History of Umuezeana Ndi Ngo, Egbema, Ozubulu

UMUEZEANA NDI-NGO CONSTITUTION
CARETAKER COMMITTEE REVIEW
PREAMBLE

We, the members of Umuezeana Progressive Assembly a non-profit making and non-political organization, established duly on humanitarian purposes and bound by customary laws and regulations (Uruokpalla Council of elders, Umudunu Meeting, Egbema Progressive Assembly and Ozubulu ODU) on promoting and achieving our expected societal development as well as security of the land, do firmly and solemnly resolve to live in unity and harmony and to provide for ourselves a Constitution and to be governed by the provisions therein contained.

NB: This is the constitution of Umuezeana Progressive Assembly of Uruokpala section of Umudunu Meeting in Egbema Development Union arm of Ozubulu Development Union in the present Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitution became effective from the date it was approved by the general meeting of the Union.
The meeting is known and shall be called Umuezeana Progressive Assembly (UPA) taken leaf from its Bye-law edicts. This was an assembly born out of inheritance, possessed traditional ideals, values and entrusted but respected cultures of enviable legacy that must be sustained and preserved. The meeting was formerly chaired by the Most Eldest in the ancient past that siemensed Umuezeana Ngo and Mbana family Meeting. The meeting evolved to executive platform around 1970 and meta-revolved and produced many leaders with varied administrative dexterity. The meetings Bye-law was formed in 2007 and this legal tool had and has maintained law and order until the birth of this Constitution in 2017, waiting to be adopted.

ARTICLE I:   NAME & REGISTRATION
UMUEZEANA PROGRESSIVE ASSEMBLY
Email: umuezeanandingo@yahoo.com

The organisation shall be known and called Umuezeana Progressive Assembly (UPA), being an offshoot of the Uruokpala Kindred Meeting subsumed in Umudunu Family Meeting of Egbema Development Union (EPU) of ODU National Ozubulu.
CAC Registration is very vital for future Ventures like Scholarship plan and certificate to awardees in school e.g. SCUMUL Certificate and other Applications of CAC. Local Government Registration does not suffice identification of a standard Organisation or Association.

ARTICLE II:   ADDRESS
The registered address of the Association is:
UMUEZEANA PROGRESSIVE ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT UMUEZIKE IN URUOKPALLA EGBEMA, EKWUSIGO LGA, ANAMBRA STATE
ARTICLE III: AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ORGANISATION:

To bring together all filial members of Ezikes ancestry living in Ozubulu, within Nigeria and abroad under one Umbrella.
To discuss the general problems as a group, to seek ways of improving the welfare of the members and share experiences

To contribute to the general welfare and wellbeing of our dear town, Ozubulu
To foster and promote brotherhood among the members of the community and beyond.

To harness, propagate and project an enshrined development in the community.
To promote and support any progressive measure that shall bring about socio-economic and cultural development of Umuezeana land and the Country in general.

To foster the spirit of unity and cooperation among Umuezeana Men fold, women fold (Inyomdi), Youth wing, and Umuokpu wing as one people in mind, acts and purpose.

To promote and sustain Umuezeana culture and varied Religious tolerance and coexistence .

To offer material and moral support to members and Umuezeana in general
To promote educational and technological development of our children in Umuezeana.

To solicit for Skills Acquisition and vocational training programmes for members of the Association and the community at Large.

To show conscious hospitality among members and affiliated branches.
To promote Igbo dialect of Umuezeana Ozubulu spoken language as the identity of the Umuezeana people.

To foster unalloyed support for brotherhood and discourage all forms of discriminatory practices, hatred, pull down syndrome, nonchalant attitudes towards assisting one another amongst our members.
To work assiduously for the financial empowerment of our people.

To seek admission of our youths into higher institutions.
To assist members in getting gainful employment at all levels.

To preserve our entire ancestral heritage both material (Landed properties) and non material (Customs and Culture) heritages. We do not allow sales of our land to foreigners.

Logo of Umuezeana

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORGANISATION
The members of the organization shall consist of students, working class, business men and any other male category ranging from ages 18 to indefinite years
(a) All adult male indigene of Umuezeana residing in Ozubulu and beyond Ozubulu though Igu na utu
(b) Outside Ozubulu with their families residing in Ozubulu & environs or even beyond.

An eligible indigene of Umuezeana is expected to enroll into the Assembly as an associate member when classified an apprentice or a student, (eligibility is on attaining the age of reason) and termed non-financial members.

Any Umuezeana indigenes residing in Ozubulu and/or environs or even abroad classified as a dependant shall register as an associate member of the union. He shall enroll free or mode of gratification expressed by donation and such a member must attend at least ¾ of our yearly meeting and events. However, his entitlement in the union shall be half of what a financial member enjoys, i.e. (in terms of ceremonial outings, burial and other entitlements entrenched in the constitution).

ARTICLE IVa: GRADES OF MEMBERSHIP
There shall be the following grades of membership:
Financial membership
Associate Membership (dependant)
A financial member is one who pays his dues regularly.

A non-financial member is one who fails to pay his monthly dues and levies and other collections associated with the organisation for three consecutive months.

The secretary shall first write a letter to such a member reminding him of his obligation to the union before any further action is taken

ARTICLE IVb: MEMBERSHIP: INVITATION MODE & ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
New comers will be informed orally or where necessary, in writing of the existence, functions and operations of the UPA, through village enclave
Ime nne at the approach of the Age of Reason. A18

Any eligible indigenes of Umuezeana living within Ozubulu or its environs and/or abroad who has been informed of the existence of this organisation, but fails to register within three months is liable to a fine of one thousand Naira only. He shall in addition pay all arrears of dues and levies with effect from the date he was informed of the existence of the Assembly.

ARTICLE IVc: INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS
Membership is open to all Umuezeana free born, adopted, affiliate (& must be verified from Ime nne) all over the world who must necessarily belong to at least one Ozubulu meeting or belong to a branch of the OZUBULU DEVELOPM.ENT UNION.
Membership shall be by registration after completing the appropriate forms and payment of prescribed fees.

All registered members shall be entitled to an Identification Card and a copy of the Umuezeana Progressive Assembly Constitution.

Any member who wishes to withdraw his/her membership shall forfeit all rights and shall not be entitled to any refund of any money contributed nor enjoy any form of benefit.

There shall be monthly dues payable by all members into a designated Association account.

In addition, Members shall be obligated to payment of such monies in dues, fees, subscription, and other financial contributions as may be required from time to time by the Association towards approved projects.

Monthly dues is N200 per month, in a year, it is N2, 400
Security Dues of N100 per month and in a year, it is N1, 200
Collection of Hard copy Payment Paper UnPublished (PPD) of the Association is N 400
The Executive Committee may from time to time recommend such persons as it thinks fit, for Elective Positions, appointment as Honorary Members, Patrons, or Advisers but the approval lies solely with the General Meeting.

Every registered member upon acceptance or renewal should donate a sit (cash equivalent N10, 000) for our Hall (as form of identification).

There shall be kept at the Secretariat (Secretary), a Register of all members.
ARTICLE IVd: BRANCH MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATION
Existing Umuezeana Progressive Assembly (UPA) meetings in various parts of the country shall be registered as Affiliated Branches.

Newly established branches shall be deemed to be established by the Association and duly affiliated.

All branches affiliated to the National body shall pay affiliation fees and also pay monthly dues to the National body as may be prescribed from time to time.

ARTICLE IVe: FAILURE TO PAY DUES AND LEVIES FOR A PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS AND WHEN PROTRACTED / DISMEMBERSHIP A PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS
Any member who fails to pay up his monthly dues or levies after a period of three months shall be informed in writing to do so. He will, meanwhile, not enjoy any benefit until he settles his debt with the union (there shall be no arrears of benefits). After 6 months of nonpayment cum nonattendance, there shall be 50% penalty of debt accruals whenever is paid. Moreover, whereas the nonattendance is sustained after another six months, regardless of financial updatedness, the Union through the office of the secretary should write/serve a letter of Notice of Protracted Absence from Meetings/Dismembership and duly endorsed by the Chairman of the Assembly to the defaulter. In a meeting following the service (of the letter), the fate of the defaulter would be decided, whether present or absent in the meeting.

ARTICLE IVf: FINANCES OF THE ORGANISATION
Sources of revenue for the organisation shall be:
By monthly dues
By donation
By occasional contribution or collection of levies as may be decided by the general meeting (e.g. Development Levy / Collection)

Fines
ARTICLE IVg: DONATION OR LEVIES
In the case of emergency, members of the executive forum shall meet and decide the amount to be paid by each member and must be accepted by General house and pass; before considered a levy and however, donation will be appreciated as a way of collection.

ARTICLES IVh: BANKING AND IMPREST ACCOUNT:
(1). The organisations money shall be deposited in a reputable bank within Ozubulu Town or her environs.

(2). The trustees shall be the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer,
(3). At any one time, the treasurer shall hold not more than N5, 000.00 (Five Thousand Naira) as an imprest account for maintaining the secretariat. In case of withdrawal of money, the Chairman and any one of either the secretary or Treasurer shall sign.

ARTICLE V:   I. TRUSTEES
(A) The Trustees of Umuezeana Progressive Assembly (UPA) for the purpose of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No.1 of 1990, shall be elected at a General Meeting charged with responsibility of selecting the Trustees with 2/3 majority votes of members present and attention should be paid to our three major enclaves for membership (i.e. Okpalaiyiegbu, Udobi and Udegbunam)

(B) Such Trustees (hereinafter referred to as, The Trustees) shall not be less than 4 and not more than 10 in number and shall be known as BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF UMUEZEANA PROGRESSIVE ASSEMBLY and must include the Associations Legal Adviser.

(C) The Trustees of Umuezeana Progressive Assembly (UPA) shall perform the duties and functions of rendering advice to the Association in line with the constitution of UMUEZEANA PROGRESSIVE ASSEMBLY.

(D) Trustees may hold office for 4 years but shall cease to hold office if he:
Resigns his office.

Ceases to be a member of the Registered Trustees of the body.
Becomes insane.

Is officially declared bankrupt
Convicted of a criminal offence involving dishonest by a Court of competent jurisdiction.

Is recommended for removal from office by a board of Governors and Trustees majority vote of members present at any General Meeting of the body OR
Ceases to reside in Nigeria.

(E) Upon a vacancy occurring in the number of Trustees, a General Meeting will be held to appoint another eligible member of the Association.

 II. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees established by this Constitution shall have power to:
Inaugurate newly elected members of Executive Council Members or Branch Executive Officers.

Receive Notices of all statutory meetings of the Association.

Call for any of the statutory Meetings enshrined in this Constitution to be held at their instance.

Willingly attend any meeting of the Association.

Dissolve the Executive Council Members at the end of each term of office.

III. COMMON SEAL
The Trustees shall have a common seal. (The seal must be metal). The impression of the common seal shall be embodied in ENCLOSURE) F
Such common seal will be kept in the custody of the SECRETARY who shall produce it when required for use by the Trustees.

All documents to be executed by the Trustees shall be signed by such number of them and sealed with the common seal.

IV ENGAGEMENT RANGE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees shall engage for varied activities concerning Umuezike as emissaries on issues of Customs, Religious, Civil and Legal concerns, primarily protective of the associations ideals. They should intersect with the agencies and organs standing for the community especially in External function clashes. Any excessive usurp of powers by the trustees will attract the general floor to pass vote of no confidence on the body for dissolution. Note: Any crisis or report or attention call up to the Trustee. It is expected that the resolution to the challenge be treated at most within two weeks of the report. Serious attention must be given to issues and must be treated as soon as possible to avert ripples of effect arising from the issue content.
Article V: MEETINGS
MEETINGS.

Umuezeana Progressive Assembly shall have their online monthly general meeting on last Friday of the month by 7pm.
The physical meeting shall hold at Umuezeana Village Hall by 7a.m every last Saturday of the month. All members are expected to be in attendance.
NOTE: The Chairman shall at anytime call for emergency meeting when the need arises, members shall be notified through messages such as SMS, Local Community Announcer and / or Whatsapp medium. The Association needs communication gadgets to disseminate information to every member which could be done through a registered Simcard and obtain a phone, and must be registered by the office of the Public Relations Officer PRO. Bulk SMS are usually cheaper, while other options could be sampled.

GENERAL MEETING
A general meeting of the association shall be held twelve times (12) times a year, sectioned into once a month. The time for opening the meeting will be 7:00 p.m. and will normally last for three hours, and maximum of Five hours. Absence without acceptable excuses carries a fine of N1000.00 and lateness a fine of N100.00, for the first 30 minutes lateness and N200 afterwards i.e. lateness starts immediately it is 7:30a.m. Before closing period, the late comers who must have paid the prescribed penalty may be allowed some explanations. Any member whose lateness is justified shall have his money refunded.
The Chairman is empowered to convene an Emergency General Meeting through the Secretary as need arises and publicise the meeting through the PRO – Public Relation Officer.

EXECUTIVE MEETING
An Executive meeting of the association shall be held once every month preceding the general meeting to roll in decision of the executive on some informative ideals. The time for opening the meeting will be last Friday of the month 7:00 p.m. and will normally last for two hours, and maximum of three hours. Absence without acceptable excuses carries a fine of N1000.00 and lateness a fine of N100.00, for the first 30 minutes lateness and N200 afterwards i.e. lateness starts immediately it is 7:30a.m. Before closing period, the late comers who must have paid the prescribed penalty may be allowed some explanations. Any member whose lateness is justified shall have his money refunded.

ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
There shall be nine officers, namely:
The Chairman
The Vice Chairman
The Secretary
The Assistant Secretary
The Financial Secretary
The Treasurer
Provosts (Chief Provost & Assistant Provost)
One Information Officer (PRO – Public Relation Officer) / Publicity Secretary
One Legal Adviser

ARTICLE VII: DUTIES OF OFFICERS
THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman presides over all meeting of the Assembly as well as the Executive Meeting.

The Chairman is empowered to convene an emergency meeting through the Secretary whenever the need arises.
The Chairman is authorized to impose fine on any erring member of the assembly up to the limit of N500.00 (Five Hundred Naira) but in case of a higher offence that attracts higher penalty, the matter shall be deliberated upon at the general meeting and appropriate penalty prescribed..
He shall be the chief spokesman of the Association and shall have right to vote at any election, and power of veto.

He shall be the Chief Accounting Officer of the Association.

Direct and co-ordinate the activities of the various officials of the Association.
In consultation with the General Secretary, he shall summon meetings.
He shall be consultable to the general Assembly, which is the congress.

THE VICE CHAIRMAN
(a). The Vice Chairman shall preside over all meeting of the assembly including the executive meeting, in the absence of the Chairman.

(b). All powers of the chairman are vested in him as he presides.

(c.) He shall assist the Chairman and deputize for him in his absence and assume the full functions of the Chairman if and when the president is absent, sick or on account of other reasons cannot perform his duties as Chairman.

THE GENERAL SECRETARY
The General Secretary shall be responsible for all clerical duties of the union.

He shall keep accurate records of the proceedings of all meetings
Shall form the beacon of the secretariat and safe keep all Assemblys documents
Shall handle the correspondences of the Union shall submit annual written report approved by the Executive on the activities of the Association.

Shall prepare the agenda of meetings and present same to the Chairman.

He shall take Minutes of all meetings.
He shall be responsible for the secretariat duties of the Association.

He shall be the custodian of all records and properties of the Association which come to his possession by virtue of his office.

He shall prepare agenda for all meetings.

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
The assistant Secretary shall take over the duties of the secretary in his (secretarys) absence.

He shall carry out the duties and responsibilities of the General Secretary in his absence and/or as delegated to him by the Secretary General from time to time.

He shall be in charge of all the Associations Registers.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
He shall be responsible for the accurate recording of all financial transactions and proceeds of meeting.

Shall be responsible for the collection of all dues and levies and keeping records of all receipts.

Shall pay all monies collected to the Treasurer within 48 hrs, and obtain receipts for such payment.

Shall prepare and sign vouchers for any payment authorized by the meeting.

Must issue receipts to members and external persons, as the case may be, on all financial transactions carried out.

Shall give an annual financial report at the end of the years general meeting.

He shall be responsible for collecting monies payable to the Association as well as issuance of receipt and hand same over to the treasurer for safe banking.

He shall be responsible for proper record keeping of income and expenditure of the Association and shall prepare annual financial statement of accounts.

He shall at the request of the auditors appointed by the Association, produce his books for inspection and auditing.

THE TREASURER
The treasurer shall ensure the safety of all monies realized by the assembly.

He must pay into the Unions bank account all monies received by him within 48hrs.
Must ensure that all receipt are duly signed.

He shall receive and issue receipts for all monies of the Association collected through the financial secretary and produce same for auditing together with any other relevant papers at the request of the Auditors.

All funds received by the Treasurer shall immediately be paid into the account of the Association at a designated Association Bank that may be approved for the Association by the Executives.

The use of cash book may be introduced whenever the Association deems it fit.
She shall keep impress account of not more that N10, 000.00 for unforeseen expenses.

Must surrender all documents to auditors when the need arises.

PROVOSTS
They are to see that peace and order are maintained at all meetings of the assembly.

Ensure that prescribed dues and levies are collected at meetings as may be directed.
Collect fines for lateness, noise making and absenteeism or any misconduct.
He shall maintain discipline and order during meetings.

He shall assist the President to note distractions during meetings, and sanction any member in accordance with the approval of the President of the Association who in turn will also comply with the provisions of this constitution as regards discipline.

INFORMATION OFFICERS OR PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER
He shall be responsible for passing information across to members on all activities of the Union as may be directed.
He shall disseminate information regarding the Associations activities such as date, time and venue for meetings and liaise with any other body that the Association may have dealings with.

He shall sign any press statement emanating from the Association.

ASSISTANT NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Shall assist the National PRO and carry out responsibilities as may be delegated by the President.

10. LEGAL ADVISER
He shall give general legal advice on the activities of the Association.

He shall represent the Association in any legal matter in which the Association has interest.

Whenever required, he shall give a written legal opinion on any matter affecting or likely to affect the Association.

11. INTERNAL AUDITOR
He shall monitor and guide prudent financial reporting by the Association.
He will provide professional auditing services in line with extant financial regulations and standard practice
He will conduct a quarterly audit of the Associations financial transactions and in so doing, he will state:

Whether proper books of accounts have been kept by the Association.
Whether the Associations balance sheet and income and expenditure accounts are in agreement with the books of account.

Whether he obtained all the information and explanations which you consider necessary for the purposes of the audit.

ARTICLE VIII.a: ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Officers shall be elected every four years, normally during the first general meeting in which the election falls due.

Election shall be by voting, unless decided otherwise by a simple majority of the meeting.

An elected candidate shall be the candidate with a simple majority.
Any financial up-to-date member is qualified to vote or be voted for.

Any non-financial member shall be disenchanfraise
Bye-election shall follow any time a vacancy occurs by resignation, expulsion or dissertation, ill health, incapacitation or any natural consequences.

The post for the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary are up for rotation among Ime nne or may be optional.

Location of residence for the officers must be Ozubulu or Ozubulu suburbs like Okija. Onitsha, Ihiala, Nnewi, Awka and Enugu,

THE EXECUTIVE BODY SHALL BE MADE UP OF THE FOLLOWING:
(1). The Chairman
(2). The Vice Chairman
(3). The Secretary
(4). The Assistant Secretary
(5). The financial secretary
(6). The treasurer
(7). Provosts (Chief Provost & Assistant Provost)
(8). One Information Officer
(9). Two ex-official Members
(10). The Legal Adviser
11. Internal Auditor
12. The Trustees (when available).
The Executive Forum shall meet as often as the need arises.

All officers of the Association shall be elected at a General Meeting for a term of four (4) years and thereafter eligible for a further term provided no single person shall serve more than a second term in the same post consecutively.

An officer who has served a second term in a post may be eligible for election into a different post in the same manner as above prescribed.

There shall not be s space for a third tenure. This is highly prohibited and illegal by the constitution.

ARTICLE VIII.b:        
 ELECTIONS
Safe as otherwise provided herein, voting at all meetings shall be by show of hands. However, when conducted online, voting shall be by indicating the name of the candidate supported.

Save as otherwise provided herein, a 2/3 majority shall decide the winner in any election.

Voting at election of NEC members shall be by secret ballot, through equal number of Delegates from financially qualified branches.

At the meeting for election of officers, all contestable offices shall be declared by the Chairman of the Election Committee who must be appointed by the outgoing Chairman before the end of his term of office.

Zoning may be adopted during election of General officers if need be among Ime Nne
When a vacancy occurs in any office, the NEC may as an interim measure, fill the post by appointing an appropriate person and the person so appointed shall stay until such appointment is ratified by the members at general meeting through pronouncement as elected unopposed or conduct election for the position. .

Vacancy may occur on the following grounds
(a) Transfer
(b) Resignation
(c) Incompetence or inefficiency
(d) Death.

ARTICLE IX: POWERS
Executive Committee shall have power to:
Carry out and superintend the day-to-day administration and operation of the Association and act in the name and on behalf of the Association.

Draw up and approve yearly budgets and programmes of activities.

Carry out and implement all resolutions and decisions of the General Meeting and Board of Trustees.

Authorize the operation of Bank accounts for the Association and appoint thereto, appropriate Signatories which shall include the Association President, Financial Secretary and the Treasurer for the time being in office.

As may be expedient, constitute designated standing and ad-hoc committees to assist in the effective discharge of its functions as well as attend to special matters (as may periodically arise).

Appoint the Chairman of such Committees provided no single person shall hold more than two separate Chairmanship positions at the same time.
Determine and prescribe the terms of reference of such committees provided that the committees shall be free to prescribe their own rules of operation.

ARTICLE X. REMOVAL / DISQUALIFICATION FROM OFFICE
An elected officer ceases to hold office if he:-
Resigns his office
Becomes insane
Dies
Becomes fraudulent
Ceases to be a member of the Association and
Is found to be incompetent or inefficient in performing his duties by a motion moved at any General Meeting supported by a simple majority vote of members present.

ARTICLE XI   KEEPING OF ASSOCIATION REPOSITORY / ACCOUNT
ARTICLE XIA KEEPING OF ASSOCIATION REPOSITORY
All records of the association properties both material and non material properties must be recorded by the secretary, which must have an office, classified as the Associations secretariat. All our properties must be kept in our office for security purposes. The secretary may have a mobile Bag to easy his discharge of duties within the community, where some important Associations document are kept and must be in his protective care and all liabilities must be borne by him in case of any loss.

ARTICLES XIB KEEPING OF ASSOCIATION ACCOUNT
The Association shall ensure the accurate keeping of record of all income and expenditure. The Associations account are kept and controlled by the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer. The Financial secretary keeps Cash receipts well mass produced and also Payment Voucher which is sparingly mass produced. The payment voucher stands as a legal tender expressing payment made by the Association through the Financial secretary to either the Treasurer or to any person to witness payments. These receipts are given to express transactions to whoever that makes payments. The treasurer keeps withdrawal receipts and issues them out when withdrawals are made. All these frequently used document must be safe kept for financial auditing by the internal auditor who regularly checks on these documents monthly and all financial transactions made available to the Associations secretary during meeting sessions to update his records, before engaging the external auditor usually at the end of the executives tenure.

ARTICLE XIC REGULATIONS OF TRADITIONAL GUIDES TO NDI NZE NA OZO, NDINYOMDI, UMUOKPU & THE YOUTH WING
All prescription of abovementioned institution must surrender their constitution and or Bye laws to be revised at the passage of time to maintain a seamless regulation with the village meeting and not to run an incongruent and irrelevant goals.

ARTICLE XII    APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL & EXTERNAL AUDITOR(S)
Internal auditors shall be appointed from among the Trustees to investigate every Association Financial transactions monthly and financial report must be tendered by the Financial secretary once in a month during meeting sessions and recorded by the secretary. External Auditors shall be appointed at the General Meeting by members to audit the financial record of the Association annually and submit an audited report to the Annual General Meeting of the Association usually done at December General Meeting of January New Year Meeting.

ARTICLE XIII   AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION
The Association may alter the provision of its constitution at a General Meeting by a resolution passed by a simple majority of its members. Such amendments shall in due course be forwarded to the Corporate Affairs Commission for approval.

ARTICLE XIV              BYE-LAWS
The Association may make bye laws in addition to the Constitution which must not be contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other extant legislation or law.

ARTICLE XV: SPECIAL CLAUSE
1.   The Income and property of the Umuezeana Progressive Assembly when so ever derived shall be applied solely toward the promotion of the objective of the body as set forth in this RULES AND REGULATION/CONSITUTION: and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dived, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the number of the body.

2.   PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the payment in good faith, or seasonable or proper remuneration to any officer or servant of the body in return for any service actually rendered to the body but so that no member of the Council of Management tor Governing Body shall be appointed to any salaries office of the body or any office of the body paid by fees: and that no remuneration or other benefit in money shall be given by the body to any member of such Councilor Governing body except repayment of out of pocket expenses or seasonable and proper rent for premises demised, or jet to the body provided that the provision last aforesaid shall not apply to any payment of any company to a member of the body may be a company in which such member shall not hold more than one hundred part of the capital, and such member shall not be bound to account for any share of profits he may receive in respect of any such payment.

NO ADDITION, alteration, or amendment shall be made to or in this CONSTITUTION for the time being in force, unless the same have been previously submitted to and approved by the Registrar General.

IN the event of a winding up or dissolution of the remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be said to or distributed among the members of the body but shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions, having objects similar to the object of body and the body or bodies are prohibited from distributing its or their incomes and property amongst its or their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the body under or by virtue of the SPECIAL CLAUSE hereof, such institutions to be determined by the member of body effect cannot be given to the aforesaid provision then to some charitable object.

Article XVI: ELECTIONS/TENURE.
All elections shall be done every 4yrs on the 27th of December Meeting and inaugurated appropriately on the appointed date.

Elections will be done by secret or open ballot system. (at the discretion of the electoral umpires)
Election observers shall be present.
The elected officers shall serve for a period of 4years, the election shall be a test of personnel integrity, dexterity and popularity, different enclaves (Ime nne) and zones are advised to present their candidates.

At the expiration of the first tenure, the outgoing officers are eligible to contest again for a second tenure, if the administration is appreciated by all and sundry. There shall be no third tenure.
Article XVII: ACCRUALS OR BENEFITS OF / TO MEMBERS.

Note: Right to Life benefit is claimable to only a youth who had maintained membership for a span of three years and is given once to a member in a lifetime per head in a multiple family, and so also death benefit to a member is once celebrated to the family of the deceased in death. Please if there is any gifts to be amongst members, it should be to covers all registered members equally, no Nze gbado orie, otherwise defaulter to this offence will pay a fine of N2,000.

1. When a member invites the organization to his wedding (either Traditional or White wedding)/ or any happy occasion we shall attend with the sum of thirty thousand naira (N30, 000) in cash and gift item of N20, 000 and individual contribution of N500 will be made by each member to this effect the pay.

2. When a member invites the Association to a sad event like death of a parent. The Association gives the member(s), two carton of Beer and a cloth and the sum of N5 000 to the family, irrespective of the number of members in the family. We the members will assist in all the services engagements throughout the burial sessions and stay with the deceased member and consoled him.

2b. When a member invites the Association to a sad event like death of a brother, sister, wife, or Inlaws. The Association gives the member, one carton of Beer and a cloth and the sum of N2 000 to the family,

3. When a member dies, we shall attend with the sum of Seventy thousand naira (70, 000) cash gift for a married man and fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) for a bachelor and individual contribution of N1, 000 will be made by each member to this effect the pay.

4. When a financial up-to-date member is critically sick, the organization will play a major part to make sure he recieves proper medical help, though, collections will be by donations from members and augmented through the purse and this discharge of responsibility will be given to individual once in a life time. The amount from our purse should not be more than N20. 000. The rest must be from donations from the members.

5. When a member has a critical business casualty or natural disaster, the organization shall through a freewill donation assist with a view to lessen the mental and financial burden and this assistance must be thoroughly investigated.

NOTE: There shall be FREEWILL donations from members when the need for any of the above listed are brought up.

6. In the event of Happy Celebrations / Outings like Wedding, house warming, Child dedication e.t.c. whatever the celebrant gives to UYA representatives will be accepted.

7. However, for burial, the family of the deceased does not owe UPA anything at the event except the traditional demands of Igwuana Grave digging like Hot drinks a carton of beer and usual collection made by pleased members of the society. This is corporal work of mercy.

8. For burials and any celebration in Umuezeana it is mandatory that UPA flag will be given to the celebrant upon clearance of non-refundable N2, 000 as penalty.

9. During Grave digging Igwu Ana officiated by the youth, this exercise are usually carried out by the youth below 50years of age and our Associate members are exempted from Igwu Ana but engaged in Ceremony Stage Reception Ima Mkpukpu with Ndi Okenye the Elders.

10. Any Land Purchase and Construction of any structure by non indigene on any of our ancestral property within the community or outside, the concerned must settles the YOUTH WING with the sum of N250, 000, while no charge would be placed on any indigene unless he decided to appreciate the youth with anything out of volition while the desire of the youth wing would be primarily development and protective driven in intent.

11. Benefits of improving one another through offer of Health Care Delivery, offer of Students scholarship from Primary through Secondary to Tertiary Institutions of bright/ promising pupils and students, Offer of Acquired Skill Acquisition to members and to our community, Assistance to improve our members who needs financial supports, work service (employment) or business contact and / or support to live or study abroad are in plethora of our engagements.

ARTICLE XVIII: LEVY
All members shall pay the sum of One thousand naira (N1000) as burial levy whenever a member dies.
All members shall pay the sum of Five hundred naira (N500) as wedding levy whenever any member sends us an invitation.

ARTICLE XVIII a: DEATH OF THE MEMBER
Information should be passed round to members by the information officer. Members will report to the house of the deceased immediately on receiving the information. Any member who fails to turn up immediately without adequate reason shall pay a fine of N 500.00 (Five Hundred Naira Only). During the burial/funeral of the deceased, it is mandatory that members and their wives must attend the outing. A levy of N500.00 (Five Thousand Naira Only) per member shall be paid within 48 hours of the announcement of a members death. Every traditional rite and ritual must be followed by Ozubulu outlined edict.

ARTICLE XVIII:b DEATH OF A MEMBERS WIFE:
As in the death of a member, the Assembly shall assemble at the residence of the deceased on getting the information. A general levy of N5,000.00 (Five Thousand Naira only) per member.

The Union shall make provision for the following expenses;
(a). The Union shall take the deceased home (to Ozubulu for Ambulance services at N 10, 000.00).

(b). 5, 000.00 (Five Thousand Naira only) shall be given to the husband as the Unions contribution towards the purchase of Coffin.

(c). 10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira only) shall be given to the Husband as the Unions help for the expenses made during the burial ceremony.

XVIIIc ENTERTAINMENT SHALL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING FOR DEATH OF MEMBERS WIFE
(a). Three Cartons of Beer which could be star/Gulder/Heineken
(b) Four Gallons of Palm wine
(c). Two Crates of Malt Drinks
The executive committee shall be empowered to impose additional levy on members to cover the above cost if necessary.

ARTICLE XVIIId: DEATH OF SON/ DAUGHTER/ FATHER/ MOTHER OF A FINANCIAL MEMBER
Where a son/daughter (of at least one year and above) or Mother/ Father of a financial member dies, the Union shall pay a condolence visit to the bereaved member during the funeral ceremony, with:
A sum of N 5, 000.00 (Five Thousand Naira only) as condolence purse
Two (2) Cartons of beer and two (2) crates of Malt.

Two (2) Gallons of palm wine
One piece of Abada material
A general levy of N 1, 000.00 (one Thousand Naira only) shall be paid by every member. Also, the Assembly shall provide or make arrangements for transportation of three delegated, while other members will be encouraged to attend the funerals at Ozubulu.

ARTICLE XVIIIe: INVITATION TO A WEDDING OR ANY SOCIAL OCCASION BY A MEMBER
When invited by a member, the Union shall attend any such occasion and donate a sum of N10, 000.00 (Ten Thousand Naira only).

ARTICLE XVIIIf: DISCIPLINE
The removal of an officer for any gross misconduct alleged and proved against him will be by a two third majority 2/3 vote of the members.

The house shall act by a majority vote where the constitution is silent.
A mean or disorderly behaivour by a member during a meeting carries a fine of not less than 1, 000.00 (One Thousand Naira Only) and kolanut failing which such member may be suspended, or excommunicated as a last resort.

ARTICLE XVIIIg: QUARRELLING
The organisation must endeavor to settle quarrel between members. Members with disagreements or misunderstanding must first report to the general meeting.
Those who quarrel during a meeting shall pay a fine of N1, 000.00 each. Offenders shall be allowed some explanation during the closing periods. The person adjudged to be guilty forfeits his fine.

ARTICLE XVIIIh: CASH OR MATERIAL GIFT TO THE ASSOCIATION
The mode of sharing any cash or material to the Association must be agreed upon before sharing is done.

ARTICLE XVIIIi: NEGLIGENCE OF DUTY
Any member who neglect his assigned duties to the Union without any reasonable or justifiable reason will be duly fines.

ARTICLE XVIIIj: END OF THE YEAR ACTIVITIES
End of the year activities shall be directed by the general meeting during the last but one meeting i.e. in the month of November of every year.

ARTICLE XIX: CODE OF CONDUCT/FINES.
Any member that insults the Chairman or any of the elected Officers during meeting sessions by use of abusive language shall pay a fine of one thousand naira (1. 000) to UPA. Again any violent assault on executive during meetings from a person(s) without due provocation will attract a fine offence of N2, 000 per head.

However, the lead or the floor members must not be abused, rather be respected in takings decisions to avoid leadership failures that will produce pronouncement of vote of no confidence on the executives.
The Ideal way of greeting the members of Umuezeana Ndingo is Umuezeana Ndingo kwenu, kwenu, kwezuonu, odi nma nke Umuezeana Ndingo. Then you make contributions, greeting and share your ideas.

There shall be no Izo nsu (protecting and supporting your person on issues to show solidarity) in our meetings shall attract a fine of N2, 000 per head.

The Mass Return Meeting of all Umuezeana Progressive Assembly shall be every 10 years, every decade, a formal announcement to this invitation for the return shall be made on time and we shall invite all our mothers, fathers, wives sisters and umudianas to celebrate with us and it shall be classified as Ezike Day and correspondence to be extended to quarters of the meeting we are subsumed in.

If any member calls Police for his siblings or another member without first consulted or informed the executive shall pay a fine of Twenty thousand naira (20,000) to UYA.

Any member or non-member that invite a fellow member to a shrine without first reporting the offender to the Association to reason with him, risk his chance of standing alone (ostracize for 7years) in the community of youth forum and the whole community with written information to Igwe in Council Ozubulu c/o Meeting Ndi Odinana Ozubulu copied to Uruokpala Council of Elders, Obi Egbema and Obi Umuezike and then charge him, part of the family or all the members to court. If perchance the issues is resolved, he pays the Association the sum of 200, 000 as penalty or remain alone for life, until redeemed by the payment.

Any member or non member that charges a member to a court of able jurisdiction must be stopped to resolve misunderstanding between them, if the Association could not level up on the issue towards resolution, they should be allowed to seek justice in the court of law, but the processes must be monitored.

Henceforth, all whatsapp stickers, irrelevant posts, irrelevant videos that do not have anything in connection with Umuezeana youth Associations growth or prayer messages shall pay a fine of two thousand naira (N2000).

Any member that brings his family problem to the general public without first been discussed at Ime nne or gotten approval from the Ime Nne Chairman shall pay a fine of Twenty thousand naira (N20, 000).

There are approved cases of customary issues such as Land Issues, Ofor Issues, Inter-communal conflicts which the Elders forum and or Umuezeana Progressive Assembly must give attention to, should not be brought here to be treated; any defaulter to this demand will pay a sum of N10, 000.

The Youth wing can only be used as agents to effect coercive actions on those issues by the support of the Elders and General Body.

Any member or members caught fighting each other or reported to have fought upon reliable investigation and information will pay a fine of ten thousand naira each (N10, 000).

Smoking weed, Cigarette and Mkpuru Mmiri during any UYA outing or Meeting is prohibited. Defaulters will pay a fine of two thousand naira. (N2, 000). Most importantly, an undertaking should be signed by Mkpulu mmiri users and / or sellers and the parents or sibling(s) should sign a document with us and if they refuse to sign, a member of the Trustee member from his Ime nne will sign and resolve such an anomaly within the Ime nne and if he refused to resolve that, we refer the case to NDLEA and Ozubulu AVS will wield into it, by a written document prepared by our Legal Adviser.

Any member that refuses to pay his fine and exits the group angrily will pay extra N10, 000; else UPA taskforce will disrupt any of his family events until he pays.
Any member that exits the whatsapp group without a tangible excuse will pay a fine of N2,000 to be reconnected back to the group
Invitation of Audiovisuals such as Videos, pictures or informations that concerns any youth member to an event will be posted through the office of the Secretary with the Chairman being adequately informed or pay a charge of N1, 000.

Members are permitted to post and advertise their businesses in the whatsapp forum, through the office of the secretary after due clearance.

Any member of the Umuezeana who receives invitation to join the group by virtue of being 18years and above, but refuses to join upon invitation will pay penalty to redeem his membership whenever the need arises. (Redemption fines will cover a. Years of absence, b. youth compulsory levy, and penalty of N2,000 for disobedience).

Any reported cases of Traditional crimes like Incest, Adultery, Bestiality, Murder, Witchcraft, Charm manipulation and such likes when confirmed through societal acceptable measures. The offender will face his or her due charges according to Ozubulu traditional rites. The member will loose his membership instantly or pay the sum of N70, 000 to regain his membership but must not take up any function or post in our forum forever, and will remain a floor member for life. Then any non member indigene who committed such crime will be handed over to appropriate fora to be treated accordingly. However any non indigene committing such crime must leave the community immediately by calling the attention of our legal adviser to write the landlord to evict such a person from our community.

Any residential building, shops, dark or lonely corners spotted for nefarious activities will be combed by the youth wing upon proper consultation to Meeting Obodo. The youth wing may be assisted by Ozubulu Vigilante services.

Any youth member that insult or assault his seniors, father or mother in the community or reported to us of such event anywhere must receive torture from us (ranging from canes, mass beating and he should apologize in paper or sigh an undertaken prepared by the Association not to indulge in such nefarious activities again. When involved again, he should be handed over to Ozubulu Vigilante Services and onward process to Nigerian Police to immobilize him and to serve as precept to others.)
Any false accusation(s) against anybody and upon investigation proved that the accused is not guilty of such crimes by the accuser(s) the offender(s) will be liable to pay the sum of N20, 000 to the innocent and N10, 000 to the union that made resolved the conflict. The absolution rites must be satisfied before these payments are made.

ARTICLE XX: CONFLICT AND RESOLUTION COMMITTEE.
The Chairman shall appoint a seven (7) man committee on Peace, Conflict and Resolution Committee. They shall look into all matters relating to family issues and Police cases. This committee will be dissolved with immediate effect once their job is done. They are also called UPA Umuezeana Progressive Assembly Taskforce.

Before any case relating to family is brought to the table, the enclave kindred (Ime Nne Umunna) of that family should be aware to avoid conflict of interest.

ARTICLE XXI: CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT.
The Organization By-law/Constitution shall not be amended unless by a resolution of a required Quorum which shall be a two-third (2/3) present at the meeting. This shall only be after 5yrs in agreement with the general house.
This Constitution shall bind all members of Umuezeana Progressive Assembly HOME AND ABROAD with immediate effect.