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Great people in the house, good day.
Your Association, the Okun Development Association, is potentially, a very potent tool for social, political and economic development of our land, complimenting the efforts of other institutions and individuals. If the Association continues to exist and function as it currently does, this potential will remain just that, potential.
The ODA Executive deliberated extensively on this and we have come to one conclusion- there is an urgent need for some reforms if this potential must be transformed into impactful benefits to our people. We have decided, in line with the mandate you gave to us, to initiate these reforms in phases.
The first phase will focus on two key areas.
1) Branch Development, and
2) Affiliation of other Okun-related Associations.
1. Branch Development:
The strength of most associations like ours is derived from the robustness and vibrancy of their branches. Except for cities like Lagos and a few state capitals, many indigenes of most other cities, towns and villages move out of their places of origin to other more suitably blessed locations to pursue opportunities in a career, a calling or in entrepreneurship. These opportunities, in many cases, provide them stronger economic empowerment than if they had remained back home. The coming together of such individuals under one association or club have historically served as a very reliable source of funding development initiatives back home. This is already happening in many communities of Okunland. We now need to take it to another level where Okun as a whole can benefit from.
This is why in the weeks and months ahead, attention will be shifted to restructuring and reorganising ODA branches with a view to making them stronger and more aligned to the goals and aspirations of our people both at home and in the diaspora. Pls note that no matter how passionate the National Executive is in evolving a more effective ODA, it can only do as much as the branches support it to accomplish. Therefore the intended reforms can better be effectively carried out by the branches. The National Executive will only provide guidelines and supervision that will promote democratic ideals and inclusiveness. This is one of the reasons why our constitution provides for three ODA Vice Presidents, one for the South, one for the North and one for Home. We want to explore the full benefits in this arrangement for the good of our people.
Some more details on the branch reform will be announced as we progress on implementing the reform agenda.
2. Affiliation of other Okun related Associations:
The second area of the reform relates to how we can leverage on the potential strengths and reach of the numerous other associations that have their roots in Okunland in the sense that they are promoted by Okun people. A good example is the Okun Development Initiative (ODI). There are many such others like ODI. If we truly desire an ODA that will be sought after and consulted on critical National and State matters, it is only logical that we seek for mutual enhancement through encouraging such other associations to get officially affiliated to the ODA. Such affiliation will promote better understanding and resource sharing to the benefit of all. Good enough, this will address the concerns that some of such associations have already expressed to the ODA.
Towards making this effective, the National Executive has approved the following standards of affiliation for any of association that wishes to affiliate with the ODA-
Gold
Silver, and
Bronze
Affiliation is by direct application to the ODA. The application will indicate what standard of affiliation is required and be accompanied with a copy of the legal instrument that confers legitimacy to the association. A copy of the association’s constitution, which must contain the aims and objectives of the association, must be submitted for sighting. If the application is successful, the association will be required to pay an affiliation fee of N25k only.
Thereafter the association can proudly let it be known in whatever way it wishes, that it is an Affiliate member of the ODA. Every Affiliate member shall pay an annual subscription beginning from the year of affiliation. The subscription rate to be paid depends on the affiliation standard and is structured as follows:
Gold – Not less than N400k
Silver – N250K
Bronze – N150k.
We hope all the associations that currently exist and those that will emerge in future will take advantage of this and truly identify with the only organ that binds us together as a people, and automatically become entitled to all the benefits attached to each standard.
Benefits package shall include but not limited to invitation of some members of affiliated associations to special events, some ODA Exco members attendance at affiliated associations events, selection of affiliated associations to represent ODA at national or regional fora, special recognition of affiliated associations at events, sponsorship of some members of affiliated associations on programs, certificate or plaque for affiliated associations in line with standard of affiliation, and many other benefits.
This can only make both parties stronger and more effective in delivering on their mandates.
Application can be sent to the National Secretariat of ODA online or by any other means.
Application can commence immediately after now.
What are we still waiting for?
Thank you.
– Femi Mokikan
National President
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