NOW THAT THE CONSTITUTION IS READY WE BLESS GOD FOR THE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY THAT REIGN IN IDOANI AND ON THIS FORUM. I THANK EVERYONE, AND IN SPECIFIC TERMS, MR STEVE BAYODE WHO TOOK IT UPON HIMSELF TO GAVE US A DRAFT AND OUR LORD BISHOP OLUKOLADE WHO WORKED RELENTLESSLY MAKING SURE THAT THE BOAT WAS NOT ROCKED . I APPLAUD THE EFFORT OF MR SUNKANMI OLAPEJU AND HIS TEAM FOR COORDINATING THE THE DRAFT. OBVIOUSLY , THERE IS ONE MAJOR LESSON TO BE LEARNED . WHENEVER THERE IS CHAOS WE ALL LOOSE . MEANING PROGRESS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED UNDER THE ATMOSPHERE OF PEACE AND THAT IS WHY THERE IS PEACE TABLE . LIKE ANY OTHER CONSTITUTIONS WHICH IS A DECLARATION TO BE GOVERNED BY RULES, TWO THINGS THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED , NAMELY, THE RULES ITSELF AND ENCOURAGING US TO FORM CELL GROUPS IN VARIOUS TOWNS AND CITIES TO MAKE US FUNCTIONAL AND VISIBLE. IT IS ON THESE BASIS I PRESENT TO YOU THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION FOR THE MODALITIES, RATIFICATION OR OTHERWISE . AS IT IS, THERE ARE THREE MAJOR OPTIONS AVAILABLE; 1. ACCEPTANCE 2. REJECTION 3. FUTHER REVIEW I PRESENT THE OPTIONS BEFORE YOU TODAY. PLEASE CHOOSE MAY GOD BLESS OUR UNION. THE REVIEWED CONSTITUTION OF THE IDOANI DESCENDANTS FORUM. Methodology. The review essentially adopted consensus on views and objections earlier raised by members on a thread where the draft constitution was unveiled on Idoani descendants Facebook page . Reviews and Rationales. 1. Article 4. 4(iii) was modified; 4(iv) was inserted;and the provision previously in 4(iv) was brought to 4(v). The prerequisite for membership by residence was so reviewed and expanded from being born or resided at idoani,at least three years, to allow consistency with the provision of the Nigerian constitution on naturalisation ,and ultimately to ensure reasonable time and characters that can suffice in convincingly assuring members of attachment, loyalty, and confidentiality trust of non- indigenes applying to be members. 2. Article 8. Central Executive Committee replaces National Executive Committee as the word National does not reflect the international scope of the forum. Central replaces National in every other article where National Executive Committee is written. 3. Article 8(ii). Chairman replaces President as head of local chapters. This is to entrench a unity of command and avoid schism, that may arise from the arrogance of nomenclature in the future. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE IDOANI DESCENDANTS FORUM. ARTICLE 1. NAME. The group, hereinafter, refered to as The Forum, shall be known, called and addressed as THE IDOANI DESCENDANTS FORUM. ARTICLE 2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. i. To promote and encourage close relationship between Idoani Communities and its indigenes worldwide. ii. To initiate and execute programmes and, or activities designed to raise funds for the development of the Forum and or the Communities. iii. To provide general and specific assistance to its members and the community. iv. To serve as a model to all inhabitants of the communities. v. To sustain, improve and enhance the standard, prestige and good name of Idoani and its indigenes. ARTICLE 3. HEADQUARTERS. The Headquarters of the Forum shall be situated at Idoani, Nigeria. ARTICLE 4. MEMBERSHIP. Membership of the Forum shall be opened to : i. every direct descendant of Idoani, irrespective of age, political or religious affiliation. ii. people by marriage, to a direct son or daughter of Idoani. iii. people by birth and residence. Having certified born or resided at Ido Ani for, at least fifteen years,or resided in Idoani for a period of twelve months, and during the period of twenty years immediately preceding that period of twelve months has resided in idoani for periods amounting in aggregate to not less than fifteen years. and having identified with any of the six quarters of Iyayu, Amusigbo, Ako, Owani, Isewa and Isure of the Idoani community. Iv He is a person who has made or is capable of making useful contribution to the advancement,progress,and wellbeing of Idoani V. all persons on whom the Associate or Honourary Membership of the Union is confered. ARTICLE 5. SUBSCRIPTION : a. every member shall : i. pay annual and meeting dues to their Chapters or Units as may be determined by the Forum at a time. ii. if subject to Article 4 ii- iv, pay their annual due before full membership is granted. iii pay special levies for specific project as the need arise . b. every Chapter shall pay annual due or levies to the Headquarters and ditto the Units. c. (i). subject to (A) and (B) above, annual dues and meeting dues shall be same everywhere, that is, as prescribed by the Executive Council of the Forum. Levies and other contributions may differ for reasons, (ii). notwithstanding the above, all financial activities are subject to regulation by the Headquarters. ARTICLE 6. CHAPTERS AND UNITS. i. a Chapter of the Forum shall exist in each capital of the state of the Federation. ii. Units of the Forum shall exist at LGAs and, or any location where, at least, twenty (20) members reside. iii. all Chapters shall be responsible to the Headquarters ditto all Units to their Chapters. iv. international chapters (outside) Nigeria shall exist by nations. v. whereof, every chapter shall duely apply in writing to and be certified by the Headquarters before it can exist : ditto units to chapters. vi Chapters and Units shall run their activities in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. ARTICLE 7. REGISTRATION. i. Chapters shall register with the Headquarters with a fee of N10,000 ditto international chapter while the Units with Chapters for N5,000. ii. individual membership does not attract fee. ARTICLE 8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE There shall be elected for a period of three (3) years the following officers who shall be members of the Executive Committee herein referred to as the Central Executive Committee: i. Central President. ii. Central 1st Vice President. iii. Central 2nd Vice President. iv.Central General Secretary. v. Central Assistant General Secretary. vi. Central Treasurer vii. Central Financial Secretary viii. Central Publicity Secretary ix. Central Social Secretary x. Central Internal Auditor I xi. Central Internal Auditor II xii. Central Ex-Officio I xiii. Central -Officio II (2) CHAPTERS OFFICERS Officers in the Chapters and Units shall be elected in conformity with the above positions ,except for the head, which shall be referred to as Chairman. ARTICLE 9. DUTIES OF CENTRAL OFFICERS (i)The Central President shall: (a) Be the head of the Association; (b) Preside at the Executive Committee meetings and congresses; (c) through the General Secretary convene meetings; (d) Be the principal signatory to the Associations accounts; (e) Be the official Forum nominee on any engagement that involves the forum. (ii) The 1st Central Vice President shall: (a) In the absence of the President perform all the duties of the President and such other duties that may be assigned to him by the President or the Executive Committee (b) Be the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Association. (iii) The 2nd Vice President shall: (a) In the absence of the President and the 1st Vice President perform all the duties of the President, and such other duties as may be assigned to him by the President; (b) Be the Chairman of the Project Committee; (c) Be the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Association. (iv) The General Secretary shall: (a) keep all the records of the Forums activities and meetings; (b) Be responsible for convening meetings on the advice of the President and act as the Chief Correspondent of the Forum; (c) Prepare and present an annual report of the Forum activities to Congress; (d) Supervise all activities of the Forums Secretariat. (v) The Assistant General Secretary shall: (a) Assist the General Secretary in the execution of his functions; (b) In conjunction with the Secretary, keep records of the minutes of the Forums meetings. (c) In the absence of the General Secretary, perform all the duties of the General Secretary and any other function as may be assigned to him by the General Secretary or the President. (vi) The Treasurer shall: (a) receive all monies belonging to the Forum from the Financial Secretary or other sources and deposit all such monies with the Forums Bankers within 24 hours of such receipts; (b) keep a record of all monies received, deposited or withdrawn on behalf of the Forum; (c) submit a quarterly statement of accounts of the Forum to the Executive Committee. (d) Be one of the signatories to the Forums accounts. (vii) The Financial Secretary shall: (a) encourage members to pay and serve as collector of their dues and levies; (b) collect all monies due to the Forum and forward them to the Treasurer within 48 hours of such collection; (c) Issue receipts for monies collected; (d) Be the Secretary to the Finance Committee of the Forum; (e) Prepare a financial statement of the Forums accounts; (f) Provide necessary assistance on request to the External Auditor. (viii) The Publicity Secretary shall: (a) liaise between the Forum, the Community and the public; (b) assist in the organisation of social activities of the Forum; (c) Give adequate publicity to the Forums activities; (d) Be the Chairman of the Editorial Board; (e) Be responsible for all publications of the Forum (ix) The Social Secretary shall: (a) Organise all social activities of the Forum (b) Perform any other function that may be assigned to him by the President, or the Executive Committee. (i)The Internal Auditors shall: (a) Check all the financial records of the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer and present a report on this to the Executive Committee. (b) Submit a written report of their findings to the Forum. The report shall be read, debated, adopted or rejected by the Executive Council. (c) Be a member of the Finance Committee of the Association. ARTICLE 8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE There shall be elected for a period of three (3) years the following officers who shall be members of the Executive Committee herein referred to as the Central Executive Committee: i. Central President. ii. Central 1st Vice President. iii. Central 2nd Vice President. iv.Central General Secretary. v. Central Assistant General Secretary. vi. Central Treasurer vii. Central Financial Secretary viii. Central Publicity Secretary ix. Central Social Secretary x. Central Internal Auditor I xi. Central Internal Auditorll ARTICLE 10. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. There shall be an Executive Council of the Forum (herein after referred to as the Council) which shall be made up of: (i) All the members of the Executive Committee; (ii)The Chairmen of the Chapters or their representatives; (iii) Five ex-officio members to be elected by the Forum on three years tenure. (iv) Four members to be nominated from the Elders committee (v) Past Presidents of the Forum, unless impeached. ARTICLE 11. POWERS OF THE COUNCIL The Council shall have power to; (a) Take decisions on all matters affecting the Forum; (b) Act for the Forum on matters requiring decisions between the Forum and the government or the community. (d) Nominate such person(s) that will represent the Forum in any of the Committees set up by the parties mentioned. ARTICLE 12. TENURE OF OFFICE - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (i) Each officer shall hold office for three(3) years but shall be eligible for a re-election to the same or another office provided that an officer shall not hold an office for more than THREE terms. (ii) An officer found guilty of misconduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Forum shall be relieved of hhis office by two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Executive Committee, after having been tried by the Disciplinary Committee. (iii)An officer may voluntarily resign his office by giving notice in writing to the Executive Council through the President. ARTICLE 13. ELECTION OF OFFICERS (i) Election into offices of the Executive Council shall be held at the Forums Headquarters, on its Facebook or at a General Congress fixed at each Chapter State Capital and Unit HQ. (ii) Each Member of the Forum is eligible to vote and be voted for. (iii) Election shall be by a simple majority of accredited delegates. (v) Elections shall be secret ballot to be formulated by the electoral body to be appointed by the Executive Council for that purpose. ARTICLE 14. MEETINGS (i) The Executive Committee shall meet at least once in a quarter either at the Headquarters of the Forum, by phone conference, on the Forums Facebook page or through any other forum. (ii) The Executive Council shall meet, at least, yearly. (iii) Emergency meetings of either the Executive Committee, Council or Congress shall be summoned with the consent of at least five members of the Exco. (iv) Quorum at an Executive Committee meeting shall be five of whom one must always be the President; (v) The quorum at the Executive Council shall be one-quarter (1/4) of the acknowledge Members. ARTICLE 15. FINANCES (i)The financial year of the Forum shall begin from March to April, of the year, (ii) The Forums finances shall include subscriptions, donations, contributions, special levies, gifts and endowment. (iii) The Forum shall bank with a reputable Bank (having a Branch in Idoani). It must be appointed by the Executive Committee. (iv)The signatories to the Forums accounts shall be: The President, The General Secretary, and The Tresurer. (v) Any two of the signatories shall be competent to operate the Forums accounts provided that the President shall be one of them. ARTICLE 16. EXTERNAL AUDITORS (i) Executive Council shall appoint a firm of auditors to audit its accounts, (ii) The auditors remuneration shall be fixed by the Executive Council, (iii) The auditors shall present a written report to the Executive Council. ARTICLE 17. DISCIPLINE. Any member who is adjudged by the Disciplinary Committee to have committed an act of misconduct (as will be spelt out by the committee and adopted by the Forum) may be disciplined accordingly or perhaps barred from further participation in the Forums activities depending on the gravity of his offence while further defiance may lead to expulsion from the Forum. ARTICLE 18. ETHICS COMMITTEE There shall be an Ethics Committee of five (5) members appointed by the Executive Council with the responsibility of looking into complaint(s) against any member of the Forum and make recommendations to the Executive Council. ARTICLE 19. STANDING COMMITTEE The Executive Committee shall have powers to set up Committees and Sub-committees for any purpose whatsoever Sub committees shall consist of members not exceeding seven (7). Such Committees include: (i) EDUCATION COMMITTEE Shall decide the indigenes to be awarded prizes, educational support and scholarships for students and Shall also determine any educational work to be promoted by the Forum (ii) SOCIAL COMMITTEE Shall organise activities such as dinners, dances, Carnivals, lectures and debates. (iii) PROJECT COMMITTEE (a) Shall initiate project to be promoted or supported by the Forum, or that to be supported through members personal projects. (b) Determine cost implication of projects and source of funding (c) To determine the level of support to be given to members (personal) project. (d) To come up with members participatory role in projects, and design incentives for membership participation on projects. ARTICLE 20. TRUSTEES AND COMMON SEAL (i) The Trustees of The IDOANI DESCENDANTS Forum, for the purpose of the Companies & Allied Matters Act of 1990 Part C shall be appointed, amongst whom shall be the OBA of Idoani by the Executive Council charged with the responsibility of selecting the Trustees; (ji) Such Trustees hereinafter referred to as the Trustees shall be in minimum of ten (10) in number, and shall be known as THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE IDOANI DESCENDANTS FORUM. (iii) a Trustee shall hold office for seven (7) years, but a Trustees shall cease to hold office if he: (a) resigns his office; (b) dies; (c) becomes insane; (d) is officially declared bankrupt: (e) convicted of a criminal offence by a court of competent jurisdiction; (f) is recommended for removal from office by the Board of Trustees or by majority vote of members present at any General Congress of The Idoani Descendant Forum, or (g) ceases to reside in Nigeria. (iv) upon a vacancy occuring in the number of Trustees, a meeting of the General Congress shall be held to appoint another eligible member, (v)The Trustees shall have a Common Seal; (vi) Such Common Seal shall be kept in custody of the President who shall produce it when required for use by the Trustees. (vii) All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by each of them and sealed with the Common-Seal. (viii) The Trustees shall apply to the Registrar-General for Certificate of Incorporation under Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 Chapter 98. (ix) If such Certificate is granted, the Trustees shall have power to accept and hold in trust, all land belonging to the Forum and to acquire land on behalf of the forum, subject to such condition(s) as the Minister may impose. ARTICLE 21. CONGRESS There shall be a General Congress of the Forum which shall meet at least once in a year at Idoani or the state capital. (ii) Each member of the Forum shall be free to attend the Congress. (iii)The Congress shall: receive and deliberate on the Management Report, Financial Report, annual Reports of Branches; and (iv) deliberate on the reports of all other Officers and Committees; (v) deliberate on the activities of the Forum and/or the welfare of the community in general; (vi) carry out social activities (CARNIVAL) planned for such Congress by the Executive Committee; (vii) Appoint the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum. ARTICLE 22. ANNUAL REPORTS The President, General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary and Auditors of the Association shall give annual reports of their offices at Congress. Such reports shall be debated by members and shall be subject to approval or rejection thereon. ARTICLE 23. LEGAL ADVISER (i)There shall be a Legal Adviser appointed by the Executive Council whose remunerations (if none member) and duration of appointment shall be spelt out by the Council, (ii) The function of the Legal Adviser shall include: (a) Giving Legal advice to the forum (b) Drafting and/or scrutinising all documents involving the Forum. ARTICLE 24. AMENDMENT (i) No amendment to this Constitution shall be made unless upon a resolution passed by, at least, two thirds (2/3) majority of the Congress at which such amendment is tabled; (ii) NOTICE of such motion seeking to amend the Constitution shall be forwarded to the General Secretary, at least, two (2) months before the date of Congress; (ii) The General Secretary shall ensure that such notice of motion is received or posted to members, at least, two (2) weeks before the date of Congress. ARTICLE 25. INTERPRETATION. (i)Forum means the entire membership of Idoani Descendant on Facebook. (ii)Development of the Community includes Scholarship Awards, Research Schemes, Building or other Capital Projects that may be of benefit to Idoani town and community. (iii) All reference to persons in the masculine gender covers the feminine gender. ARTICLE 26. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (i)Meaning: Where there is an ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or section in this Constitution, the relevant body or Committee concerned shall meet and discuss to give the proper meaning. In case of inability to give a decision, the Chairman or Presiding Officer at the meeting shall have the right to give the proper meaning of the word or section. (ii)Winding Up: (a) The Forum shall be dissolved and wound up by a motion in that respect being presented at Congress and supported by not less than two thirds (2/3) majority votes. (b) In the event of the winding up of the Forum, the remains of the credit and assets of the Forum shall, after the settlement of all the debts and liabilities of the Forum be given or transferred to the Oba of Idoani for the Palace upkeep. (C) Where effect cannot be given to the provision of (b) above, the Forum being wound up shall apply the remains of its assets to charitable objects. (iii) SPECIAL CLAUSE: THE INCOME AND PROPERTY OF THE IDOANI DESCENDANT FORUM whomsoever derived shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the Forum as set forth in this CONSTITUTION: and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus, or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the IDOANI otherwise FORUM PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment, in good faith or reasonable and proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the Forum in return for any service actually rendered to the Forum but so that no member of the Executive Committee of Management or Coincil shall be appointed to any salaried office of the Forum or any office of the Forum paid by fees: and that no remuneration or other benefit in money or money shall be given by THE IDOANI DESCENDANTS FORUM to any member of such Executive Committee or Council except repayment of out-of-pocket expenses or reasonable and proper rent for premises demised, or let to the Forum provided that the provision last aforesaid shall not apply to any payment of any Company to member of the Forum may be Company in which such member shall not hold more than one hundredth part of the Capital, and such member shall not be bound to account for any share of profits he may receive in respect of any such payment. NO ADDITION, alteration, or amendment shall be made to or in the CONSTITUTION for the time being in force, unless the same have been previously submitted to and approved by the minister. In the event of a winding up or dissolution of the Association there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Forum but shall be given or transferred to the Oba, Alani of Idoani. The Oba is prohibited from distributing its or their income and property amongst its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Forum under or by virtue of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, and if in so far as effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision, then to some charitable object.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:30:14 +0000
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