion, to call an erring member to order.

All disputes at the State Branches, Chapters and Directorates shall be resolved by a

simple majority of the Central Executive Council Meeting

Appeals against the ruling of the executive council may be made to the next General

membership, where a simple majority may set aside or confirm the ruling of the

AMENDMENTS OF THE LAWS:

14.0 The General Membership shall have the exclusive powers to amend, add, alter, or

repeal these laws. The General Membership by a vote of two-thirds (2/3rd) of those

present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, may alter, amend, or repeal any

section or clause of these laws, and any law or alteration, amendment, or repeal so

made may be further amended, altered, or repealed by the General Membership

DISSOLUTION OF IGBO EKUNIE INITIATIVE

15. IGBO EKUNIE Initiative shall be dissolved when

15.1.1 There continuously are less than FOUR active members or

15.1.2 90 % of the existing membership at a duly informed general meeting vote in

favour of a dissolution. The dissolution shall be an item on the agenda and voting shall

be by secret ballot.

15.2 Upon dissolution, the assets of IGBO EKUNIE Initiative shall go to:

15.2.1 Charitable organisations in the 5 South East states

15.2.2 The Nigerian Child Welfare Agency working in Igboland

15.2.3 Any non-governmental national organisation for the handicapped in the South