₦airaland Forum

Thank you all for keeping this thread alive and productive.

Indeed keen and objective observers will agree that we are achieving even more than we set out to, based on the quality of thoughts flowing through the minds of various contributors.

Your efforts are commendable.


Other participants should let us have their thoughts on this important aspect of our constitution before we move on to the next phase.

ogugua88: I did make a contribution. You may or may not have been here. I discussed cultural improvement, including language. Beneli touched on that under "Cultural Renaissance". I haven't commented as to how it will be executed because I'm still looking at possible ways for it's implementation, plus I don't think that time has come yet. We have discussed what we want to do, not how. I'm waiting for the "how the aims and objectives will be implemented" part to come along.

For now, I'm reading, because I don't have anything to add, nor I do have anything better than FACE's suggestion.

Ogugua,

Due to the need for detailed planning and tactical advantages of surprises, the methodology of achieving aims and objectives are not usually discussed in the constitution. All options which are not against the laws are will be considered on merit and practical applications by those (officers and committees) entrusted with the pursuit of our Aims and Objectives.

So we will not be discussing detailed methodology in our constitution.

Thank you all for keeping this thread alive and productive.

Indeed keen and objective observers will agree that we are achieving even more than we set out to, base of the quality of thoughts flowing through the minds of various contributors.

Your efforts are commendable.


Other participants should let us have their thoughts on this important aspect of our constitution before we move on to the next phase.

^^^

That's quite thoughtful of you, Face. Thank you.

It appears like many conference members are already weary of the deliberations. Let me urge a rethink by stating that it's important we draw strength from the objectives of this group.

Let me also once again remind us that the quality of final document is directly connected to the quality of thoughts it's formative stage. We are all urged to contribute to this debate as to ensure that several angles and possibilities are examined. Let's also be critical to spot and nip in the bud, potential loopholes and ensure a living document is bequeathed teeming and expectant Umunnas n'Umunnes at the end of the process.

The ball is your court. Let's make more progress...

beneli: I have tried to summarise FACE’s and Eze OnlyTruth’s posts in which they nudged us in the direction of the aims and objectives. I think that this gives us a bit of focus and something to debate . . .

1. Economic renaissance:
i) To act as a lobby group by pushing and applying subtle pressure for economic reforms with a view to pursuing economic revival and infrastructural development in the states of the former Eastern region of Nigeria .

2. Cultural renaissance:
i) To revive the Igbo language and culture as well as defeat other forms of social ills by challenging retrogressive attitudes that amplify the primacy of wealth-acquisition over sound traditional moral values, while celebrating positive role models.

3. Political awareness/empowerment:
i) To make endorsements depending on the political paradigm of the day while retaining our neutrality, non-affiliation and our principle of bringing pressure on misguided political decisions or political office holders.
ii) To help people at the grassroots to become interested and decisive in the choices they make during elections.
iii) To enforce mores and accountability in governance by holding local and national politicians accountable by the use of such tools as the FOI bill etc.

4. Civil Liberty:
i) To ensure that the rights to life, freedom of movement and dignity, of the peoples of the East are upheld, and where there is any suggestion that those rights are being abused, to ensure that the responsible person or persons do not escape justice.

Beneli,

Thanks for the summary. The points in the summary captures the very core of what we stand for and hope that achieve.
I would at this point like conference members to state their comments for the adoption or otherwise of these aims and objectives.

While we get set to discuss:
Article 2: Patrons, Power, Scope and Limitation of the Association

Thank you Eze for setting the ball rolling,

I enjoin other participant to articulate their objectives for this movement especially now that the thorny issue of names and symbols have been dealt with. Let's put some life in this tread. Slow but surely we are making progress.


Over to you umunna.

Let's move on to 'Aims and Objectives'. Time is of essence.

Let's keep the fire burning...

Unless there are further objections, the text below should give an inkling into what the draft of Article 1 should look like.

Draft Constitution of ENYI

Article 1: Name and symbols of the movement

1.1 The name of the movement shall be Eastern Nigeria Youth Initiative(ENYI). The movement shall be hereinafter referred to as “ENYI
1.2 ENYI is located online but shall (eventually) have massive presence in all cities of Eastern Nigeria
1.3 The Motto of the ENYI shall be: 'Reclaiming the future'
1.4 ENYI shall have two slogans
a. ENYI ! Ka anyi bilie!!
b. ENYI ! Reclaiming the future!!
1.5 The Logo of the group shall be an Elephant below a sign of handshake, with an Olive branch connecting the two in semi circles.
1.6 ENYI shall adopt the colours Red and Green as its official colours

Umunna n'umunne ekele m unu 0

Our journey is progressing. So far we have recorded several votes for ENYI, and none for ANYI.

I believe ENYI then is the popular will of the people. So by popular acclamation, I hereby announce 'Eastern Nigeria Youth Initiative (ENYI)' the Name of the movement. The motto shall be - 'Reclaiming the future'

lol,

Whoever is Farcrook's appointed lair lawyer has an a mission impossible task at hand. Knowing how the judiciary works, Farcrook the mam, may survive the criminal prosecution, but Farcrook the politician will not get out of the rubbles.

I say Otedollar 1: 0 Farcrook.

But this is half time!

He (El Rufia)is a National Hypocrite!!

^^

Your vote is noted brother Sam_Ikenna.

Thank you.

Pls let us stop with the cacophony of names. Let's stick with the plan and get this over and done with. The subsisting suggestion is that we VOTE for our choice between two previous names which has been advanced with reasons.

So far only one VOTE has been cast.


Let me reiterate:

In bid to ensure fairness, and to protect the articulate minority from the passive majority, I (the moderator) hereby call for a snap vote between ENYI and ANYI and respective motto and slogan.

The vote will be simple and limited to the conference members who have participated up to the moment.

Specifically, within the next 48 hrs, conference members are to nominate their preference between those two option (ANYI and ENYI) in only three lines.

i.e.

Name: My Chosen Name
Motto: Here I stand
Slogan: Igbo Kwenu! Yaah!!

Please nominate it once and move on. Double nominations risk been nullified. The chosen name will be declared in 48 hours. New conference members are not allowed to participate in this snap vote. We have to deal with the issue once and for all.

At this time we have less than 48 hours to conclude the VOTE. Think deeply, and make up your mind.

I think at this very moment, council members should recess to their inner chamber to confer and make up their mind what they really want for this group.

Umunna, onu nu n'aka.

Thank you for your contributions Eze,

A vote has been recorded in favour of

Eastern Nigeria Youth Initiative (ENYI)


The rest of us should kindly cast their votes within the specified time so that we can move on. It is also important to outline the "Aims and Objectives" of this group properly.

I would appreciate if this is stated in bullet points outlines for readability.

More comments pls...

Wow! Enugu is breath-taking.

Thank you Spyder88 for the wonderful job.

Thank you Beneli for handing the baton over to me. It is good though to allow everyone have their say. I also think that same person repeating same thing over and over again does not necessarily imply the will of the majority.

Having gone through the posts following my last one, I (the moderator) believe that a popular challenge to ENYI is ANYI. Reasons have been advanced so far why the respective names should be adopted, and there are merits to all the reasons. It is also a truism that the 'thinking global' but 'acting locally' suggestion is still very much in tune with majority opinion. But that suggestion applies only to manner of thinking.

However, the motto and slogan has unfortunately been mired in confusion. Let me also remind participants that Motto and Slogan are two different things, let's refer to google for clarification.
In bid to ensure fairness, and to protect the articulate minority from the passive majority, I (the moderator) hereby call for a snap vote between ENYI and ANYI and respective motto and slogan.

The vote will be simple and limited to the conference members who have participated up to the moment.

Specifically, within the next 48 hrs, conference members are to nominate their preference between those two option (ANYI and ENYI) in only three lines.

i.e. Name: My Chosen Name
Motto: Here I stand
Slogan: Igbo Kwenu! Yaah!!

Please nominate it once and move on. Double nominations risk been nullified. The chosen name will be declared in 48 hours. New conference members are not allowed to participate in this snap vote. We have to deal with the issue once and for all.

The floor has since been opened for debate on 'Aims and Objectives' to cement the core pursuit of the movement. Several conference members have given their opinions on this. Nevertheless, more participants are encouraged to have their say on this salient aspect of the constitution.


While the discussions on Aims and Objectives may continue, participants (old and new) should brace for the next phase of the Conference - 'Membership and Eligibility'

He is a thief and a corrupt mega clown!

^^^
I concur

afam4eva: It's really not about the name for me but about the aims and objectives. I have a problem about some people suggesting that the name should be in English so that it will accomodate other ethnicities and won't be an Igbo only thing[b][/b].

That's not entirely correct Afam. The emerging consensus is that we 'think globally, but act locally.' Meaning we get the best possible ideas and implement locally. No one has said or implied that we are interest in Calabar or Rivers etc, yet we should not ignore what happen at our borders to especially to the extent they concern us. Basically, at one point or the other we have to deal with our neighbours direct or indirectly as we pursue our strategic interest. To say we should not be ready for that possiblity is to defeat our purpose before we start.

Let me give an example, if our goals of economic development of Igboland can be aided by a full functional deep sea port behind our back yard, should we say we are not interested in negotiating favorable terms for our people? Should we ignore concessionary terms from none Igbo neighbours simply because we are Igbo focus group? Enyi, ENYI gives us better room to maneuver. In war and peace, don't box yourself to a corner.

This strategy is in line with global best practices. it gives us the leverage to reach wherever we need to get what we want. Besides, it is not enough to simply refuse an idea or suggestion, giving alternative sellable idea is also important.

And as roundly said, the Aims and Objectives is where I expect to see positive reaction from you and others. That is where the core of the organisation focus is.

Let us therefore devote our energy and attention to this core task.

Dalu nu.

We are trying to build a consensus, but in the end the idea here is to carry majority along. if we cannot get beyond name to substance, how can we move forward.

Thank you Eze OnlyTruth for your kind words and your incisive input.

@Dudu_Negro, your opinion and suggestion are also noted. Thank you.

@All conference participants,
We are at the core of the debate. The part we could very well call substantive. Our Aims and Objectives is the 'who and what' we are as a group. What we set out to achieve in the long term and short term are best articulated here.

Let's come up with ideas and suggestions. Let keep it flowing, and please let's keep our heads cool. The floor (or thread) is still open.

jason123: And why can't an Igbo man carry a bomb?! Are they saints or angels or perhaps, demi-gods?

We all witnessed an Ibibio man carry bomb, no wahala. A Yoruba man, no wahala; infact, the SW was grouped with the extremist north. A Middle-beltan, no shaking; after all they are from the so called north with the H/F as their masters. So why the eff can't an explosive be found on an Igbo man without your likes sprouting all over the internet like infected dogs?

El Rufia was caught lying several times and this stupidity of a post is all you can come up with.

Why don't you wait until an Igboman actually carry a bomb before exposing your phobia and idiocy?

Delafruita: you have a serious case of dementia.what crime has el-rufai committed?

Your question sound like you perhaps suffer from selective amnesia if you actually followed El Rufia political career.

As we shift our attention and energy to Aims and Objectives, let's me remind us that out there exist scores of different Igbo groups. Some are socio-cultural, other are political.

I doubt we seek to be like them or replicate their system. I might be wrong, but I see this fledging group metamorphosing into an agent for economic and infrastructural development of Igboland. Our recourse to politicking should be where it obvious that politicking is the right channel to ensure, economic and infrastructural growth.

Hence, our priority should be pursuing infrastructure that ensure radical economic growth and transformation of our land on one hand while also pursing social cultural rebirth.

Let the debate on 'Aim and Objectives' begin...

@Metalgoong

Your concern has been noted and like earlier said will be considered in the draft.

Let me remind us again that we are yet to discuss 'Aims and Objective', so all prior discussion on bordering on that items will be viewed as side talk.

The strategic merits of ENYI so far hold it ground against the demerits. This is in view of the fact that no other symbolic and acceptable name proffered has been seriously promoted, least of all debated. Furthermore, the substantive issues are not name and symbols, but aims and objective, and also methodology.

On this note, ENYI yet stands. The battle-line between the old order (Elephant) and the rebirth (Phoenix) is inconclusive. However that handshake beneath those enigmatic animals appears indispensable notwithstanding the emergent logo.

Due to the unavailability of a different motto - 'Reclaiming the future' hold sway. Somehow, I suppose this motto is both 'Phoenix' and 'Elephant' compatible.

Our slogan could look like this:

ENYI...
... Reclaiming the future!

The floor is now opened for formal discussion of Aims and Objectives of the group.

'Aims and Objectives' is part and parcel of Article One of the Constitution.

Let's move forward. Aims and Objectives is open for debate. Suggestion on inconclusive issue of slogan, and logo will also be taken.


Let roll...

El Rufia is a dangerous man who unfortunately has too much time on his hands.

I think the FG should gainfully employ him in one of the Maximum Prisons around the country. Let's not forget in a hurry that the lunatic has a pending case of impropriety and corruption allegation from his time as FCT minister still hanging on his neck.

It's time he visited the courts again - the thief!

Promoting those soldiers have both tactical and strategic implications.


Good one COAS; keep those boys professional and happy, let them stay away from politics.

Let's take a deep breath and relax a little. Nothing has been concluded yet, even though some ideas are strongly being considered.

Name and symbols are just one of the many items to be discussed, the substantive issues are yet to be touched.

At the moment ENYI (friend and elephant) as espoused by Eze is looking very promising.

But like I said nothing is concluded yet, so anyone with better suggestions should feel free to make them.

Umunna na Umunne m, Ekele m unu ,



As you are aware last December, we took a historic step towards unifying and promoting our peculiar interest by electing an Eze.
The important step led to the birth of Eze Ndi Igbo 1, of Nairaland - Onlytruth, ndu di n'eziokwu 1 of Igboland, Eze Ndigbo Nairaland.

Within his first week in office, Eze OnlyTruth, assembled his cabinet and has since never looked back. Those who have followed development since would agree that his impact has been roundly felt in his this portfolio.

However, the need for continuity, preservation, and to some extent legitimacy has informed the need for us to (re)write the rules. On this note, I enjoin my brethren, allies, and friends of Igbo to join us as we embark on Premier Nairaland Constitution Conference. Let us set the rule for our group, empower it, and use it to launch serious offensive against our politicians whose kleptomania, corruptions, and incompetence rob us and our allies our legitimate dividend of democracy and one Nigeria.

To make this process more productive, the time table below shall guide us:


We have started this process since Friday (8.00 GMT or thereabout?)

Bolow are the guidelines

Day 0. We sensitive members tomorrow and establish the ground rules for the constitution drafting.
Day 1. Article 1: Name, and symbol(s) (including color) (pls bear in mind that we prefer name acceptable to our allies especially from SS)
Day 2: Article 1 continued: Aims, Objectives, and Affiliation(s) of the Association
Day 3: Article 2: Patrons, Power, Scope and Limitation of the Association
Day 4: Article 3: Membership and Eligibility
Day 5: Article 4: Officer, Cabinet Members and responsibilities
Day 6: Article 5: Meetings and Quorom
Day 7: Article 6: Terms of Office and Elections, Removal from office
Day 8: Article 7: Hand-Over Process and Continuity
Day 9 Article 8: Finance ?
Day 10: Article 9: Amendment of Constitution
Day 11: Article 10: Dissolution
Day 12: Debate closes collation begins,

Should you wish to assist in moderation and collation of the debates, kindly inform me on this thread. The plan is to keep the debate on this thread, however, we may create another thread if necessary. Time is of essence.

The Pre Nairaland Constitution Conference debate is hereby now open.

Shall we begin?

Please visit our Parliamentary Office below to make your contribution:
https://www.nairaland.com/934808/eze-ndi-igbo-parliamentary-office/10#11262078

At this rate, Lagosians have the right to demand Tax refund from the Tinubu/Fashola administration.

No one can point with confidence any standard local road in Lagos; na wa oo!

beneli: The slogan is brilliant, Eze!

With regards to the Logo, I think that in order not to make the image too cluttered or too distracting, limiting it to two symbols would be good enough. I also think that the ‘elephant’ and the ‘handshake’ would be a natural choice, if the consensus is to go with the acronym ‘Enyi’.

For the colours, the green and red remain most significant when we reflect on the meaning of those colours - Red is not only the colour of the earth and of passion. It is also the colour of the blood that unites us all. Red is also the colour of strength. Green is the colour of Life. In the Pan African flag and even in the Nigerian flag, green was chosen because it also denotes abundant natural wealth . . .

I vote for Red and Green . . .

I like Eze's slogan myself. However, I am still open to more slogans, who know something else much better might come one. The red, and green is 'adopted' as their appears no other challenger colour-wise.

Thing are taking shape; slow but steady, we are taking off!

More... ( I be Oliver Twist... )

afam4eva: I like the way things are taking shape around here and i must comment everyone for a job well done. Now let me re-iterate what i said earlier. "Let this group focus on Igbos and Igbos alone and not even the people that deny being Igbo". This is not an eastern movement but an IGBO movement, so it will be nice for it to carry either an Igbo name or slogan. There's nothing wrong in it being an Igbo only group for the next two hundred years but doesn't mean we won't be open to working with other groups in easter Nigeria. Let's save our arse first before exibiting the one-Nigeria syndrome that has gotten us to the level we are today.

Igbo Mmamanu

I appreciate your comment Afam,
Indeed what we are aiming for is an Igbo group, and like you said it can remain an Igbo group for a thousand years without it being a problem. However, it is important to know that we are also trying to give opportunities to several conference members to air their views and make their contributions. Every opinion expressed so far matters a lot, and will be integral in the final draft.

Specifically, there is nothing wrong with the 'Eastern' in our name, on the contrary, it connotes Igbo in the Nigeria context and it is also forward looking. The operating principle in the suggested 'ENYI' is - strategy! A long term view of the challenge, not an immediate one. The substantive focus of the group will be debated when we approached 'Objectives', 'Power and Scope', and 'Membership'.

Hapu ihe e dere n'ugbo, ba ye n'ugbo. (Leave the inscriptions on the bus, and board)

We are in the third day of the Constitution Drafting; let's keep the ideas flowing. Let's invite other Igbos poster from other section of Nairaland, and other online forum to make this inputs.

Let's keep the ideas coming...