History
THE HISTORY OF ORLU REGIONAL ASSEMBLY USA INC – A DOCUMENTARY COMPILED BY ORANEWSFLASH COMMITTEE
History compiled by interviews of witnesses as well as Past Presidents of the Organization
THE GESTATION PERIOD (PRE-2001)
The history of Orlu Regional Assembly USA, Inc. was, like that of other great associations, not without its fair share of false starts and twists/turns. As early as 1982, according to Mazi Emmy Ejekam, some students of Orlu origin studying in two Texas Universities met in an apartment in Houston to explore the possibility of forming an association to support one another and push back against systemic racism they were experiencing then. These efforts resulted in the formation of ORAHouston, an association of Orlu indigenes resident in Houston, Texas.
In August 1995 ORAHouston, under the leadership of Dr Cy Obiozor, reached out and invited Orlu people living in other parts of the US to a meeting with the goal of forming a National umbrella body. That meeting was well attended with guests from Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago among other cities. The meeting planned another meeting in Dallas in 1996 where an interim Executive led by Dr Collins Okehie (of blessed memory) was elected to organize a convention within one year. That interim Executive became moribund and failed to organize a convention for more than 3 years.
In 2000, members of Old Orlu Provincial Association Dallas, led by Dr Acho Orabuchi moved to revive the comatose organization. The interim Chairman, Dr Okehie was absent and his Vice, Attorney Obinna Duruji took over and dissolved the interim executive before electing another interim Executive led by Dr Tony Anyirioha as interim Chairman, Attorney Chris Nwachukwu as Secretary and Mr Chris Anyiam as Financial Secretary. This Executive was charged with drafting the Constitution and organizing a National Convention in Atlanta in 2001.
Mazi Emmy Ejekam
THE BIRTH OF ORAUSA INC. (ATLANTA 2001)
Chief/Sir Chris Anyiam
The year 2001 was remarkable in the history of ORAUSA. It was the year when the organization now known as Orlu Regional Assembly USA Inc. was formally birthed. Many symbolic things happened that year. The interim Executive elected in Dallas the year before was formally dissolved. The new Constitution was presented and adopted. An election to elect leaders under the newly-adopted constitution was conducted. The following persons were elected: Nze Gibson Chigbu (President), Chief Ben Onyedebelu (Vice President), Chief Emeka Iwunze (Secretary), Sir Chris Anyiam (Financial Secretary), Atty Michael Orji (PRO), George Ohakamnu (Treasurer) and Francis Ibezim (Parliamentarian). Atty Obinna Duruji who moderated the Constitutional drafting exercise emerged as Legal Adviser.
The 2001 Conventional was also remarkable in terms of attendance which included guests from Imo State, Nigeria such as Governor Achike Udenwa and Chief Rochas Okorocha who was then a Presidential aspirant. The young association with Nze Gibson Chigbu at the helm of affairs was set to take the stage as a premier diaspora organization.
THE CHIGBU YEARS (2001-2005)
Nze Gibson Chigbu (Akaraka Nkwerre) was elected President of Orlu Regional Assembly USA Inc at the inaugural Convention held in Atlanta Georgia in June 2001. Returning officers for that election were Nze Eddy Unaegbu, Mr. Celestine Muoneke and Mr. Greg Nnodim. In an interview with ORANEWSFLASH, Nze Chigbu acknowledged the support of people like Chief Ben Onyedebelu who briefly served as Vice President before bowing out due to exigencies of his work requirements. He thanked Sir Chris Anyiam who served the remaining term of the Vice President after the exit of Chief Onyedebelu. He thanked Chief Emeka Iwunze who served as Secretary and later succeeded him as President. Other people Nze Akaraka remembered for their support include Attorney Chris Nwachukwu and Mr Sunny Onyechefule.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Nze Gibson Chigbu served two terms as President beginning 2001 in Atlanta and ending 2005 in Detroit. He organized conventions in Chicago (2002), Los Angeles (2003), Houston (2004) and Detroit (2005). He was re-elected to a second term during the Los Angeles Convention in 2003. When asked what he considered the most remarkable achievements of his administration Nze Chigbu stated as follows:
Nze Gibson Chigbu
- Stabilization of ORAUSA.
He noted that the most important task of his administration was to lay a solid foundation for the fledgling organization. He did this by bringing the integrity he had earned over the years from serving in other capacities into ORAUSA. Specifically he made the new Executives to maintain transparency in their dealings with public funds. He never used ORA money to pay for his flights and never asked for reimbursements. This encouraged donors to give generously, knowing that their money was safe.
- Defusing tension in the election of the President.
Citing the experience of other organizations from acrimonious Presidential elections, he in conjunction with the Grand Patron (Gov Achike Udenwa) and other stakeholders moved to make the Vice Presidency a training ground for anyone who aspires to become President. So far this has worked to keep ORAUSA peaceful and away from the courts and fractionalization.
- Looking inwards for Chief Launchers.
In the early years after inauguration, ORA struggled to find Chief Launchers at fundraising events, mainly because the focus was on finding candidates from outside. That was until his administration approached Orlu sons and daughters who stepped up to play that role creditably. He cited people like Chief Jeff Uju and Chief Jude Akuechiama in this regard.
2003 Re-election
Nze Gibson sought reelection as President at the Los Angeles Convention in 2003. He had a challenger in the person of Attorney Chris Nwachukwu. It happened that after the presentation of the audit report on his first year in office and no impropriety was found, Atty Nwachukwu thanked Nze Chigbu for doing a good job and promptly withdrew his candidacy paving the way for Nze Chigbu to be returned unopposed for a second term.
Election of Successor
In 2005 Convention held in Detroit, a Presidential election was held to elect the second President. The then Secretary, Chief Emeka Iwunze emerged successful after defeating Chief Amos Ozumba and Chief Chris Nwachukwu. Asked why his then VP did not succeed him in line with the succession plan he promoted, he said his VP then, Sir Chris Anyiam was a honorable gentleman but ORA then needed someone who can bark and willing to bite, hence he supported Chief Emeka Iwunze to succeed him as President. However the recollection of Chief Emeka Iwunze and Chief Chris Anyiam was that the two them had to go through a primary election in their Dallas affiliate to decide to carries the affiliate banner into the election. Chief Emeka Iwunze emerged victorious in that primary election.
THE IWUNZE YEARS (2005-2009)
Chief Emeka Iwunze
At the 2005 Convention held in Detroit Michigan, Chief Emeka Iwunze (Ozodi) was elected 2nd President of ORAUSA. He defeated two other candidates to clinch the position. At the same election, Chief Chris Onwuzurike was elected Vice President and Mr Greg Nnodim elected Secretary. Chief Iwunze largely corroborated the account of the origins of ORAUSA as narrated by Mazi Emmy Ejekam and Nze Gibson Chigbu. He added that the first Convention in Dallas was facilitated by the Dallas Affiliate President Dr Acho Orabuchi and Secretary Mr Ben Nnawuihe.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- Homeland Summit
The first Homeland Summit in Orlu was initiated by the Iwunze administration with the well-attended event holding in December 2005. At that event the groundbreaking ceremony for the first project of ORAUSA in Orlu which later became the Information, Communication, Technology and Computer center was held at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital Umuna Orlu.
- Addition of new Affiliates
During his tenure as President the number of affiliates grew from 12 to 17. The new affiliates, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Washington DC, Colorado (who later dropped out after the death of their President) and Los Angeles which rejoined after leaving earlier.
- Pursuit of Orlu State Creation
This administration set up a committee to vigorously pursue the Orlu State creation. The standing Committee was headed by Chief Ugo Onyemobi and later by Lady Augusta Okoroufor. The committee was supported financially and logistics such as a bus.
Conventions
The number of members grew during this period. So also did attendance at Conventions. Previously Conventions started on Fridays. But during this administration Convention kicked off on Thursdays. Hotel occupancy grew just like the standards of hotels used for conventions. The administration held Conventions in Miami (2006), Baltimore (2007), Boston (2008) and Dallas (2009),
Election of successor
Due to the popularity of the organization, elections to national offices became hotly contested. The election of the next President in 2009 at the Dallas Convention was not an exception. The popularity of ORAUSA in the affiliates was helped by the attendance of affiliate events by the National President and other National Officers. The Dallas election was nearly marred due to wrangling among affiliate delegates on who was properly accredited. Eventually the election results were declared and accepted as free and fair. The survival and continued existence of the organization was tested in aftermath of the 2009 convention/elections. Thankfully, with the help of the stakeholders including the founding members and first President the organization was rescued from the brink of collapse. Chief Iwunze narrated the cause/reason for the brouhaha that nearly torpedoed the organization. In the end, reason prevailed and the election result was announced confirming victory for the 3rd President, Chief Chris Onwuzurike.
Board Members
That tenure witnessed a period of power tussle between the Executive and the Board of Directors. Prior to this time the Constitution accorded some executive powers to the Board who opted to exercise those powers leading to friction between the President and the Board Chairman. Some Board members then included Eddy Unegbu (Chairman), Dr Marshal Madu (Vice Chairman), Chris Anyaibe (Secretary), Justin Otiwu, Dr Al Nnadozie, Fidelis Ezewike, Dr Chuka Obiesie, Atty Ferdinand Ubozor, Dr Amos Ozumba, Ifeanyi Egesionu, Chidi Ike, Dr Chidi Onyenekwu, Ignatius Udechukwu, Michael Orji. These were strong contemporaries of the first President (Chigbu) who rubbed shoulders with him constantly with the backing of the constitution then in operation. The powers of the Board was progressively reduced during the tenure of Chief Iwunze until the constitution was later amended to make the Board an advisory Board during the administration of Chief Chris Onwuzurike. Term limits were also introduced to the tenure of Board members.
How the ‘Cabal’ was discovered.
Chief Emeka Iwunze narrated how the term ‘cabal’ entered the lexicon of ORAUSA. During his tenure, the National Secretary of the organization, Mr Greg Nnodim thought he should be the moderator of the organization’s group email then known as e-group. The President and other executives thought it should be under the control of the PRO. The Secretary petitioned the Board of Directors who then summoned the President and the Secretary to a Board meeting to consider the petition. After listening to both parties the Board ruled in favor of the President. Then the Secretary came out of the meeting and attributed his loss to ‘the Cabal’. He called himself the discoverer of the cabal and Chief Iwunze the founder.
Why no Patron was appointed
The Iwunze administration did not appoint any patron for the organization during its tenure in office. This was because the President then felt that the title of Patron should be reserved for non-members who played important roles in the life of the organization.
THE ONWUZURIKE YEARS (2009-2013)
Chief Chris Onwuzurike
As noted earlier, the 3rd President, Chief Chris Onwuzurike, emerged from the contentious election of 2009 held in Dallas, TX. It was an election that nearly derailed the fledgling organization but thankfully, it emerged stronger and ready to move to greater heights.
Chief Chris Onwuzurike was a founding member of ORAUSA, being present at the Atlanta Convention in 2001. He was involved in the election of the first National Executive but he did not run for office that year, having just left office as President of Ezinwanne Affiliate Detroit, Michigan and having given his wife his word not to accept any new position. It was not until 2005 that he was first elected Vice President to the 2nd President, Chief Emeka Iwunze at the Convention in Detroit. He served two terms as Vice President before being elected President in 2009 at the Dallas Convention. Chief Onwuzurike confirmed the account of events surrounding his election as President. He added that after members were kicked out of the banquet hall, the ballot box was taken to the suite of Nze Gibson Chigbu where it was opened and votes counted in the presence of Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief GG Iheka and the representatives of both contesting parties. The election results were then declared in the hotel’s parking deck. The following were also elected: Chief Fidelis Ezewike (Vice President), Mrs Christie Nwaiwu (Secretary), Chief George Akunna (Assistant Secretary), Nze Philip Obilom (Financial Secretary), Mr Chidi Nwameme (Treasurer), Mr Carl Ogbenna (PRO) and Mr Chimezie Duru (Parliamentarian)
REMARKABLE CHALLENGES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Board of Directors
The administration inherited a Board of Directors that acted like a parallel government to the Executives. The Board then believed that they were empowered by the constitution to formulate global policy for the organization. This led to frequent friction between the Board and the President. In addition there were no term limits for members of the board, which meant that many members have been on the Board from the time of the first President. Chief Onwuzurike worked with other stakeholders and delegates to amend the constitution to change the Board into an Advisory Board which can only make recommendations to the Executive. The next Board Chairman was Chief Aloysius Emejuru with Chief Emeka Bekee as Secretary and Chief Theo Duru (of blessed memory) as Parliamentarian.
Convention Hosting Venues
The administration immediately went to work to address the issue of holding convention activities in multiple venues which exposed members to late night hazards. The administration started seeking hotels that could accommodate the meetings, cultural night and gala night all under one roof. That was implemented from the Washington DC Convention in 2011.
Tax-Exempt Status
The administration also sought and obtained the Federal tax-exempt status for the organization with the help of then Assistant Financial Secretary, Chief Stanley Dike.
Revenue Sharing Formula,
At the New York Convention, the President Chief Chris Onwuzurike proposed a new revenue sharing formula. Before then, net income/loss from conventions was shared 50/50 between the National Body and the host affiliate. The President proposed allocating 50% to ORA projects and 25% each to the National body and the host affiliate. It was a tough sell but in the end, he was able to get the proposal adopted by a majority of the affiliates present.
Second Term Nomination Challenge
The nomination of Chief Chris Onwuzurike for second term as President was almost truncated by his own Affiliate, Ezinwanne Detroit. The Affiliate decided not to sign his nomination papers for re-election and he appealed to the Dispute Resolution Committee which decided in his favor. The affiliate filed a lawsuit asking the court for an injunction to stop him from running for the position. That lawsuit was thrown out with costs to the affiliate. Then the affiliate decided to withdraw from the convention in a bid to frustrate his candidacy. This was equally rejected by the House of Delegates who ruled that his candidacy had already been certified and he was therefore eligible to remain on the ballot. He was thus reelected for a second term.
Expansion of Committees
The administration inherited about 3 standing committees but went on to create at least 7 new committees. The new committees include ORA Free Medical Mission Committee first made a part of the existing Project Committee. The ICTC was initiated as a scale-down from the previous project that was too bogus to be affordable. The Homeland Summit was also strengthened as a think-tank for exchange of ideas between home-based leaders and those in the diaspora.
When the Ohakim administration in Imo State wanted to excise 3 LGAs from Orlu zone to Okigwe zone the Onwuzurike administration fought hard to keep all 12 LGAs in Orlu zone.
Conventions
As the Conventions grew in attendance, so also did they expand in number of days of official business. The administration saw to it that conventions started on Wednesday instead of the previous start day of Thursday or Friday. More members brought their entire families instead of just the men. Activities for women and children were introduced to create a vacation opportunities for Orlu families. The administration organized conventions in New York (2010), Washington DC (2011), Philadelphia (2012) and Miami (2013).
Election of Successor
The election of the 4th President was almost as tough and contentious as that of the 3rd President. Chief Onwuzurike narrated how he advised the then contender for the position to run for the Vice President instead. This advice was rebuffed leading to the bitter campaign and subsequent hotly-contested election. The then Vice President, Chief Fidelis Ezewike emerged victorious by a two-vote margin.
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THE EZEWIKE YEARS (2013-2017)
The 4th President was first elected Vice President in that 2009 election that tested the resolve of ORAUSA stakeholders and founders to place the survival of the young organization above personal interests. Incidentally, his election as President in 2013 was another election that nearly broke the association apart due to internecine struggle for power by opposing groups with conflicting interests.
Chief/Sir/Dr Fidelis Ezewike was the second Vice President of ORAUSA to be elected President. He won that hotly-contested election held in Miami, Florida by a 2-vote margin. Elected with him were Chief Tony Okpara (Vice President), Chief George Akunna (Secretary), Mr Charles Anumudu (Assistant Secretary), Chief Stanley Dike (Financial Secretary), Mr Chidi Nwameme (Treasurer), Chief Ifeanyi Iwunze(PRO), Chief Hycinth Oboh (Parliamentarian). Other Committee members were Nze Philip Obilom (Medical Mission Chair), Dr Godwin Ogbuokiri (Medical Director), Dr Uzo Unegbu (Associate Medical Mission Director), Chief/Mrs Akuechiama (Women Leader), Dr Chris Orji (Fundraising Committee) Dr Dominic Amaechi (Chair of PAC). Dr Ernest Ndukwe (Youth Chairman). Vin Agubuokwu (Breakout session).
Chief/Dr Fidelis Ezewike
First Board Chairman during his tenure was Chief Aloysius Emejuru (Ugobi). The second Board Chairman was Chief Lawrence Eburuoh. Board Secretary was Nze Romanus Nwaozo. Later Chief Chidi Nwameme became Board Chairman with Chief Simon Anyakudo (Secretary) and Nze Dickson Ezeala (Parliamentarian)
Dr Ezewike was the first President of ORAUSA who was not present at the inaugural convention in 2001 in Atlanta. His first convention was in Chicago in 2002. His affiliate, OZASF, formally joined the union in 2004 in Houston Convention and hosted the convention in 2006. He recalled that he won his first election as Vice President in a landslide, having earned more votes than his 3 opponents combined.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Name tags
As Vice President, he initiated the use of name tags to identify convention attendees and table tops to identify officers on the high table. This enabled members to interact with one another during the convention.
No Family left Behind
Dr Ezewike worked hard to grow the ORA family including those who competed against him in the various elections. During his tenure as VP and President he grew the number of affiliates by adding North Carolina as a new Affiliate.
Reorganization of Women Committee
Prior to the inception of the Ezewike administration, the Women Committee was headed by someone who is not a National First Lady. At that time, coordination of women activities was difficult. He took the hard decision of appointing the First Lady as the Women Leader Lolo Titilayo Unegbu as Secretary, This ensured the smooth running of the Women Committee.
Political Action Committee
This Committee was created earlier but not functional. He appointed leaders of the PAC in the persons of Dr Dominic Amaechi (Chairman) and Mr Steve Uwaezuoke (Secretary). Dr Ezewike traveled to Nigeria and met, engaged Orluzurume Youths and connected them to ORAPAC to work together towards mutually beneficial goals.
Completion of ICT Project
The ICT Project was started during the tenure of the Onwuzurike administration but construction was at roofing stage. During his tenure, Ezewike administration redesigned the building, removed the leaking roof and installed a new roof. The project was also completed, furnished and commissioned.
Medical Mission
The administration continued and expanded the Free Medical Mission. In 2015 the Medical Mission was conducted twice (May and December) to ensure greater coverage.
Fundraising
This administration increased fundraising capacity for the organization. It initiated many fundraising avenues including brochures, sponsorships and music waxing. At the end of his administration the organization had over $200,000 in the bank.
Election of Successor
The election of his successor, Chief Tony Okpara, in 2017 was smoother than his own. He attributed that to efforts made earlier to focus energy on election of the Vice President and less on the contest for the Presidency. So in 2017 his successor, Chief Tony Okpara was elected President at the Chicago Convention. President Ezewike dismissed the issue of the rumored cabal that selects ORAUSA leaders. He believes that training potential leaders before they assume leadership positions is a good thing for the sustainability of the organization.
THE OKPARA YEARS (2017-2021)
The years 2020 and 2021 were remarkable years in the history of mankind. Those two years witnessed one of the worst pandemics of the twentieth century. Millions of people died around the world and at least one million people lost their lives in the United States of America. The Corvid-19 pandemic led to restrictions in movements and human interactions. Businesses were shut and schools were closed for extended periods of time.
The tenure of Chief Tony Okpara included those two years in which physical conventions could not be held. As a result the Conventions of 2020 and 2021 were held virtually via zoom conference calls.
Let us start from the beginning. Chief Tony Okpara was elected Vice President in Miami 2013 and President in Chicago 2017. He ran unopposed in those two elections. The lack of opposition for his election as Vice President is attributed to the sterling resume he brought to the table, having worked in corporate American for 27 years at that point. Then the good job he did as Vice President assured that he had no opposition for the election as President.
Chief Tony Okpara
Chief Dr Uzo Unegbu was elected his Vice President in that Chicago Convention. Also elected were Deacon Charles Anumudu (Secretary), Dr Pauly Enwere (Assistant Secretary), Geoben Oleru (Treasurer) Stanley Dike (Financial Secretary).
The First Lady was Lolo Chinwe Okpara.
REMARKABLE CHALLENGES/ACHIEVEMENTS
Youth Committee
The Youth Committee was revamped with the appointment of Mrs Ijeoma Eze-Adenka who introduced changes to improve youth activities.
Organization website
The administration rebuilt the organization’s website to facilitate information dissemination and online payment systems.
Unifying the various factions
The Okpara administration worked hard to unify the various factions that developed during the acrimonious election of 2013. As Vice President, Chief Okpara served as a liaison between the President and the opposing faction that lost the election. By doing so he helped repair the cracks and brought feuding members together for a unified ORA.
The Corvid Pandemic
The biggest challenge faced by the Okpara administration was the corvid-19 pandemic. ORAUSA was able to stay afloat and even conducted 2 virtual conventions unlike many other organizations that remained inactive during those years. According to Chief Okpara, ORA made more money during the corvid years because of the foundation earlier laid by the administration with online/digital activities. The cost of the convention was also minimal.
2018 Convention in Atlanta
Chief Okpara recalled the challenge of hosting the 2018 Convention in Atlanta, which is his own affiliate. He believes that the problem encountered at that convention was due to inaccurate information passed on by prior hosts of the convention. This caused the host affiliate to try to control convention activities including withholding some monies to the National Executive. The issue was finally resolved with the intervention of respected stakeholders.
Land Allocation for ORAUSA Project in Orlu
It was during the tenure of Chief Tony Okpara that the Imo State Government allocated a piece of land in Orlu to ORAUSA. Chief Okpara got the land surveyed and initiated the search for what project to site on that land.
Women Committee Activities.
The First Lady Lolo Chinwe Okpara, with the support of the President, revamped the micro-finance program to make recovery better. The women committee also added visitation to motherless babies homes. The participation of women grew significantly during this administration as shown by the number of women that attended the conventions. So also did the number of children/youth grow.
Palliatives, Face masks
Due to the corvid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 and coupled with increased insecurity in the homeland, the annual Free Medical Missions to Orlu could not be conducted. ORAUSA instead embarked on supply of face masks and other palliatives to the 12 Local Government Areas.
ORA Bereavement Program
The ORA Family Assistance Program was initiated under the Okpara administration but could not take off fully during that administration.
Election of Successor
The 6th President of ORAUSA, Chief Dr Uzo Unegbu was elected in the Zoom Convention in 2021. It was a remarkable feat to not only hold a virtual convention but also to hold a free and fair elections via zoom. The credit for a successful conduct of the virtual convention/election goes to the President Chief Tony Okpara and his Executive team.
THE UNEGBU YEARS (2021-2025)
History was made when Chief/Dr Uzo Unegbu (Omekannaya) was elected President of ORAUSA. First, he was the first person born in USA to be elected President of the union. Secondly he was the first person to be elected President in a virtual convention. Thirdly, he was the first ORAUSA President with a non-Igbo First Lady, Lolo Titilayo Unegbu. Dr Unegbu attributes his love for community service to his upbringing by his father and the time he spent in Nigeria growing up. Elected with him were Prince Charles Duru (Vice President), Chief Austin Ofoha (Secretary), Lolo Chinyere Amuzie (Assistant Secretary), Lolo Chinyere Ojinnaka (PRO) Dr Ray Obinozie (Financial Secretary), Dr Carl Ezeagu (Assistant Financial Secretary), Mr Finbars Ogoh (Treasurer) and Mr Ifeanyi Okeke (Parliamentarian) The Board Chairman was Chief Chris Anyaibe, Board Secretary was Chief Dr Bona Onye while Board Parliamentarian was Chief Francis Udeji.
Chief/Dr Uzo Unegbu was also the first practicing medical doctor to emerge as Vice President or President in ORAUSA. He rose through the ranks in his ORADC affiliate serving as Secretary and then affiliate President before his election as National Vice President. Again, his love for community enables him to make out time from a doctor’s busy schedule to attend to community affairs.
Chief/Dr Uzo Unegbu
Before his election as National Vice President, Dr Unegbu served as Associate Director of ORA Free Medical Mission, assisting the then Director, Dr Godwin Ogbuokiri. He participated in several medical missions to Orlu at great personal sacrifice. That’s a brief introduction of the 6th President of ORAUSA, Dr Uzo Unegbu.
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENTS.
Recovery of ORA land in Orlu
The previous administration secured a parcel of land allocated by the Imo State Government in Orlu. That land was subsequently taken back by a new Governor of the State. The Unegbu administration not only recovered the land but acquired more land to afford ORA a larger parcel. He also surveyed and fenced the land.
Award of contract for Multipurpose Center Orlu
The contract for construction of the ORAUSA Multipurpose Center was awarded by the Uzo Unegbu administration. Design of the project was by a member of South Florida Affiliate Arc Dickson Ezeala. The Chairman of the Project Committee was Chief Francis Ibezim and the Secretary was Dr Uche Ohiri.
We Care Act
The administration introduced the We Care Act, a program designed to support sick or disabled members who have fallen on hard times. The program is giving needed assistance to some sick members include a former Board Chairman.
Rice Palliative in Orlu
In December 2022, the organization under the leadership of Dr Uzo Unegbu carried out a program to provide rice to the Orlu communities to alleviate the suffering and hunger brought on the downturn in the economy caused by corvid-19 pandemic. Each of the 12 Local Government Areas in Orly received 115 bags of rice.
Conventions
Dr Uzo Unegbu’s administration organized conventions in Houston (2022), Baltimore (2023), Boston (2024) and New York (2025) which is the Silver Jubilee Anniversary Convention. Those conventions were rated as hugely successful in attendance and fundraising.
THE HISTORY OF ORAUSA CONTINUES….
Orlu Regional Assembly, USA (ORA USA) is a non-profit organization and is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.