The attendees witnessed vigorous convention activities culminating with the change of guard of Dr. Ik Ofomata’s led executive to the executive under the new president, Julian Anigbogu.
The Nnewi Crown Prince, Barrister Obi Orizu, graced the occasion in a dual capacity, both as a representative of HRH Igwe Nnewi, and the keynote speaker at the convention.
Vision Newspapers reproduce Udoka Jay Odunukwe’s summarized sequence of events. Odunukwe Esq. is the host chapter president.
I seize this opportunity to extend a Heartfelt Thank you to all NUSA and Nnewi Indigenes who made out time to attend and participate in the just concluded 25th Annual NUSA National Convention in Boston Massachusetts.
By all standards it was an impactful and successful convention. The abbreviated one full day Convention (as a result of Covid-19) saw the solidification of NUSA, the emergence of a new administration, the return of some erstwhile core NUSA members who for one reason or the other had stayed on the sidelines, the return of a NUSA chapter that had been absent from NUSA affairs for several years.
The just concluded NUSA Convention in Boston left no doubt that NUSA is here to stay, stronger, laser focused and committed.
Some Highlights:
On the evening of Friday July 1, 2022, NPUM Boston welcomed NUSA to the great state of Massachusetts at the Emerson Hall. The NPUM President Udoka Jay Odunukwe, Esq. welcomed NUSA to Boston. Dr. Ike Ofomata thanked Boston for welcoming and hosting NUSA and went though the agenda of what is to come the following day Saturday. Registration continued thoughout Friday afternoon into late in the evening. NUSA was then ushered upstairs to suite 366 for a delicious catered feast with assorted drinks hot and cold including VSOP Hennessy courtesy exclusively of NPUM.
On Saturday July 2, 2022, NUSA business began in earnest at 9:30AM when the national planning committee chairman Sir Chinelo Ejimbe called the convention to order. The opening prayer was said by Mrs. Lizzy Nwosu the dynamic NPUM Vice President. After the presentation of kola nuts by NPUM Boston, the convention took off in full speed.
Highlights of the Saturday activities include the state of NUSA address by the outgoing NUSA president Dr. Ike Ofomata, presentation and adoption of the minutes of the last NUSA convention in Dallas TX, Welcome address by Host chapter President Udoka Jay Odunukwe and presentation of chapter reports.
After lunch, Engineer Chike Odunukwe made a solid and thought provoking presentation on erosion control. The presentation which was originally slotted for 20 minutes lasted more than double the time slot as there were close to a dozen very interesting questions raised by the captive audience. It was quite and interesting and uplifting exchange. Carefully intertwined were suggestions on how and ways NUSA could be more impactful in Nnewi. Overall it was a great presentation and good question and answer session.
The Multi purpose Center building committee Chairman then made a great and purposeful presentation and call for contributions and pledges towards the project. The pledges and contributions made was instant testimony and confirmation of a newly energized NUSA. Led by Boston, the Fundraising committee received approximately $25,000 or thereabouts in new contributions and pledges.
Dr. Ofomata then presented the NUSA presidential awards to deserving members of NUSA for their contributions to NUSA.
The Crown Prince Obi Orizu was the Keynote Speaker. I must seize this opportunity to extend Boston’s warmest greetings to our Crown Prince for the great personal sacrifice he made in speaking at both the town hall session and at the gala night session. He did not disappoint. He made an insightful and informative presentation regarding the security situation in Anambra State and in Nnewi and the current efforts by the current state governor and other stakeholders to checkmate the situation. He highlighted the current progress being made.
Before the day events concluded, the election of the new NUSA executive was held. The Ofomata led administration was dissolved and an electoral committee was formed. The very smooth, transparent and clean election saw the elevation of
Julian Anigbogu as the new NUSA President. The Ofomata administration left a solid template for the new administration. It is our prayers and belief that the new Anigbogu administration will lead NUSA to new heights.
The gala night slated to start at 8:00pm started a bit late. Invited guests started arriving even before 8:00pm. By 9:00pm, start of dinner, the hall was close to full capacity. A mix of young professionals and seasoned Igbo men and women had already taken their seats. The mood was upbeat. Post Covid, it was an impressive turnout especially considering that there were two other major events within the Igbo community taking place in Boston at the same time. (Another town in Anambra State was also having their national convention in Boston the same time as NUSA).
The gala night was chaired by the first President of NPUM and distinguished son of Nnewi in the person of Mr. Ben Azotam. Also seated at the high table – The Crown Prince who gave the Keynote address. Dr. Ofomata, Dr. Grace Odunukwe-Anosike, Chief Nathan Momah amongst others.
The night went very well with sweet spins by the young DJ which kept the dance floor busy. The NPUM women also performed their women dance.
There were some fundraising intervals, some money was raised from the invited guests and some we could not get to before they left for other functions also happening in town.
Later in the evening there was an energetic masquerade performance with a combination of live drums and prerecorded music. By this time many of the guests had left to hurry to other functions in town on the very busy July 2 night in Boston. The masquerade performance would have been a showstopper had the performance happened earlier when the guests were in full effect and would have pulled in a lot of $ in spread $$$. Nevertheless, it was spectacular. Even the Caucasian and other hotel guests filled the halls to cheer and snap pictures as the masquerade and its entourage majestically walked the long hallways from its dressing room to the gala night ballroom and back.
The youthful DJ kept the crowd entertained and on their feet till the end. The end came at 1:00AM when the night have to come to an end per state law. It was a memorable evening. Overall it was a great convention and even a greater night for NUSA.
I urge those NUSA members who for one reason or the other could not attend, still to make a donation to be counted towards the 2022 NUSA Convention. The collection plate is still open. It is still open. Donations are still being accepted. Donations can also be made via NUSA Zelle or CashApp and other methods towards the 2022 NUSA convention.
This was a great Convention. Nnewi Kwenu! Nnewi Kwenu!! Nnewi Kwezuenu!!!.
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