Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

Once again, we have gathered for yet another monthly meeting of the association but the first in the 2008 fiscal year. Today marks the first year of my leadership at the helm of this great association and our collective strive to foster unity, love and growth amongst the members here present, those that are absent and those that have left the fold of the association due to one reason or the other.

2007, has come and gone and even though today we mark yet another milestone in the existence of the association, history would not judge us fairly if we fail to mention the success or failure of the past year and the challenges that lie squarely ahead of us. Please crave my indulgence as I take us through the past year and our resolve to move this great association forward. Make no mistakes about it, 2007 was a challenging year for us, and no one could have anticipated the twist and turns that it took.

I officially assumed the mantle of leadership following the free and fair election in November 2006 in January 2007. In my inaugural speech, our team outlined the “plans to expand on the growth and development of this association, to reach further and to include more” that the Association’s founding commitment is still the deepest commitment in this association both here in the United States of America and in Nigeria.” Today, the plans and the goals of the association have not changed despite the obstacles that we faced in 2007.

Six months into my tenure, we were rudely awakened to the shock of losing a founding member of the Association. While death is inevitable and its claws extremely painful, our association displayed our love and commitment when we rose to the occasion. Today we feel profoundly the loss of Chief Ukpong Idiong. Let me state categorically clear here, that no President wants to experience such loss during his tenure and since this was the first loss in our association, our collective will was brought to test to see if we would fall under the burden or stand up? On behalf of the association, I want to use this medium to thank everyone – both members and ex-members that showed their love for the bereaved Family and the association at large. May the good Lord bless you all.

Last year, our numerical strength stood at ten and even though we presently stand at twelve, the net gain of four was not so felt by the loss of two members. Our loss of two members was not due to death but rather to a difference in core beliefs and the interpretation of this. This association would continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters who have left the association but have continued to be a fervent supporter of our dreams and core beliefs. Our thanks to our newest executive member for filling in the void created by the departure of the Vice President.

My questions to you includes, what challenges lies ahead for us? What steps do we need to take to bring all back into the fold? Is the association headed on the right direction? Does our contribution need a tweak or an overhaul in an effort to embrace all and sundry? Can we beat our chest and say that we have made strides – no matter how little – in furthering the cause of the association? Can we truly say that our actions and utterances, have helped built the association or rather it has sown more seeds of discord into our minds. The answer lies not in what we want others to see or hear, but in what our convictions are. The answers to these would be broad and suffice it to say that our interpretations to this would be greatly different from one person present here to the other. What then seems to be the attraction that draws members away? What then seems to be the division that rest solely in our strive to remain as a group with such lofty dreams, hopes and aspirations?

2008 is here. I challenge each and everyone here present, to reconsider our stand in the light of what we have gone through in 2007 and what we would go through in 2008 (example) our upcoming fundraiser in June 2008 would be one of such challenges. Our dreams lie solely in our hands and our efforts to build this great association in which I am honored to head today, rest squarely on our shoulders. We can continue to fan the embers of hatred, jealously, back biting and the policy of “I” and watch before our very eyes as the association struggles, members leave and our kids, families, and friends continue to distance themselves from the association. Or better still we can rise up and take up the policy of reconciliation, heal the wounds that we have caused or those that have been inflicted upon us, foster unity, love and breathe new life once again in the this noble cause that we have chosen to be associated with. The answer lies deep within us, which step would you take?

In the months to come, I would challenge the executive members and the entire house to look into the constitution and fashion out a way that would enable willing ex-members to come back into the fold. Any change or alteration to our constitution would be done under careful scrutiny and consideration and should not be taken lightly.

On behalf of the executive members, I welcome everyone to this meeting and pray that all of us would be here at the end of the year to toast to our success. We are determined to leave a better association to our kids and all, by the grace of God we would. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Thanks and remain blessed

Joseph Idiong
President