Back and Next - Back and NextOPA launches constitution
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Owerri People Association of The Gambia, last Sunday, December 14th 2008, launched its constitution, at the premises of St Thereses Lower Basic School in Kanifing.
The occasion which was observed in the form of an end-of-year party for the association, brought together the Owerri People (a tribe from the Igbo land of Nigeria) resident in The Gambia, other Nigerian nationals, senior government officials, students and other dignitaries.
In his introductory remarks, the chairman of the program, Mr Emma Mela, said the Owerri People Association was formed because of the good neighbourhood that The Gambians have accorded them. He pointed that they have never had the atmosphere that they are enjoying here in The Gambia anywhere in the world.
Speaking further, Mr Mela described The Gambia as a nation filled with tranquility and blessed by God, describing the attendance of the program by different people as a sign of brotherhood and unity present in The Gambia.
For his part, the chairman of OPA, M Ken Opera, said the association was formed in 2005, under the leadership of Mr Kevin Anele, and it now has a total membership of about 250.
He remarked that OPA was formed, among other things, to promote unity among Ndi Owerri, promote and sustain the cultural heritage of its people, build a credible image sustained through continuous moral instructions, and liaise with the Nigerian community, Igbo association and other allied associations in The Gambia and the Diaspora in promoting the welfare, culture and traditions of the people of Nigeria. Chairman Ken Opera unveiled that within this short period of the association’s history, remarkable achievements have been recorded.
He stated that they had registered the association with The Gambia government as a charitable organisation, and that on yearly basis, they donate learning materials to designated schools in the country as part of fulfilment of its social responsibility. He also disclosed that the association had initiated a trust fund project which caters for the health needs of its members.
He concluded with an assurance that that they will remain grateful to The Gambia “for providing graciously the enabling environment for us to mutually co-exist.” The program was punctuated by a cultural dance of the Owerri People by the association’s women and display of traditional Owerri foods.
The occasion which was observed in the form of an end-of-year party for the association, brought together the Owerri People (a tribe from the Igbo land of Nigeria) resident in The Gambia, other Nigerian nationals, senior government officials, students and other dignitaries.
In his introductory remarks, the chairman of the program, Mr Emma Mela, said the Owerri People Association was formed because of the good neighbourhood that The Gambians have accorded them. He pointed that they have never had the atmosphere that they are enjoying here in The Gambia anywhere in the world.
Speaking further, Mr Mela described The Gambia as a nation filled with tranquility and blessed by God, describing the attendance of the program by different people as a sign of brotherhood and unity present in The Gambia.
For his part, the chairman of OPA, M Ken Opera, said the association was formed in 2005, under the leadership of Mr Kevin Anele, and it now has a total membership of about 250.
He remarked that OPA was formed, among other things, to promote unity among Ndi Owerri, promote and sustain the cultural heritage of its people, build a credible image sustained through continuous moral instructions, and liaise with the Nigerian community, Igbo association and other allied associations in The Gambia and the Diaspora in promoting the welfare, culture and traditions of the people of Nigeria. Chairman Ken Opera unveiled that within this short period of the association’s history, remarkable achievements have been recorded.
He stated that they had registered the association with The Gambia government as a charitable organisation, and that on yearly basis, they donate learning materials to designated schools in the country as part of fulfilment of its social responsibility. He also disclosed that the association had initiated a trust fund project which caters for the health needs of its members.
He concluded with an assurance that that they will remain grateful to The Gambia “for providing graciously the enabling environment for us to mutually co-exist.” The program was punctuated by a cultural dance of the Owerri People by the association’s women and display of traditional Owerri foods.
Author: by Gibairu Janneh
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