OROKO CULTURAL ASSOCIATION – USA   
2505 Greenes Lane
Powder Springs
GA 30127
Minutes for Executive Meeting. 02/11/2018 

The executive meeting was chaired by the National President Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje. The meeting began at 7.15 p.m ET, with opening prayer by Tata Emmanuel Ikoe. This was followed by opening remarks from the National President, Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje.

On her opening remarks, the National President, mentioned that we are looking forward in creating a 12-member committee that will be in charge of the developmental issues in Oroko land. She continued by saying that, since our Public Relation’s Office, Tata Victor Nanje just returned from Cameroon he can share with us the first-hand experience he had and also the analysis of the situation on the ground. She preceeded by giving us a briefing on the previous meeting with respect to the Boston chapter’s share of the proceeds from the 2017 convention. She said it was decided that whatever money we have collected so far, will be shared with the Boston Chapter in accordance with our constitution which says the national will take 60% and the host Chapter 40%. However, it was advised that the Boston Chapter should open an account since the check cannot be given to an individual considering the fact that we are a 501(C) 3 association. Tata Dr. Solomon Basame on his part mentioned that for now it was not possible for Boston to open an account but it was concluded that the cheque will be handed over to Boston Chapter not an individual, and it can be used to open an account.

On chapter reports, the President of the Houston Chapter Tata Burnet Diony, mentioned that they have had their second meeting for this year, and  he is trying to make sure that his members come on time and as of now they have about 15 members. Iya Gwendoline Bake of Colorado also mentioned that so far, they have about 9 Oroko people in Colorado to begin a new Chapter, but so far nobody has shown up for the meeting which she is trying to organize. The Georgia Chapter President Tata Chief Victor Obie on his part mentioned that, they have had their first meeting for 2018 in January but the chapter is still facing the problem of membership, of which he said, people are more interested in attending their village meetings rather than belonging to the general Oroko meeting. He continued by saying that, considering the Oroko crisis taking place back home, it is advisable that all of us come together as one big family in order to address the issue. He also mentioned that the idea of making a general uniform for Oroko USA for our conventions was accepted in Georgia. As for the Boston Chapter, Tata Dr. Solomon Basame, mentioned that as a representative of Boston, he does not have any updates except for the fact that the Boston President Tata Jana Nanje was supposed to be present in the meeting to give us an update on the pledges for the 2017 convention.

The meeting proceeded with the National President mentioning that the people of Chicago have created a new Chapter, and that Mr/Mrs Ekoi of Chicago notified her that they will not be present at this executive meeting this month, since they have not set up their executive yet, but hopefully their new President will be present by next meeting.  Iya Emilia Mukete of the Dallas represented the Dallas Chapter and she mentioned that their chapter has also accepted the Oroko USA national uniform for use in our conventions. The Washington D.C President Tata Mosongo Nanje, joined in and mentioned that their chapter  was doing fine in terms of people paying their registration and dues, but that the issue of the national uniform has not yet been discuss in their chapter.

With regards to the crisis in Cameroon, the public relation’s officer, Tata Victor Nanje mentioned that he just came back from Cameroon, and he did an analysis of the situation on the ground and that, there were many Oroko people who have being displaced, some were in Buea and Kumba prisons following the uprising. He continued by saying that in terms of the humanitarian assistance that Oroko USA may want to carry out in order to help our people who are caught up in this crisis, he already consulted with some dedicated and committee people on the ground who he believe can help us to carry out this humanitarian assistance with prudence.

Tata Paddy Ndole, on his part mentioned that the issue of humanitarian assistance in Cameroon is very sensitive, and that we should come up a way of helping not only Oroko people but a general way of helping those in prison who have being affected by the crisis as a way of showing our support, because they may be some Oroko people in prison that we may not know of. He mentioned that we can as well go to the hospitals to help everybody affected by the crisis not only Oroko people. The National President mentioned that we have to first of all agree to help as a people. Tata Victor Nanje mentioned that we have to first of all consult with the chapters to raise funds for the national. Tata Chief Victor Obie, mentioned that a committee should be set up to oversee the ground work for the humanitarian assistance. On his part, the Secretary General Tata Emmanuel Ikoe, mentioned that a relief for the crisis was very urgent and an immediate assistance for food, water and medication was needed to help the people who are in dire need, before we can start thinking of long term assistance. Tata Paddy Ndole and Tata Victor Nanje were appointed as members of the 5-member committee, followed by Tata Emmanuel Ikoe, Tata Dr. Charles Misori, Iya Patricia Mofa, Iya Olive Besseka, Iya Florence Ekoi, Tata Ebenezer Ekoi pending final approval by the National President after consultations with the latter individuals.

With regards to the forthcoming National Convention which will be held in Chicago, the National President mentioned that since most of the chapters present in the executive meeting have agreed for a national uniform, then so be it. She continued by saying that, every chapter should prepare to present a show in the form of a dance, music or whatever is best for them, and that it’s mandatory and there will be prize allocation for the best presentation. With regards to the national uniform, the Cultural Secretary Iya Gendoline Bake, mentioned that she will try to come up with three different samples for the uniforms that we can choose from.

On financial report, the Financial Secretary Iya Caroline Elangwe mentioned that, many people who pledge at the convention have still not meet up with their obligations. She continued by saying that we can only encourage them to pay their dues but be can’t force them. She said people should also avoid pledging what they know cannot afford to pay, rather it’s advisable for people to pay the little they have and be done with it, rather than making big pledges just to show off.

Still on pledges, the National Treasurer, Iya Naomi Ebile, mentioned that, for those who have paid their pledges before the end of 2017, it was advisable to give them a letter of recognition or gratitude with our EIN number so that they can file for taxes. The National President also mentioned that she used $30 to pay for OCA-USA registration with the Secretary of State using the OCA-USA card.

With regards to the Washington DC financial issues, Iya Caroline Elangwe mentioned that Tata Ebini Tambe was not part of the Washington DC executive when the money was handed to him, and that he should not be part of the issues instead we have to focus on Iya Angela Ngole, who was the President of Washington DC at the time, and who also ordered the release of the money. It was agreed by the executive that a letter will be sent to Iya Angela Ngole addressing the issue, and that the executive is asking her for the money because she remains the sole responsibility when it comes to the financial dispensation of what transpired at the time she was the Washington D.C president, and only her we recognized as being a liable to the funds duly owed or missing from the Washington DC chapter coffers.

With regards to the Oroko USA seal, it was concluded that, an Iroko tree which signifies power and strength will be surrounded with 10 stars which represents the ten clans of Oroko land, which will be encircled with the wordings Oroko Cultural Association, U.S.A. The National President mentioned that the seal is very urgent and important so that we can start sending out letters for the 2018 Chicago convention. Tata Chief Victor Obie also suggested that a 3-member committee should be created to oversee the convention preparations. Tata Victor Nanje as a public relation’s officer will be one of the member including two other people, one of whom must come from Chicago.

The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m ET

Those who attended this meeting include;
– Iya Dr. Clementine Nanje – National President
– Tata Victor Nanje – Public Relation’s Officer
– Tata Adolphus Ati – Technical Adviser
– Tata Chief Victor Obie – Georgia Chapter President
– Iya Gwendoline Bake – Cultural Secretary
– Tata Paddy Ndole – Former Houston Chapter President
– Tata Dr. Solomon Basame – Executive Adviser
– Tata Burnet Diony – Houston Chapter President
– Iya Naomi Ebile – National Treasurer
– Iya Emilia Mukete – Dallas Chapter First lady
– Tata Mosongo Nanje – Washington D.C Chapter President/ National Vice President
– Iya Caroline Elangwe – National Financial Secretary
– Tata Emmanuel Ikoe – Secretary General

Done by:
Tata Emmanuel Ikoe
Secretary General
OCA-USA