Executive Summary
Upon assuming office in May 2022, this administration committed itself to a mandate of structural reform, inclusive governance, and the preservation of our cultural heritage. I am honored to report that through the collective dedication of the Executive Board and the Council, and especially the Secretary General of AAUSA (Prince Iheanyi Abraham, JP), we have successfully fortified our foundational documents, expanded our membership, and enhanced our physical assets in Arochukwu.
I. Constitutional Reform and Governance: Comprehensive Constitutional Amendments
To ensure our organization operates with modern efficiency and legal clarity, a Constitution Review Committee was empaneled. We extend our gratitude to the members of CRC, Godson Kanu Okereke, Okey Okereke, Prince Iheanyi Abraham, Helen Arizor, Ken Imah, Ivy Nwosu, and Veronica Olugu.
Their rigorous deliberations resulted in a suite of recommendations presented at the 2023 Delegate Conference, where their reviews were formally adopted by a majority vote.
Strategic Appointments
In alignment with the newly ratified constitution, we have filled critical vacancies within our leadership. By unanimous delegate approval, the following individuals were appointed to serve in these categories:
Patrons Board: Mazi Damian Oji, Adamazi Susan Egwuagu, Mazi Oji Kanu, Mazi Charles Onyeador (late), Mazi Emmanuel Nnadozie, and Mazi Aloysius Kanu.
Executive Officers: Secretariat: Adamazi Analechi Otta (Assistant Secretary). Mazi Dr. Godyson Orji (Social Director/Provost).
II. Institutional Advisory Boards
We have established specialized committees to provide to the Executive Board with expert counsel and oversight.
Medical Advisory Committee: Tasked with the management and operational excellence of the AAUSA Clinic. Members include: Dr. Okey Sams Ijomanta, Dr. Kate Ukoha, Adamazi Nnenaya Kanu Okoro, RN.
Legal Advisory Team: Ensuring our activities remain beyond reproach and legally sound.
Members: Adamazi Atty. Helen Arizor, Adamazi Atty, and Sandra Ivuoma Okereke.
III. Umu Aro USA Inc. (Non-Profit Division)
To secure our fiscal future and maintain our 501(c)(3) standing, we have formalized the leadership of our non-profit arm:
Board of Directors: Serving a constitutionally mandated five-year term are Mazi Kanu Okereke, Emmanuel Imah, Ossy Onyeador, Sonny Arokwe, Vivian Iheonye.
Grant Writing Committee: A dedicated three-man team: Emmanuel Imah, Sonny Arokwe, Udoh Anicho
This team is actively identifying diverse funding streams to support our humanitarian missions.
Establishment of Youth, Young Adult Professional, and AAUSA Women Representatives.
In accordance with our constitutional framework, we have formally inaugurated the leadership for the Youth & Young Adult Professionals and the AAUSA Women Representatives.
In a strategic collaboration with our various chapters, each Chapter President has appointed distinguished representatives to the Youth and Young Adults, and the AAUSA Women Representatives. These standing committees are entrusted with the vital mandate of designing and overseeing programming for our Youth, Young Adults, and the AAUSA Women Reps, respectively.
Specifically, the AAUSA Women Representatives are further charged with developing specialized, mission-centric programming during our national conventions. This initiative ensures that our rich cultural traditions are seamlessly passed to the next generation and that our women’s wing continues to serve as a foundational pillar of the AAUSA community, while the YYP designs and adopts a program that suits them as the upcoming generation. We have finalized a framework for our Youth & Young Adult and AAUSA Women Reps to exercise greater autonomy over their activities while reporting to the Executive Board.
IV. Membership and Chapter Relations Growth:
In fulfillment of our campaign promise, we have seen an unprecedented surge in engagement, increasing our national membership from 236 to over 400 active members.
Peace & Unification
In April 2023, we initiated a peace mission to the New York Chapter and the Arochukwu Progressive Association of Dallas-Fort Worth (APA). We are excited today to announce that APA DFW joined All Aro USA this year as our 10th chapter. We hereby proudly welcome Mazi Sir Felix Oti, Chapter President of the Arochukwu Progressive Association, Dallas-Fort Worth, to our national body, and hereby give him our right hand of association and brotherhood.
Furthermore, we have engaged in constructive dialogue with the leadership of Nzuko Aro New York, Connecticut & Delaware, and we remain optimistic as we anticipate their formal response regarding reintegration in due time.
Bereavement Support:
We stood in solidarity with the Dallas, DMV, Southern California, Atlanta, and Houston Chapters during their times of grief, fulfilling our constitutional obligations, following the passing of Adamazi Constance Chukwurah, Dr. Emma Okereke, Mazi Sonny Okereke, Mazi Basil Otti, Mazi Charles Onyeador, and Adamazi Rhoda Kanu (One Minute Silence)
V. Infrastructure and Cultural Assets:
The AAUSA Clinic Revitalization, under the local supervision of Mazi Ike Onu, has completed vital repairs to our facility in Arochukwu, including structural repairs to the entrance stairs, windows, and handicap-accessible ramps. We have also procured new interior furnishings (tables and chairs).
Cultural Preservation: We have transitioned from borrowing to ownership. AAUSA has now purchased our own Isi Ojojo, alongside modern upgrades to men’s cultural regalia, ensuring our heritage is represented with dignity.
VI. Future Initiatives: Our work remains ongoing. In the coming years, AAUSA will be committed to our Clinic Beautification: repainting the facility and paving the entrance driveway, among other projects.
Installing signage honoring the chapters whose contributions built the clinic.
Digital Transformation, updating the AAUSA website, streamlining communication via social media, and refining our Facebook and website group administration.
Sincerely,
Mazi Chris Egeonu Onyeador
(Ugwu Aro)
Executive President, AAUSA
Long Live AAUSA.
Long Live Arochukwu.
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long Live the United States of America.
- Mazi Chris Egeonu Onyeador is the out-going President, All Aro USA (AAUSA)
