Branches

President: Mazi Chris Okugo
Secretary: Mazi Martin Kanu

Address: P.O. Box 6990, Katy, TX 77491, USA

History of Amuvi Compatriot Foundation (ACOF)

Amuvi Compatriots Foundation or ACOF as it has come to be fondly called by members and non-embers alike is a community development association established in December 1999, in response to the need to provide a platform for young professionals of Amuvi extract to contribute meaningfully to the wheel of development in Amuvi and its environs.

The promoters at that time, envisioned that ACOF will be the vehicle to reposition Amuvi and help her attain enviable development strides, especially in the area of education, job creation and youth empowerment and development. ACOF is not a political group.

It’s instructive to note that the membership of ACOF is drawn from all works of life. Membership is open to both males and females, married or single, provided one is a person of integrity and great character. Thus, the membership of ACOF cut across several family units in Amuvi.

 

Amuvi Compatriots Foundation (aka ACOF) was founded in December 1999 with nine pioneer members (friends) with Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor and Nwa-Mazi Emeka Aniche as the pioneer Chairman and General Secretary respectively.

The nine pioneer members are:

• Mazi Ogbonnia Nwafor
• Mazi Sebastine Chinweokwu Nwafor
• Nwa-Mazi Emeka Aniche
• Mazi Ikechukwu Okafor
• Mazi Azubuike Okafor
• Mazi Ndubuisi Orji
• Nwa-Mazi Obinna Aniche
• Mazi Okechukwu Anabanti
• Mazi Martins Ijeomah.

 

In the words of Nwa-Mazi Emeka Aniche who was the pioneer General Secretary and ACOF official with the longest service year, “ACOF has come a long way. I recall with nostalgia the month of December in 1999, when some of us gathered on the eve of the traditional marriage of our mutual friend, Mazi Azubuike Okafor, to discuss how to give him support. That gathering eventually gave birth to ACOF”.

 

It started with the view of felicitating with friends in times of joy and sorrow, and sharing knowledge about our (Aro) culture.  Overtime, it has metamorphosed from its original name “Amuvi Committee of Friends” through “Amuvi Compatriot Forum” to her present name: it has always retained her acronym “ACOF”.  Her mission has also expanded as expressed below:

“To promote and propagate unity and progress within ourselves, embarking on sustainable development initiatives to enhance the growth and living standard of our community”

 

Our vision has always been to be:

 “…a sustainable development association helping to build a better Amuvi and Arochukwu as a whole”

 

The Association has initiated projects in the area of education and job creation. In 2002, ACOF instituted an annual Prize Giving Day Ceremony for all primary and secondary schools in Amuvi. Hence, ever since then, ACOF has presented gifts and prizes to outstanding pupils/students and teachers in these schools. In addition, free exercise books are presented to all pupils/students and teachers in these schools

Also in 2002, ACOF donated generously to the appeal launch for the building of the Comprehensive Secondary School in Amuvi, organized by the Amuvi Welfare Union.

ACOF initiated a move to renovate one of the dilapidated classroom blocks at the Amuvi Community Primary School 1, and donate computers to the Comprehensive Secondary School in Amuvi. The set of computers was presented during the 2006 Prize Giving Day in December while the renovation work on the classroom block was done in the first quarter of 2007.

In the area of job creation and placement, the Association created a powerful network within and outside the Association, for the purpose of searching out job opportunities and seeking out qualified persons of Amuvi extract to fill such vacancies. Over the years several persons have benefited from this programme and outreach.

ACOF leadership and structure has had some mutations over the years.

Administratively, ACOF operated a three zonal structure – Abuja Zone for northern area of the country, Lagos Zone for the western area and Port Harcourt Zone for the eastern area. The zonal activities were coordinated by the Zonal Coordinators

 

Mazi Ogbonnia Nwafor became the second ACOF Chairman, having come into office in December 2002. The General Elections held on 27^th and 30^th December 2005, brought in the administration of Mazi Okechukwu Anabanti as Chairman and Nwa-Mazi Emeka Aniche still retaining his position as General Secretary of ACOF.

Presently the Chairman of ACOF is Mazi Bright Kanu, It is equally important to note that Mazi Ogbonnia Nwafor has been a two-time Chairman of ACOF.

 

In December 2006, ACOF held its first ever End-of-year Party. The party afforded members and non members alike the opportunity to unwind during the festive period, and also provided the group an opportunity to say thank you to a few individuals who have supported ACOF over the years. The following persons have supported ACOF in the past in achieving its objectives and goals:

Mazi Thomas Okoroji (Eze Ogo Amuvi), Prof (Mrs.) Nnenna Kanno, Prof Gibson Okoroafor, Mazi Peter Nwafor, Mazi Goddy Okoro, Mazi Felix Okereke (USA), Mazi Okechukwu Umeh and the blessed memories of Mazi (Arc) Christian Nwafor, Mazi Akachi Ume and Mazi (Arc) Chris Igboko.