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THE NIGERIAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION: INAUGURAL MEETING.
 he inaugural meeting of the Nigerian Leadership Foundation (NLF) was held on Saturday, September 1, 2001 at the Atlanta Hilton Airport & Towers.
In attendance at the meeting were 15 foundation members (one absent) who took the following resolutions:
Adopted a constitution and by-laws for the NLF as a non-partisan, non-profit, and non-governmental organization of Nigerians. The mission of the Foundation is to promote democracy as well as good, responsible, accountable and transparent governance in Nigeria. The full constitution will be published in due course.
Adopted an organizational structure that will consist of a Board of Trustees, Executive Council, and members. Membership is open to all who subscribe to the stated mission of the NLF and pay an annual dues of $100.00 (one hundred US dollars) or the equivalent in a convertible international currency
Elected a five-member Executive Council to run the activities of the NLF for a two-year term. The following officers were so elected:
President – Mr. Joseph Onyeocha
Vice-President – Dr. Steve Nwabuzor
Secretary - Ms Olubunmi B. Palmer
Treasurer – Mr. Ime Udombang
Publicity Secretary – Mr. Rudolf Okonkwo
Examined strategies and models of influence to achieve the aims and ideals of the NLF.
That True and Total Federalism may go a long way to solve the many problems that face Nigeria. This would mean that the States would have more autonomy.
That the Federal Government would not be more powerful than the State Governments. However, there will be a balance of power since the Federal Government will control the Armed Forces.
That the Armed Forces should be restructured so that no one region would feel threatened or intimidated by another.
That the constitution of the first republic can be used as a guideline for restructuring.
The question of the validity of the current constitution needs to be resolved. Such a resolution will be sought through the judicial system.
That a fair taxation process can help reduce waste and also be a source of income for the nation.
Reached a consensus that the problems afflicting Nigeria are hydra-headed and multi-dimensional but none as pressing as that of the National Structure.
That issues arising from the current malaise may be resolved at a free and representative forum of Nigerians.
That it will be futile for this NLF meeting to discuss the state of infrastructure in Nigeria without first addressing the fundamental issue of the structural flaws on which the federation was founded and continues to be run to the despair and disadvantage of broad sections of the Nigerian populace.
That the NLF has a short-term goal to explore how it can positively contribute, through voter education and empowerment, to the election of responsible and unblemished representatives at all levels of government in the crucial elections of 2003 in Nigeria.
That the next convention of the NLF shall be held in Detroit, Michigan at a date to be announced within 60 days.
Agreed in principle that the 2003 NLF Convention will be held at a European city, provided that there are at least four registered members who submit a request to host at the Detroit Convention.
SIGNED
- Phillip M. Adekunle
- Victor O. Adewusi
- Emmanuel O. Agrinya
- Ekene Awuzie
- Sunny Azubuike
- Anthony Uche Esealuka
- Samuel Johnson
- Alexie Njoku
- Steve Nwabuzor
- Rudolf Okonkwo
- Oluwole Okunowo
- Ejiro Onobrakpeya
- Olubunmi B. Palmer
- Joseph Onyeocha
- Ime Udombang
ABSENT
- Olumide Ogunremi
We, the undersigned, wish to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Chuck Odili, who created the forum, Nigeriaworld.com messageboard, from which this organization was born.
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