In the Beginning: Idowu wrote a letter

[Pita]

To the Board of the NAA:

Further to our letter of November 14, 2010, in which we requested for
a general meeting at which books and the state of the association was
to be discussed within 14 days from the receipt of the said letter,
and your refusal or failure to, at the least, communicate your
perspective on the letter to us, find attached copy of a letter faxed
to the Alberta Gaming & Liqour Commission, the City of Edmonton and
the Nigeria High Commission this morning.

We note also that your email calling for a general meeting on December
19, 2010 left out our key demands as part of the agenda, signalling
therefore that you have little or no regard for the recognition of and
the protection of our right to seek the enforcement of the
constutition of the NAA.

We were therefore left with no other options than to resort to the
next stage of the process of enforcing our rights under the
constitution by requesting a detailed audit of the NAA under your
stewardship.

Thank you.

Idowu Ohioze
(for and behalf of the undersigned)

[Pita]

To the Board of the NAA:

Compliments of the season.

I write to put on record the event of yesterday December 19, 2010
which culminated in an aborted general meeting of the NAA.

This became necessary owing to the fact that, at a crucial point in
the meeting, the secretary walked out on the general assembly. The
discussion that followed his walking out on fellow Nigerians were,
unfortunately, not recorded by him, for prosperity.

Sadly, that irreverent action of his shall leave forever in the
memories of assembled members.

Therefore, this email is meant to capture the crux of the later part
of the meeting for ease of subsequent reference by members and to be
the starting point of the next general meeting.

Events not necessarily sequential:
The house, moderated by Dr. Paul Ugor, debated at considerable length,
the special resolution sponsored by Idowu Ohioze and co-signed by 48
members in good standing. A section wanted to proceed with addressing
the special resolution while another (led by the president) argued it
was not properly before the house.
The sponsor of the special resolution hinged it on his right under
section 1.1.3 while those who opposed it said that since some of those
who signed the letter were not in good standing the letter was
invalid.
The sponsor maintained that he has the individual right as member in
good standing to sponsor a special resolution provided 21 day notice
is given and that he only erred on the side of caution by requesting
other members to sign. He said December 19 made it 4 weeks and 5 days
since the resolution was given to the Board but that it was curiously
not added to the agenda of the general meeting.
The house became rancourous at some point.
Order was restored by the moderator.
President spoke against taking a vote on the resolution on the ground
that some co-signatories were not members.
A member (P. Obiefuna) informed the house that the treasurer who could
determine members in good standing was in fact affected by the
resolution as he was not elected by the general house.
After brief interrugnum as a result of disorderliness, deliberation
resumed.
Idowu Ohioze arose to maintain that his resolution was properly before
the house but that to obviate the need for further discussion, he
moved a motion to dissolve the board as presently constituted.
Mr. Henry jumped to his feet to raise a counter motion.
Olumide Ogundipe seconded Idowu Ohioze's motion.
Henry's motion was not seconded.
Brief disorderliness.
Dr. Sam Ekpe said a resolution was before the house, supported by a
motion which has been seconded but that the house needed to reconvene
due to the disorderliness. he suggested reconvening in 21 days.
Nduka Otiono suggested convoking a legal committee to look into the
legal issue.
Vice President tendered her resignation informing the house that she
was neither elected nor selected by the president to act. She said she
voluntered to act but was now stepping down. She informed that her
financial records are intact and would present them when requested.
President spoke along the line of remitting the legal issues
concerning Idowu's special resolution to the NAA's lawyers for advice.
Some members spoke against that approach.
President said that considering the legal issues he was not disposed
to continuing the meeting.
Disorderliness ensued.
Orderliness restored.
President adamant that meeting should not continue.
Meeting aborted.
End of note taking.

Note: this is only a summary of the meeting from the point the
secretary walked out on the general house.

For ease of reference, attached is a copy of the November 14, 2010
letter (containing the special resolution) written to the Board.

[Pita]

Hello All,

With all the e-mails flying around, and with tempers possibly still
frayed from the Dec 19, 2010 General meeting of the Association, I
hope you would read my short comment.

The way I see it, the ruckus raised by some members at the meeting was
both a disappointment and an encouragement. A disappointment because
we allowed our passion to get in the way of civil discourse and an
encouragement because albeit loud, members showed that they still care
about the direction of the Association. I hope that the passion we
showed at the meeting was because we care for the Association and not
just an ego trip.

The President said he would convene a meeting in 21 days (January 9,
2011) and I would hope that we resolve the motion to dissolve the
Board at that time. Please let's give some respect to the offices even
if we disagree with (or worse) the occupants of those offices. We
often forget that the NAA is a volunteer organization and those that
work on behalf of the Association deserve a pat on the back. At the
same time, the privilege of leadership and the responsibility of
office demands transparency and accountability. Afterall, how could I
possibly know that an Association is working on my behalf if simple
things like minutes or finances are not made available to members for
long stretches. We have all the administrative tools needed for
communication - computers, printer, scanner, e-mail, website or even a
Canada post box. I sincerely believe that to move forward as an
organization, we all need to ask ourselves what we want of the
Association and if the Association's current activities warrant our
membership. If we truly buy into the visions of the Association,
things like creating a more perfect constitution and bylaws for the
NAA, or fostering goodwill within our community become easier to
pursue.

As difficult as the times may be for the Association, I see an
opportunity to re-engage the community and work towards a common goal.
Even if it means putting our personal or partisan feelings aside for
the moment, please let us dwell on the bigger picture instead of
arguing over administrative issues.

Sincerely,

Dipo Omotoso