June 2006 EVI Executive Monthly Meetings Held on July 1, 2006

June 2006 EVI Executive Monthly Meeting Minutes
Meeting Held on July 1, 2006


Attendees:

Mr. Usman Anibasa, Mr. Bello Abdullahi, Mr. Boyi Jimoh, Mr. Raji Mathews, Dr. Joseph Akomodi and Dr. Sunday Abraham

President’s Opening Speech:

The president welcomed all the executive members to the meeting and asked that the secretary to provide the highlights of May 2006 meeting minutes.

Highlights of the May 2006 meeting minutes:

1) Sending delegates to Ebira – delegates are President, general secretary, Raji Mathews. Date is subject to when we are able to raise money (see below for decision regarding sending delegates home)
2) Mr. Umah Suggested getting involved with the community, especially the victims of the recent crisis in Ihima
3) Paying Dues and Donation – bank name and address provided
4) EVI interaction strategy – accepted by all
5) Letters to the community leaders – delivering the letters to the recipients
6) Where about of the chairman?

EVI Plans to Embark on the following Projects:

The president revealed to the participants that EVI is planning to embark on the following two projects and asked that we deliberate on them:

a) Financial aid to the victims of crisis in entire Ebiraland
b) EVI scholarship to college students intending to pursue university education

On the first task, upon extensive discussion, everyone agreed that EVI needs to render monetary assistance to the victims. Mr. Anibasa warned however, that caution should be exercised as money does corrupt. He then suggested that financial assistance should be channeled through each region’s local leader. Mr. Anibasa and Mr. Umah were charged with compiling the names of victims and community leaders of the regions affected.

On the second task, the intention is to provide scholarships to bright ebira youths for university education. $1000 dollars a year is the amount suggested. This was deemed as quite adequate. Mr. Usman suggested getting corporate bodies and NGOs ready to assist in this course. The participants discussed the criteria for deciding the beneficiaries. Mr. Abdullahi suggested basing our selection on competition among the students. The participants of the meeting settled on basing the successful students on WAEC results and criteria set forth by EVI. The president and the secretary were charged with forming a committee that will determine the required criteria. Mr. Jimoh commented that it is important for the scholarship scheme to be self-sustainable for long time. It was agreed that we need serious planning to see this scholarship program through.

Collecting Dues and Donations:

The secretary stated that no progress has been made on dues or donation collection since the last meeting; the secretary suggested the following:
The president to call those living in North America that has not paid.
Mr. Anibasa to collect dues and donations from members at home (Mr. Anibasa plans to discuss this issue with Mr. Umah and Mr. Ochetengwu). Mr. Jimoh will contact Mr. Anibasa for his donation and due.
Mr. Mathews will collect dues and donations from those in Europe.

Commenting on the above plan, Mr. Abdullahi reiterated that it is important to ensure that dues and donations are collected on time.

The Death of A.T. Ahmed/Complexity of Politics at Home:

All participants send their condolences to the family of the late A.T. Ahmed. A.T.Ahmed is a loss to Anebira. EVI hopes that Anebira will use the death of this prominent figure as an umbrella to unite.

Sending Delegates Home:

The secretary informed that this is not the priority right now – our priority is providing help to the victims of crisis and helping college students. Mr. Anibas, Mr. Jimoh and Mr. Abdullahi suggested that delegates should still be sent home later on. The secretary said this will be done in the long run.

Infrastructure to Schools/Colleges:

The president informed the participants of the meeting that our next project will be providing infrastructure to schools and colleges. This will mainly be in the form of books, computers and other scholar items.

Other:

The secretary suggested educating the public through broadcasting media. Mr. Abdullahi agreed and said this is a good idea. Mr. Anibasa suggested contacting Kabiru of Ebiraview for advice in this regard. Mr. Jimoh suggested using the students in the universities, colleges and schools to promote the awareness of EVI. Mr. Jimoh further said that though EVI is a non-political organization, but there is no reason why it should not enjoy popularity among the youths at home. Mr. Anibasa was asked to advise of his discussion with Kabiru during the next meeting.

Mr. Mathews joined the meeting close to the end of the meeting. He apologized for being late. Mr. Mathew was welcomed to the meeting and advised to read the minutes of the meeting.

Next Monthly Meeting:

The general secretary suggested that our next monthly meeting would be end of July and thanked everyone for finding time to attend the June meeting.

Meeting Adjourned:

The president adjourned the meeting and thanked everyone for finding time to attend.