ORLU REGIONAL ASSEMBLY USA, INC. (ORAUSA INC.)
23rd NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, USA JUNE 21-25, 2023.
COMMUNIQUE
The 23rd Annual National Convention of Orlu Regional Assembly USA, Inc. (ORAUSA Inc.) was held from June 21stthrough 25th, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. All the 20 activeaffiliates were represented by duly accredited delegates.About 900 people including members, their families and guests from within and outside USA attended the convention.A tour to the World Observatory, and Water taxi ride on the Patapsco River in the Inner harboron WednesdayJune 21stkicked off the Convention for early attendees. On Thursday, June 22nd, members undertook a tour of Washington DC, the Nation’s Capital, visiting points of attraction including the Capitol, the White House surroundings, and the monument of President Abraham Lincoln. Our National President, Chief / Dr. UzoUnegbuformally declared the convention open in a packed, festival-like Cultural Night held on Friday June 23rd.
Convention Activities and Attendance:
The Convention started with a tour of Baltimore Inner Harbor on Wednesday, a Presidential Night hosted by Baltimore affiliate President, Nze Andrew EmekaObiefule for early convention attendees. This was followed by a tour of WashingtonDC on Thursday. The city tour which included a visit to the White House surroundings, the Capitol, and President Abraham Lincoln monument was well attended and received by attendees. The city tour was followed by a picnic featuring refreshment and recreation / sporting activities. On Friday the convention kicked off officially with a meeting of the House of Delegates in the morning and a cultural night in the evening. ORA USA Grand Patron Chief Achike Udenwa (former Governor of Imo State) was in attendance.
The House of Delegatesagreed to continue and improve upon the programs centered towards humanitarian service to the needy in the Homeland (Orlu Senatorial Zone). These are projects to promote healthcare, education, technology, and youth development in the zone; and to encourage programs that will bring diaspora youth into the mainstream of the organization as future leaders.
The major programs and projects include the following:
MEDICAL MISSION: TheORAUSA FreeMedical Missionwill continue to provide needed free health screening and treatmentinall the 12 Local Government Areas in Orlu zone.
ORLU SUMMIT: ORAUSA will continue to hold its Annual Homeland Summit in Orlu in December to provide a platform for exchange of ideas between home-based and diaspora stakeholders.
YOUTH PROGRAMS: The Youth Affairs committee now firmly under the leadership of the youths will continue to receive financial and moral support from ORAUSA.The youth attendees had fun-filled activities at the Convention.
MICRO FINANCE:ORAUSA will continue to empower indigent rural women through the Micro Finance program, championed by ORAUSA women. Recipients and their guarantors are to ensure that the loans continue to revolve.
ORA-PAC: ORAUSA will continue to pursue programs that seek to educate the populace on their rights to participate in choosing the right candidates to provide good governance in a democratic setting as well as engage the government for good governance.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONVENTION:
ELECTION OF NEW ORA USA EXECUTIVES
2023 being election year elections were conducted to elect new Executive Officers to run the affairs of ORA USA for the next two years (2023 – 2025). The newly elected/re-elected officers are:
- President – Chief / Dr. UzoUnegbure-elected.
- Vice President – Prince Charles U. Durure-elected.
- General Secretary – Mazi Augustine Ofoha re – elected.
- General Secretary – Atty. ChinyereAmuzie re-elected.
- Financial Secretary – Dr. Raymond Obinozie.
- Financial Secretary – Dr.Carl Eze Agu.
- Treasurer – Sir FinbarrsOgoh.
- PRO – Princess ChinyereOjinnakare-elected.
- Parliamentarian – Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke.
THE IMO STATE GOVERNOR’SDELEGATION:
One of the high points of the convention was the presence of the Imo State Governor’s delegation ably led by His Royal Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya. The delegation included Hon. Comm. for Agriculture and Natural resources, Chief Cosmas NwabuezeMaduba. and Chief G.G. Iheka. In a well written address delivered with royal panache at the gala night,His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma congratulated members of Orlu Regional Assembly on their 23rd annual convention. He pledged support for our programs back home, and announced the release of ORA USA land in Orlu, with approval of additional plots of land, at no cost to ORA USA. In addition, the Governor announced a handsome financial donation to ORA USA. In his response, ORA USA National President noted that His Excellency’s engagement with ORA USA since he assumed office resonates well with the generality of our members. He promised that ORA USA will partner with the Governor in his efforts to develop Imo State and wished him well in his reelection campaign.
Convention Hosts for 2020 and 2021:
The conventions for 2024 and 2025will be hosted byBoston and New York affiliates, respectively. The convention hosting flag officially passed from Baltimore affiliateto the 2024 hosts, Boston,Massachusetts.
We appreciate everyone who attended thisconvention, and we look forward to the Boston 2024 convention.
Signed
Chief / Dr. UzoUnegbu National President.
Mazi Augustine Ofoha National Secretary.
Princess ChinyereOjinnaka National Public Relations Officer.
Chief Chris Anyaibe ABOD Chairman.
