Ekiti State of Nigeria Sons and Daughters in North America Host State’s Elected and Traditional Leaders at the 3rd International Convention of
EKITI ASSOCIATION IN NORTH AMERICA (EKAINA)
New York (August 20 - 21, 2004)
More than a hundred indigenes of Ekiti State gathered at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, JFK International Airport in New York City, USA over the weekend of August 21, 2004 to attend the third international convention of Ekiti Associations in North America (EKAINA). EKAINA is the umbrella organization for all Ekiti State affiliated local associations and individual indigenes in North America.
The Convention was planned by EKAINA and was hosted by its New York local chapter - the Ekitiparapo Association of New York. Chapter associations’ delegates came from Chicago, New York, Houston, Canada, and Dallas, while individual member delegates came from all over the United States, especially California.
The Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Ayo Fayose, led a contingent of Ekiti indigenes from Ekiti State to the convention. In additional to the Governor, the contingent to the convention included four Ekiti towns’ traditional rulers, two Nigerian National Assembly members representing Ekiti State, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ado Ekiti and other Ekiti State government officials and dignitaries.
The convention began on the evening of Friday, August 20, 2004 with a meeting of the EKAINA Executive Committee. A reception dinner followed where all delegates were served with delicious African dishes provided by the host association.
On Saturday August 21, 2004, the Convention started with presentations by the following EKAINA leaders:
- Engr. Matthew ‘dare Asaolu, Chairman, EKAINA Executive Committee
- Rev. John Ayodele, President, Ekitiparapo Association of New York
- Mr. Moses Taiwo, President, Ekitikete Association of Chicago
- Deacon Moses ‘dele Fagbeyiro, President, Ekiti Progressive Union, North Texas
- Mr. Clement Olakanmi, President. Ekitikete Canada
- Dr. Muyiwa Arowosafe, President, Ekiti Association of Houston.
After the EKAINA leaders, presentations by guest speakers follows:
- Professor I.O. Orubuloye, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ado-Ekiti.
- Honorable Olufemi Dada, Member of the Federal House of Representatives from Ekiti State at the Nigeria National Assembly.
- His Highness, Oba Boluwade Adebiyi JP, the Olofinkinmileyin III of Are-Ekiti.
- His Highness, Oba David A. Ajayi, the Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti.
- His Highness, Oba Popoola Odundun I, the Oore of Otun-Ekiti.
- His Highness, Oba Adetula Adeleye, the Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti. The Chairman, Council of Obas, Ekiti State.
- His Excellency, Dr. Ayodele Peter Fayose, the Executive Governor of Ekiti State - Keynote Speaker.
In his keynote address, Governor Fayose gave a briefing on the current state of affairs in State Ekiti. The audience got an update on what the government was doing in the areas of education, electricity power supply, road construction, transportation, industrialization and efforts to foster better political relationships in the state. The Governor’s speech was followed by a question and answer session. The Governor answered all the questions that were asked of him and showed personal familiarity with the going-on within Ekiti State. The morning session was followed by a lunch break where all attendees were served with delicious African dishes.
Members of EKAINA went into a members-only afternoon session to deliberate over the affairs of the state and hold a plenary session. At the closed session, the constitution of EKAINA, which had previously been adopted at the 2004 EKAINA convention in Chicago, was adopted by a simple majority of the chapter members. The following officers of the organization were then elected to a two-year term:
The weekend concluded with a Saturday evening 15th year anniversary dinner party by the host chapter. The anniversary celebration was geared towards raising money for "EPANY Educational Endowment Fund."
CONTACTS:
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Engr. Matthew ‘dare Asaolu
President, Ekiti Association In North America
P.O. Box 22487
Dallas, TX, 75222-4872
E-mail: masaolu@ekitiunion.org
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Engr. Rotimi Ogunsuyi
Gen. Secretary, Ekiti Association In North America
P.O. Box 806065
Chicago, IL 60680
E-mail: r.ogunsuyi@rotog.com
Mr. Olusanya Kakaki Ibitoye
Secretaty of Public Affairs, Ekiti Association In North America
P.O. Box 806065
Chicago, IL 60680
E-mail: E-mail: megbofo@aol.com
+++++++++++ You can also visit our website at www.ekaina.org +++++++++++
Excellence, Knowledge, Intelligence, Truth, Integrity, Unity and Peace
Long live Nigeria! Long Live Ekiti State!! Long live EKAINA!!!