Come and Let us Build our Village
On June 20th, 2020, the President General, Amuvi Welfare Union (AWU), Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor, inaugurated the Amuvi Development
Group (ADG). This was an administrative masterstroke targeted at the
sustainable development of our village. His strategic objective, as couched in his vision statement, was to identify and develop opportunities to “enhance the general wellbeing of our people in the areas of health, safety, environment, infrastructures, education, entrepreneurships, culture/traditions, etc”. He summarised his vision in these words: “to create a sustainable urban community (‘Small London’) in Amuvi Village in the next 5 years.”
Conditions of youths and adults in the village in June 2020:
- Unemployment was widespread; many qualified persons had no jobs.
- Electricity supply was drastically inadequate as it was only available, in some cases, for about three hours a day, otherwise, it might not be available for days.
- Organised training for skills and craftmanship was not in existence.
- Water supply was in a poor state because the supply scheme installed by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was a failed system that caused continuous environmental degradation 24x7x52 over some years.
- Security system was poorly organised since there were no security persons on guard duties always to conduct regular security checks in the village.
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADG COMMITTEE
- To mobilize all Amuvi citizens, both at home and in the diaspora, to participate in the development of the village. This includes friends and well-wishers.
- To generate funds from all legitimate sources and be self-accounting for funds so received.
- To review all existing projects currently being funded by the community/donors and harmonize them to ensure effective and efficient project realization.
- To consider, review and approve, in collaboration with AWU national executives, all developmental projects and serve as clearing house for all projects in the village.
- To assess the delivery/execution of all projects in line with the village strategic plans.
- To co-opt and nominate sub-committees, on adhoc basis, whenever the need arises, for specific projects execution in collaboration with the AWU Executives.
- To identify and embark on impactful projects in all sectors of human endeavour for the benefit of Amuvi.
- To ensure accountability through transparent and annual publication of its reports and accounts for public scrutiny
Membership of the committee was drawn from top-class dedicated professionals, who reside in Nigeria, United States of America and the United Kingdom. The committee having identified projects/programmes that will have great benefits to the Amuvi community decided to classify the projects into three groups, namely: Infrastructure, Training and Non-Infrastructure, and Facilities Maintenance, respectively.
The committee also came up with some ‘Community Ground Rules’ to assist it to achieve its stated goals and targets in a more timely manner. For instance, The Ground Rules will require that only inspected, completed segments and milestones of any
project will be paid for.
The committee agreed to have a sub-committee for each project, consisting of Amuvi persons who support that project. They will be involved in directly working with the contractors, using the money which they will receive from the ADG and directly accountable to ADG.
MEMBERS OF AMUVI DEVELOPMENT GROUP MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE (ADGMC)
- Mazi Dr O. Chima Okereke – Chairman (United Kingdom)
- AdaMazi Uju Nd-Ezuma – Secretary (Nigeria)
- Mazi Ume Dennis Igboko – Member (USA)
- Ugwu Aro, Dr Azubuike Okoro – Member (Nigeria)
- Mazi Prof Gibson Okorafor – Member (Nigeria)
- Ugwuaro Mazi Jude Nwosu – Member (Nigeria)
- AdaMazi Ijeoma Okoronkwo – Member (Nigeria)
- Mazi Barrister Eddy Igboko – Member/Legal Adviser (Nigeria)
- Mazi Godfrey Oti AdaMazi – Member (UK)
- Dr Mrs Ijeoma Onyeador – Member (UK)
- AdaMazi Mrs. Vera Culley – Member (UK)
- Mazi Dr. Cyril Orji – Member – (USA)
- AdaMazi Ngozi Onyeador-Azuogu – Member (USA)
- Mazi Kingsley Okereke – Member – (USA)
- Mazi Sunny Charles Onyeador – Member (USA)
- Mazi Chris Okugo – Member (USA)
- Mazi Valentine Emesih – Member (USA)
- Mazi Dr. Sunny Lemmy Okoroji – Member (USA)
- Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor – PG AWU – non voting (Nigeria)
- Mazi Uche Uwah – 1 st VP AWU, non voting (Nigeria)
- Mazi Enyinnaya Okoro – Sec Gen AWU, non voting (Nigeria)
ADG MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE PROGRAMMES AND OPERATIONS
Amuvi Strategic Roadmap
This is a roadmap conceived by the ADG to guide our efforts from the situation in the village in June 2020 to the achievement of the desired strategic goals of developed infrastructure, adequate supply of clean water, stable supply of electricity, etc.
It comprises ground rules, and project committees for the design
and implementation of appropriate projects.
- The Internal and Community Ground Rules are the foundation on which the Strategic Roadmap is built.
- Project committees suggest, choose, plan and implement the necessary projects which are the building blocks in the strategic road linking Amuvi from its current situation to our desired strategic developed state as the goals are achieved.
- Technically, projects are temporary endeavours used to translate our strategic decisions to infrastructures and services to meet the requirements of our customers which are our Amuvi people.
Project Committees and AWU Committees
When ADG committees suggest, select and plan the implementation of projects necessary to solve identified problems in the village, they work with respective AWU existing committees. As a result, the ADG Management Committees embraced the corresponding AWU committees such that membership of the effective project committees as in January 2021 are as follows:
Education & Training: UgwuAro Dr. Azubuike Okoro (Chairman), Mrs. Ijeoma Okoronkwo, Mazi Goddy Oti, AdaMazi Vera Alakuku Okereke, Dr. O. Chima Okereke
Water project: PG (Mazi Ik Okafor), Engr. Goddy Okoronkwo (Chairman) , UgwuAro Goddy Ijeoma, Dr. Sam Okoro, Dr. O. Chima Okereke
Security: PG (Mazi Ik Okafor), Dr. Lemmy Okoroji (Chairman), Mazi Kingsley Okereke, Mazi Chris Okugo, Dr. O. Chima Okereke.
Electricity: Dr. Cyril Orji (Chairman), Mazi Dennis Ume Igboko, Mazi Kingsley Okereke, Mazi Val Emesih, Engr. OGB Nwafor, Engr. Onyeka Uwah and Dr. O. Chima Okereke
Compilation of Amuvi people database: Mrs. Uju Nd-Ezuma, Mazi Goddy Oti & Mazi Chris Okugo
Civic centre: Mazi Chris Okugo, Mazi Sunday Onyeador & Mazi Dennis Ume Igboko,
Amuvi Master Plan: Mazi Val Emesih, Mazi Kingsley Okereke, & Mazi Dennis Ume Igboko
- We have tried to establish the ADG on a foundation of transparency, discipline, and integrity by introducing the Ground Rules to direct and guide our internal and external projects and programmes. That said, we have to accept that we are still on the learning curve. This does not mean that we are aware of any failures which we have not corrected rather it is to state that our objective is to develop ADG into a reliable AWU unit which all Amuvi persons at home and in diaspora can trust and work with.
- Our vision is not just for today or the next few years. No, we envision and try to establish the ADG as a robust and reliable organisation for the development of Amuvi in the short and longterm. This includes when the present Committee members will have relinquished their positions to others and younger generations. Amuvi, ndewonu
ADG AMUVI DEVELOPMENT GROUP
Update on Water Supply Project
Members of the ADG/AWU Water Committee
- Elder Engr. Goddy Okoronkwo Chairperson (AWU)
- UgwuAro Engr. Goddy Ikechukwu Ijoma (AWU)
- Elder Dr. Sam Okoro (AWU)
- Mazi Augustine Kanu (AWU)
- Mazi Engr Chima Aloma (AWU)
- Mazi Angos Okoro (AWU)
- Mazi JJ (AWU)
- Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor (PG AWU, ADG)
- Dr. O. Chima Okereke (ADG)
When the ADG was created, Amuvi water supply was in a poor state as the scheme installed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in 2010, had failed. As a result, it caused a continuous environmental degradation, flooding houses and adjoining roads, 24x7x52 over many years. Thankfully, the problem was solved effectively on December 19, 2020. This was following a design that our engineers produced and implemented in the system which stopped the backflow; this was clearly an engineering feat. It includes a deliberate rechannelling of the overflow to a stream such that the damages to houses and roads have been avoided.
Following an in-depth investigation of the water pumps by our team, we hired the Jofos Industries Limited, that is the Mazi Engr Chima Aloma Okereke’s company. They procured and installed two new Grundfos pumps to replace the failed pumps.
The same company was also paid to service the tank comprehensively, for the first time since its commissioning in 2010. All its internals were scrubbed, cleaned, de-scaled and de-rusted and all the identified leakages were fixed.
Outstanding Tasks:
- Rebuilding of the fence wall
- Concreting the floor of the well area.
- Conducting the water distribution
Funds Required and the Challenges:
The first two tasks are being quoted for in millions of Naira. We need money to embark on them. The third task is a far more costly proposition and has to be handled with caution. For a start, our experts have advised that money should not be wasted in trying to repair the existing, ageing and unreliable buried pipes which have been found leaking in various places. Completely new pipes should be acquired to cover the whole of Amuvi.
However, to appreciate the enormity of the cost of the water distribution, it is relevant to confide that we discovered that the Amuvi Water scheme, was reportedly implemented for the NDDC by Jirad Ventures (Nigeria) Limited. It was completed on 27th May 2010 at a cost of ₦178,000,000.00, (One Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million Naira).
This underscores the need for a researched approach in the choice of a cost-effective programme for implementing the distribution network. We are still conducting studies on the way forward. For now, it is agreed that the implementation could be divided into a number of phases. Amuvi will be briefed in good time because we shall seek to carry along our people on the implementation.
In the meantime, we request your usual and appreciate financial support to enable us to continue on these necessary projects. To drive home our urgent need for fund, we would here summarise our financial transactions on the water project.
Total received contributions amount to N5,552,800, while our total expenditures sum up to N4,043,550. This gives a balance of about N1.5 million. This is not sufficient to pay for the repair of the damaged fence wall, which is the least costly of our stated three outstanding tasks.
In effect, this short calculation underlines the need for funds which we require in order to keep working on the project to avoid getting completely stalled.
Security Report
A 15-member Amuvi Security Committee was formed last October, to revamp the Amuvi security outfit. The committee has been charged with the task of establishing a responsive and responsible security team.
The members are drafting a budget and producing ground rules to guide their operation. They have been working with the law enforcement agents to plan for the training of our security operatives. They have also been planning the review of the salaries of the security personnel to ensure that their remunerations are fit-for-purpose.
The planned salaries and financial costs of running the revamped security team should have direct bearing on the census of people and house in the village. With the data collected from the census, plans are being discussed on the choice of efficient, judicious, and fair methods for raising funds from the people and houses in the village.
When the planning is completed, decisions will be reached on how funds can be raised. It is relevant to report that AFNA donated four bicycles. Other Amuvi brothers and sisters donated uniforms, boots, whistles, raincoats, and other security items last year. In the same vein, contributions in cash and kinds are welcome from our people. It is our security outfit and we need to invest on it to build and develop it to an effective team of men who will be proud to serve because of the discipline, training, and care for their welfare which they receive from Amuvi.
Please note that the Security Committee has a different bank account from the ADG. The account information will be given to Amuvi by the committee in due time.
Lastly, please we wish to repeat the objective of this report. As stated at the beginning, it is to present an update of our activities in order to show that we need your helpful financial support to enable us to continue our projects which are being stalled because of lack of funds.
Electricity Project
Five distribution transformers were in operation at Amuvi. Over time, three became defective, and remained so for some years. Late last year (2021), the Electricity Project Committee, working in collaboration with EEDC, organised their removal for repairs. One transformer has been repaired and returned, arrangements are afoot for its re-commissioning.
Fund raised so far by the Electricity Project Committee could be summarised as $3,600.00 and N1,110,027.00 (Naira).
Further update on the Amuvi transformers
———————————————
As you may recall, the Enugu Electricity Development Company (EEDC) recently removed three faulty transformers from Amuvi for repairs. On December 1, 2021, the Electricity Committee (EC) of the Amuvi Development Group (ADG) became aware that one repaired transformer was on its way to Amuvi. On or about December 3, 2021, the EC confirmed that the transformer has indeed been delivered to Amuvi. See attached pdf file for the photo of the transformer.
Members of the EC huddled in an emergency meeting and each person pledged $500 (five hundred dollars) towards the re-installation effort. The cost associated with the re-installation effort has been extensively discussed here. The EC is aware of the many fundraising efforts currently ongoing on Amuvi platforms. That’s one of the primary reasons the members of the committee decided on first tasking themselves before going out to the broader Amuvi community. Consequently, the EC prefers to delay a formal fundraising effort to a later date.
During the last meeting of the ADG management group, the EC updated the group on these developments. Members were excited and many supported the effort by making donations also. So the list that was published, which will again be reproduced following this posting, is the list of contributions by members of the ADG management team (EC is part of ADG.)
So, where are we now? The EC still plans to formally launch a fundraising effort at a later date. However, just as the non EC members of the ADG were excited about the news of the return of the transformer, we believe there are others on this forum who will be equally excited. So if you’re so moved, there’s no need to wait further for any formal launching. In fact more funds are needed to install the returned transformer and the remaining two that hopefully will be delivered soon. In our earlier postings we gave details of how contributions can be made. Here again is that information.
- In Nigeria: The AWU/ADG bank account. The bank information is as follows:
Amuvi Welfare Union Amuvi Dev Mgt Team,
Bank: Union Bank
Account Number: 0151698775
- In the United States and Canada: The ADG is partnering with AFNA to facilitate dollar donations in the US and Canada. The AFNA bank information is as follows:
Account name: Amuvi Foundation North America
Account number: 004796593102
Zelle ID: Amuvifoundation@gmail.com.
- In the UK and rest of Europe: The ADG is partnering with Amuvi UK to facilitate donations there. The Amuvi UK bank information is as follows:
Account number: 83714510
Sort Code: 50-10-05
We’re indeed excited about all the developments going on in Amuvi. The EC wishes you and yours the very best of this holiday season. Greetings and remain blessed.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONATIONS TO Amuvi Electricity Project
Join the growing list of ADG partners on Amuvi Electricity project :
- Mazi Cyril & Nnyemazi Adanma Orji $500
- Mazi Dennis & Adamazi Anthonia Igboko $500
- Mazi Kingsley & Adamazi Ihuoma Okereke $500
- Mazi Valentine & Adamazi Angela Emesih: $500
- Mazi Onyeka & Adamazi Susan Uwah: $500
- Mazi Ogbonnia & Adamazi Dr. Nkechi Nwafor: 280,000.00
- Mazi Dr. Okoro Chima & Nnyemazi Dr. Catherine Nnenna Chima-Okereke: N280,000.00
- Mazi Goddy & Nnyemazi Adele Oti: N100,000.00
- Mazi Ikechukwu & Nnyemazi Chika Okafor: N100,000.00
- Mazi Azubike & Adamazi Stella Okoro: N100,000.00
- Mazi Ndubisi & Nnyemazi Uju Ezuma: N100,000.00
- Adamazi Ijeoma Okoronkwo: N100,000.00
- Adamazi Vera Alaku Okoroukwu Okereke: N50,027.00
- Mazi Gabe Nnabugwu na Adamazi Ola Ezuma : $600
Total: Three thousand one hundred Dollars only ($3,100,00) and one million, one hundred and Ten thousand, twenty seven Naira only (N110 ,027.00)
Thank you for your kind and generous donations.
God bless and replenish your pockets.
Our ADG account details are as follows:
Account Name:Amuvi Welfare Union Amuvi Development Management Team.
Bank: Union Bank
Acct/Number: 0151698775
Thank you
Education & Training Programme
(Uda Entrepreneurship Scheme)
The programme involving ITF, NDE, etc., was launched in January 2021.
Results so far include the following:
- In January 2021, ten (10) youths were empowered, and have been practising their trades within Arochukwu.
- Thirteen (13) ladies have been trained at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in cosmetology, hair dressing, fashion design and tailoring
- Five (5) young men were trained in Enugu in building craftsmanship – plumbing and pipe fitting, masonry, etc.
- Twelve (12) youths have graduated in farming (poultry and fish), solar energy installation and catering/confectionary.
- Nine (9) majoring in electrical installation and computer science (hardware and software) are still undergoing training.
- Thirty-two (32) trained youths have moved into the 3rd stage of apprenticeship or attachment from February 1st, 2022, and it shall last for one year. This stage is critical because it is hands-on; getting them to practise shop and client management, thus setting them up to succeed in their own businesses. Successful candidates shall be empowered to start their own businesses.
The impact generated by the empowerment of the first batch of youths being trained is huge, such that the next batch will surpass it, given the interest already generated. However, we have a major challenge, our funds are exhausted, and the scheme may suffer unless we receive timely assistance. We shall pay the master craftsmen under whom the trainees shall undergo on-the-job training. Also, we shall pay stipend to the trainees to cover feeding and transport. The budgeted sum is N6,800,000.00.
It is also relevant to report that Education & Training Committee has received the sum of N10,516,900 since its programme started. Out of this, the sum of N7,088,800.00 has been invested, leaving a balance of about N3.4 million. This is just about half of the sum required to pay for the next phase of training for our youths.
We consider the ongoing scheme as the best way to invest in our youths who shall become the future leaders of our community. We would therefore invite sons and daughters of Amuvi, including previous donors, to come to our assistance. No amount is too little please.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONATIONS TO AWU/ADG Entrepreneurship Scheme.
Adopt and sponsor Amuvi youths to become well established entrepreneurs. Join the growing list of ADG partners on Uda Entrepreneurship Scheme:
- AWU, UK: Sponsorship of 2 Amuvi youths: 760,000.00 cash donation
- Dr Lemmy Okoroji: sponsorship of 2 Amuvi youths
- Ugwuaro Mazi Goddy Ijoma: sponsorship of 5 Amuvi youths and 400,000.00 cash donation
- Mazi Kingsley Okereke: Sponsorship of 1. Amuvi youth
- Mazi Dennis Ume-Igboko: Sponsorship of 1 Amuvi youth.N420,000.00
- Ada Mazi V. N. Alakuku Okoroukwu Okereke: Sponsorship of 2 Amuvi youths and 30,000.00, 250,000.00, 250,000.00 cash
- Dr Chima & Cathy Okereke: 500,000.00
- Dr Azubike Okoro (Ugwuaro): N100,000.00
- Mazi Goddy Oti: 100,000.00
- Mazi Ndubisi &Uju Nd Ezuma:100,000.00
- Mazi (Barr) Ndionyenma H. Nwankwo: 100,000.00
- Dr Gerald Chidi Emesi: sponsorship of 1 Amuvi youth on Agric/ Farming: 237,500 & 250,000.00
- Mazi Sunday Onyeador: Training of 1 Amuvi Youth: Barbing skill:200,000.00
- Mazi Chris na nye Mazi Chinyere Okugo: 100,000.00
- Mazi Benson Okoronkwo: Training of one Amuvi youth in Solar Energy installation.: 202,400.00
- Mazi (Barr) Nkem Walter Okereke: 100,000.00
- Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor Jonah: N150,000.00
- Eziada ……. : 30,000.00
- Chima Owunna: 100,000.00
- Mazi Cyril Orji: 100,000.00
- Dr Henry Okey &Mrs Colette Onyeador: Sponsorship of one Amuvi youth in Electrical installation: 267,000.00
- Mazi Chijioke na Nyemazi Maureen JNC Okereke: 100,000.00
- Hon. Uko Nkole, member representing Arochukwi/Ohafia at the House of Representatives: 10 sewing machines and 5 hair dressing equipment .
- Mazi Dr, Nnanna Okereke (Topsy):100,000.00
- Dr (Mrs) Pat Emesi: 20,000.00
- Mazi Gibson Ihe: 100,000.00
- Mazi Nnabugwu and Adamazi Ola Ezumah: 500,000.00
- Sir Innocent Ndidi Orji:100,000.
- Dr Ejike and Dr Linda Onyeador: 1,000,000.00
- Mazi Val Emesi in honor of the family patriarch, Mazi Christopher Emesi, a known teacher & farmer, is sponsoring one Amuvi youth in Agric/farming
- Dr Chidi Iheama: donated his consultancy fee valued at 167,500.00
- Dr Azubike Okoro: donated 60 Teeshirts for trainees valued at:134,350.00
- Amuvi Community Foundation (ACOF) Donation for one candidate in Carpentry and Furniture: 410,000.00
- Josephine Nne Okoronkwo (nee Ezumah): 100,000.00
- Sir Ambrose and Lady Ebere Nwokoro:100,000.00.
- Colleagues of Ijeoma Oji-Okoronkwo: 1,000,000.00
- Nwamazi Nonso Okafor:100,000.00
- Anonymous: 1,000,000.00
- Mazi Kingsley Okereke:260,000.00
- Ugochukwu Morah: 100,000.00
- Mazi Jude Nwosu: 200,000.00 (pledge
- Asoh Richard Chimezie: 50,000
- Chinedu Igna-Igboko: 50,000
- Mazi Kingsley Okereke Additional donation: N100.000
- Mazi Chris Okugo: Additional donation: N50,000
- Mazi Dennis Igboko Additional donation: N50,000
- Mazi Goddy Oti: Additional donation; N50,000
- Mazi IK Okafor: Additional donation: N30,000
- Mazi Dr Cyril Orji: Additional donation: N50,000
- Mazi Dr Lemmy Okoroji: Additional donation: N100,000.00
- The beautiful ladies of United Sisters (U8) : donation of 50 pieces of material to support our daughters in training at UNN
- Nwamazi Chidiebere Ochiagha: 100,000.00
- Engr Ogbonna na Nye Mazi Dr Nkechi Nwafor: 100,000.00
In total we have received 10 sewing machines, 5 hairdressing equipment, 60 Teeshirts, pledge of N200,000.00 and cash donation of:
N10,466,900.00 only
Thank you for your kind and generous donations. God bless and replenish your pockets.
Our ADG account details are as follows:
Amuvi Welfare Union Amuvi Development Management Team.
Bank: Union Bank
Acct/Number: 0151698775
Thank you
Uda Palm Oil Processing Mill
Uda Entrepreneurship is setting up a centre for developing the capacity of local entrepreneurs in the production and processing of oil palm products, which should facilitate wealth creation in the community.
The centre is being built in 4.5 plots of land donated by the family of the late Dr Nwakamma Okoro to the ADG-AWU for a permanent site of the Uda Entrepreneurship Scheme as a model skill development centre. Their objective is to immortalise the name of their father for his services to the community.
Funding
- ADG-AWU in collaboration with Onyemaranwanneya applied for, and won, the United States of America Ambassador’s Special Self-Help Program grant in Nigeria for fiscal 2021 worth about $10,000.
- There is a counterpart funding being provided by ADG-AWU. As a result, it has been possible to procure the complete set of palm oil milling machines which are being installed and key staff are being sourced.
- Immediate to Long term Development Plan
- A pilot arrangement with rural women under Uda Amuvi Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd is being planned for implementation.
- The centre will contain small scale factories to provide learning activities for trainees and job opportunities for the locals.
- We believe that small-scale agro-processing industries, such as oil palm processing, holds the key to rural poverty reduction. In effect, the native and ubiquitous oil palm tree provides the palm products to be exploited for stimulating local economic development.
- It is therefore, estimated that in the immediate to short term, about 50 people from the community shall be direct beneficiaries, with women accounting for 70 percent. It is hoped that there will be 250 indirect beneficiaries.
- The mill is planned to be operational by Easter 2022 and ADG/AWU has constituted a management team to oversee its operations.
Dr. Nwakanma Okoro Skills Development Centre, Amuvi.
Barr Ijeoma Nwakanma Okoro has donated a parcel of land to AWU/ADG which will be developed as a skills development centre. When the centre is established, it will be named after her father, Dr. Nwakanma Okoro, to immortalize him for his services to Amuvi and Arochukwu. Among other possible uses, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) may train our people and others at the centre. This will be cost-effective and probably income-generating when ITF will train non-Amuvi indigenes at the centre.