THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND MEETING
London, England
November 1-3, 2002

MINUTES OF THIRD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Held On
November 3, 2002
2:10 pm – 5:10 pm

At

Goddis Restaurant,
126 New Cross Road, London SE14, United Kingdom

Prepared By Onoawarie Edevbie
Secretary, Urhobo Historical Society

Present: Grace Aghoghovbia, Benjamin Akposheri, Omorotu Ayovuare, Johnson Barovbe, Clever Edefah, Abel Edeki, Andrew Edevbie, E. T. Eghweree, Richard Ekaragha, Helen Ekeh, Peter Ekeh, Felicia Emessiri-Akusu, Edirin Erhiaganoma, Isaac Mowoe, Asame Obiomah, Daniel Obiomah, Lily. Obiomah, Simpson Obruche, Comfort Ogbomo, Francis Ogbomo,  Godwin Oghenede, Wilson Ometan, Onajevwe Omo-Ejakpovi, Francis Omohwo, Victor Omokughegbe, Christopher Onomijega, Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Ejiro Ughwujabo, Alice Ukueku, Simon Udu, Felicia Uwejeyah, Mejero Uwejeyah, Moses Uwejeyah, Philip Wanogho and Lily Wekpe.

The Annual General Meeting opened with prayers said by Moses Uwejeya. The meeting proceeded along the following issues with Peter Ekeh, Chair of Urhobo Historical Society, presiding.

1. Statement on the Role and Authority of the General Meeting of Urhobo Historical Society by Peter Ekeh to indicate that

• the General Membership Meeting provides members the opportunity to exercise its authority to set the agenda for UHS activities for the ensuing year.  The General Membership also delegates such authority to implement the agenda, to the Editorial and Management Committee which in turn, assigns administrative functions and duties involved, to its executive.    
• General Membership Meetings are held once a year, usually on the first weekend of November at the end of UHS Annual Conference.
• the mission of UHS is to serve the history and culture of Urhobo people. History does not have to be left only to academicians to write but should be opened  to anyone who has a story to tell. School teachers, church ministers, parents, village elders and members of the masses, including traditional custodians of the knowledge of how our people lived, can write history.

 2. Adoption of the Minutes of the 2001 General Meeting

Peter Ekeh called on members to point out for discussion and for necessary correction, any errors or omission of facts, which they  may have discovered in the minutes. Copies of the minutes had been distributed prior to and at this meeting

• There were no comments on the minutes as presented. A motion to adopt the minutes as written was subsequently made by Isaac Mowoe. The motion was seconded by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro and passed by the house.

3. Matters Arising from the 2001 Minutes

• None were raised or  discussed

4. Planning for the 2003 UHS Annual Conference and General Meeting

• Godwin Oghenede suggested the adoption of London as the venue for the 2003 Conference and General Meeting. He felt that the Urhobo in London have come to know what the UHS mission is, and are better prepared than any other group of people, at this point in time, to host another UHS Conference and General Meeting.
• Ms Emejero Uwejeyah wanted to know how much was being done and how much is expected when hosting a UHS Conference. Francis Ogbomo directed members present to the youthfulness of Emejero and asked the house to congratulate her for her initiative. The house complied by giving her a round of applause.
• Johnson Barovbe reminded members of an observation he made earlier that UHS is destined to become a frontline major force in dealing with issues of interest to Urhobo Nation. Although UHS has been in existence for sometime now, and has successfully held conferences in the United States and now in the United Kingdom, many of our people are still not aware of UHS activities. He therefore urged that the 2003 UHS Conference and General Meeting be moved to our homeland of Nigeria.
• Others including Felicia Emessiri-Akusu, Lily Obiomah and Lily Wekpe contended that UHS is not sufficiently prepared neither is Nigeria stable enough to host the conference in 2003. Francis Ogbomo, however, admonished members to understand that Nigeria has not been a stable country for sometime now, and that UHS should not have to wait for Nigeria to become a perfect environment for it to be considered a conference venue.
• Edefa Edarighofua asked the house to consider the amount of funding needed before choosing the appropriate venue to host the conference.
• The discussions about the choice of a site for the 2003 UHS Annual conference were brought to a close with a general consensus that the conference will return to London for the year 2003. The General Meeting also urged the Editorial and Management Committee to strongly pursue all efforts towards the possibility of holding the 2004 UHS Annual Conference and General Meeting in Nigeria.

5. Plans for the Growth and Future of Urhobo Historical Society 

     Discussions on the Establishment of Urhobo Historical Society Endowment  Fund led by Peter Ekeh and Isaac Mowoe

• Peter Ekeh opened the discussions by walking members through how Urhobo Historical Society as an organization, came into being. The Society, he stressed, has been funded through the generosity of members of its Editorial and Management Committee and members of Urhobo Historical Society. The Society also received a one-time donation from Senator David Dafinone. Since its inception in August 1999, the activities and responsibilities of the organization have grown immensely to the point where it is becoming increasingly difficult to rely solely on the goodwill of members.  In order for UHS to continue its important mission of serving Urhobo history and culture, Peter Ekeh called for the establishment of UHS Endowment Fund, to generate funds necessary for running the affairs and services of UHS.
• Isaac Mowoe also talked about the earlier forms of funding which include two levels of membership dues, namely regular and charter membership dues. Regular annual membership dues were set for $50.00 and those who can afford it were asked to pay to the extent of their ability, $200.00 or more. Occasionally, UHS also received help from benefactors like David Dafinone who at one time donated $2000.00 that was used to buy computers and much needed accessories. While these forms of help from members and benefactors are praiseworthy, they are not expected to be enough to satisfy UHS needs in the long run, hence the current calls for a better and a more reliable method of funding. Members of the UHS Editorial and Management Committee believe that an endowment fund is the way to go.
• In an endowment, both Isaac Mowoe, an attorney, and Godwin Oghenede, a chartered accountant, went on to explain, the capital or the amount collected and invested, is left intact and only the returns on the investment is to be used. About 10 percent of the returns are expected to be channeled back into the fund to boost the original capital.
• If UHS wants or likes to proceed with the idea of establishing the fund, Isaac Mowoe and Godwin Oghenede called on UHS Executive to speed up its efforts to register the Society as a non profit organization, both in United States and the United Kingdom,  in order to qualify for tax exempt status which could go a long way to encourage and assure prospective donors that donations into the fund will be tax-free.
• Efforts should also be made, Isaac Mowoe advised, to establish an endowment board outside UHS to administer the fund. Under this arrangement, UHS will be required to submit its budget to the board for approval. The approved budget by law must be implemented or spent according to the approved agenda. A bank will also likely be nominated to provide officers to work with UHS in handling the proceeds from the fund.
• Onajevwe Omo-Ejakpovi suggested that the endowment board when established, should be based in Nigeria but have working relationships with people in North America and Europe.
• Simpson Obruche supported the idea of endowment, which he said, is becoming popular in Nigeria, citing the current efforts by Ughelli Anglican Diocese to raise some 30 million naira for developmental projects.  Following this endorsement, the General Meeting as indicated by consensus, adopted the idea of an endowment.
• The General Meeting also acted on a suggestion by Peter Ekeh, to appoint an UHS Endowment Fund Exploration Committee to devise the plan for establishing the fund. The committee members so appointed, to undertake this task are Johnson Barovbe in Nigeria, Godwin Oghenede in the United Kingdom, Isaac Mowoe and Andrew Edevbie, both in the United States.
• Johnson Barovbe cautioned that in raising money for the endowment, UHS should consider asking individuals or groups to pay a pre-assigned amount of money. Relying on voluntary donations has not in the past, worked well for our people.
• Felicia Uwejeyah while expressing her gratitude to current members of UHS, called on Urhobo people in London to organize themselves and to help UHS to survive.
• Others, including Simon Udu and Grace Aghoghovbia, supported the ideas put forward by Felicia Uwejeyah and Johnson Barovbe but advised UHS to consult with individuals and various Urhobo groups for assistance.
• Simpson Obruche called on interested individuals to take responsibility and act on behalf of clans or unions. Onajevwe Omo-Ejakpovi pointed to the possibility of using the clan or union leaderships as units for collecting assigned money.
• Godwin Oghenede drew the attention of the house to the distinction between membership dues and contributions towards the endowment fund. Johnson Barovbe urged others to contribute generously towards the fund, in addition to paying their membership dues as required.
• Godwin Oghenede proposed to the house to establish two ranks of membership namely individual memberships and corporate memberships. Under this arrangement, it would be possible for interested persons as a group say as members of a union or clan, to take up corporate membership, in addition to signing up for membership on individual basis. Both Grace Aghoghovbia and Lily Wekpe successfully persuaded the house to shelve the idea of corporate membership. Members seemed to prefer that UHS remain for now, an organization owned, supported and managed by individuals who subscribe to its mission.

 6. Establishment of UHS Service Awards

(a) Authorization of Service Awards

• Peter Ekeh presented the UHS Editorial and Management Committee’s proposal of the Service Awards by calling on Aruegodore Oyiborhoro to read out to the hearing of the General Meeting the text of the proposal.
• The proposal as read by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro was intended to honor the memory of individuals of Urhobo ancestry, who have distinguished themselves in their services or contributions to the cause of Urhobo history and culture in their life times. The awards will be presented to recognize those men and women who have made, or who are making contributions, which mirror the life-long dedication and commitment to the cause of Urhobo nation as shown by those after whom the awards are named. The text recommended five service awards namely Mukoro Mowoe Service Award; Omorohwovo Okoro Co-Leadership Service Award; Agbontaren Udih Diaspora Service Award; M.G. Ejaife Education Service Award; and Adogbeji Salubi Urhobo History Service Award.
• Following Aruegodore Oyiborhoro’s presentation, Mr. Francis Ogbomo asked the house to pay tribute to the brave and illustrious men for whom the proposed service awards are named, by rising for one minute of silence in their memory and in gratitude for their services to the cause of Urhobo Nation. At the end of the minute silence, the Chair, Peter Ekeh, offered a short prayer in their reverence.
• Christopher Onomijega praised UHS Editorial and Management Committee for the proposal and added that he personally knew two of the men cited, M. G. Ejaife and  Agbontaren Udih whom he met in 1941. He indicated that these men were among those whom Urhobo people looked up to as heroes and role models in the times past.
• On a motion moved by Edirin Erhiaganoma and seconded by Simpson Obruche, the General Meeting approved on a voice vote, the proposal to institute the five UHS Service Awards as presented.

(b) The Establishment of UHS Service Awards Selection Committee

• Following the approval of the UHS Service Awards, Peter Ekeh called on the house to set up a Committee to undertake the task of making recommendations for the awards.
• The General Meeting, by consensus, authorized UHS Editorial and Management Committee to set up UHS Service Awards Selection Committee to be made up of two individuals each from North America and Europe and three from Nigeria, as committee members.

7. Reconstitution of Editorial and Management Committee of Urhobo Historical Society and Authorization for Establishment of UK & Europe Coordinating Committee and Authorization for Exploring the Possibility of Establishing a Nigeria Coordinating Committee of Urhobo Historical Society.

• Peter Ekeh called on members to authorize the reconstitution of UHS Editorial and Management Committee (EMC) which manages the affairs of UHS.  He suggested that the General Meeting grant the authority to create  separate working groups to look after the affairs of UHS in North America, Europe, and Nigeria.
• Christopher Onomijega proposed to the General Meeting to retain the current set up in Europe.
• Edirin Erhiaganoma urged UHS not to overlook the need for some working relation between the different international groups for the purpose of coordinating activities. He suggested that the groups in Nigeria and Europe can work to provide the North American group with valuable assistance that will help UHS to fulfill its mission.
• On a motion moved by Onajevwe Omo-Ejakpovi and seconded by Christopher Onomijega, the General Meeting adopted the resolution to authorize the  following:

(a). the reconstitution of EMC,  retaining all of its 9 active members and adding new members for a total of 15.

(b). setting up of a UK & Europe Coordinating Committee, with members drawn from active members of the United Kingdom & Belgium Organizing Committee of UHS Third Annual Committee and other members in the area, for a total of nine . The new set-up will coordinate the affairs of UHS in Europe and work with the EMC.

© exploring the possibility of EMC setting up a Nigeria Coordinating Committee. Johnson Barovbe has offered to lead the efforts in Nigeria and will work with EMC.

7. Conference and Communique Committee

• The General Meeting charged members of the Conference and Communique Committee -- Isaac Mowoe, Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Edirin Erhiaganoma and Andrew Edevbie -- to come up with a communiqué that will reflect all of the concerns expressed during the three days of the conference.
• Simpson Obruche asked the committee to pay particular attention when preparing the communiqué, to issues dealing with the survival of Urhobo language and culture, and the awfulness of environmental degradation of Urhoboland. He called the attention of the Annual General Meeting to the existence of Urhobo Language Vetting Committee.

Conclusion of General Meeting

• Francis Ogbomo in a  note of gratitude to all those who were present, called on the Editorial and Management Committee to write to thank those who contributed to the success of the conference. He also called on Urhobo Scholars and intellectuals wherever they are, to rise up to the challenge of the times by writing, speaking and deliberating on matters of interest to Urhobo Nation.
• Peter Ekeh gave a vote of thanks to all those present, including all speakers and presenters; Johnson Barovbe for helping to publicize the conference in newspapers such as The Guardian and Urhobo Voice; members of the Conference and Communiqué Committee, namely, Isaac Mowoe, Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Edirin Erhiaganoma and Andrew Edevbie; and members of the London Conference Committee namely Simpson Obruche, Wilson Ometan, Henry Erhiaganoma, Francis Omohwo, Godwin Oghenede, Felicia Emessiri-Akusu (Belgium), Henry Ogboru, Aghogho Natufe, and Ejiro Ughwujabo for their contributions.
• Just while the General Meeting was about to conclude its 2002 session, Johnson Barovbe asked all those present to rise as he led them in singing Urhobo Anthem, Orere R’ Ijesa
• The Meeting was finally adjourned at 5.10 PM.