Election of 7th Dec. 2013

Town Union election was held on Saturday 7th December 2013. The election was very successful. List of the new Town Union Executives are: 1. Engr. Silas Anonde - President General, 2. Mr. Kester Ikwueze - First Vice President, 3. Mr. Uzendu Henry - Second Vice President, 4. Mr. Ikwueze Festus - Secretary General, 5. Mr. Eze Francis - Assistant Secretary General, 6. Mr. Aliozor Kenneth - Financial Secretary, 7. Mr. Charles Igboeli - Treasurer, 8. Mr. Livinus Emehelu - PRO, 9. Mr. Ibe Lawson - Provost 10. Barr. Peter Ozoagu - Legal Adviser



Saturday, February 12, 2011

Approved Constitution of Amankwo Oghe

1
CONSTITUTION OF AMANKWO OGHE

PREAMBLE
(a) WHEREAS there is a Constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria (The Constitution), AND WHEREAS, the Constitution provides for the number of States and Local Government Areas that make up the entity called Nigeria,
AND WHERES Enugu State is one of the States contained in the Constitution that make up Nigeria,
AND WHEREAS Ezeagu Local Government Area is one of the Local Government Areas in Enugu state Nigerian,
AND WHEREAS Amankwo Oghe is one of the Towns/Villages in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State,
AND WHERES the Constitution provides for freedom of association, religion and citizenship among others,
NOW WE THE PEOPLE OF AMANKWO OGHE IN EZEAGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA made up of Umuenechi, Okunito and Enugwuagu component units:
HAVING firmly and solemnly resolved to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble entity under God dedicated to the promotion of Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State of Nigeria.

(b) This constitution shall be administered by Amankwo Oghe Town
Union, hereafter referred to as the Town Union

CHAPTER ONE
SECTION ONE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.1 Name
This town shall be known, called and addressed as AMANKWO OGHE
TOWN, hereafter referred to as the town.

1.2 Headquarters
The headquarters shall situate at Amankwo Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

1.3 Motto
The Motto of the Town shall be ONE PEOPLE UNITED IN PROGRESS.

1.4 Common Seal
The Town shall have a COMMON SEAL which shall be kept in the custody of the Secretary-General.

1.5 Supremacy
This constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding
force on all Citizens of Amankwo Oghe. If any other law by any of
her constituent bodies is inconsistent with the provisions herein, this
constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of
inconsistency be void

SECTION TWO
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Town shall have the following aims and objectives:

2.1 To promote love, unity and mutual understanding among its various
organs in particular and the entire people of Amankwo Oghe in general, and to promote rapid development of the community, and co-ordinate the activities of all its diverse organs.

2.2 To organize and act as catalyst in the establishment and development of Manufacturing, Agriculture and Artifact. To establish sub-committees for the creation of new jobs in agriculture, industry commerce and any other profitable ventures or trade that may be in vogue from time to time.

2.3 To organize and carry out healthy public enlightenment campaigns
among the people of Amankwo Oghe particularly in the areas of
education, health-care, water, roads, security and other activities that
will aid to promote good life and healthy living among its citizens.

2.4 To evolve strategies for the settlement of misunderstandings or
disputes within any Age Grade, between two or more Age Grades,
or organizations, or among individuals or groups of Amankwo Oghe people.

2.5 To pursue any other activities that may be incidental to the afore-
mentioned objectives. To co-operate with the Government of the day
and her Agencies in carrying out their noble objectives as they affect
Amankwo Oghe, and to co-operate with other bodies or individuals be
it national or international within and outside the Town towards the
attainment of the above aims and objectives.




SECTION THREE
MEMBERSHIP OF THE TOWN UNION

3.1 Membership
Membership of the town union shall be open to every Amankwo
Oghe indigene who shall be a member of one of the component
units as provided for in Schedules “A” and “B” of this constitution,
provided that such a person is duly elected or nominated by the unit
concerned.

3.2 Termination of Membership
A person’s membership shall terminate if he:
(a) has completed his tenure or was recalled by his Ward.
(b) dies;
(c) resigns;
(d) becomes permanently insane or of unsound mind;
(e) is found guilty of subversion against the Town Union;
(f) is found guilty of a criminal offence;
(g) is expelled by the Town Union; or
(h) for any other grounds as shall be determined by the
Town Union.

3.3 Procedure for Removal
Any member who is guilty of contravening any of the provisions laid down in this Constitution shall be warned in writing and the warning notice served to his ward or Age Grade. If such a member fails to show a marked improvement within three (3) months, or commits the offence again after that period, he shall be expelled by the Town Union. His ward or Age Grade shall have the right to replace him.

SECTION FOUR
POWERS OF THE TOWN UNION
4.1 General:
The supreme authority of the Town Union shall vest in the General Assembly which shall, to the exclusion of all other organs of the Town Union, have the power to appoint patrons and trustees, establish other organs and elect officers to determine the general policies and programmes of the Town Union.

4.2 Special:
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing sub-section, the Town Union shall, subject to the provisions of this constitution and two-third majority approval by the General Assembly have power to:-

(a) Amend, repeal and/or review this Constitution and appoint, remove
and control all the said organs and committees.
(b) Initiate, approve, adopt, amend or reject any programme, plan or
policy of the organs.

(c) Appoint any committee(s) and/or organ(s) it may deem necessary, desirable or expedient and assign to them such powers and functions as it may deem fit.

(d) Elect Officers in line with the provisions of this Constitution and remove same when inevitable.

(e) Create offices and those of the organs so created.

(f) Demand and receive Annual Reports from Executives of the union and from any other organs of the Town Union, and discuss and take appropriate decisions thereon.

SECTION FIVE
ORGANS AND TENURE OF THE TOWN

5.0 Organs
The Town shall have the following organs through which it shall exercise its powers as provided for in Section Four – 4.1 – 4.2 (a-f); and whose tenure shall not exceed three years each from the date of its inauguration:
(i) The General Assembly (General Meeting/General Assembly)
(ii) The Town Union
(iii) The Igwe-in-Council
(iv) The Electoral Committee.

5.1 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

5.1.1 Composition
The General Assembly shall consist of:-
(a) All elected members of the Town Union.
(b) Three (3) elected members from each of the fifteen (15) wards
in Amankwo Oghe;
(c) Two (2) elected members from each of the Age Grades in Amankwo
Oghe;
(d) All members of the Traditional Council;
(e) Two (2) representatives from each branch of Amankwo Oghe Town
association outside Enugu State;
(f) Any other nominee(s) by the National Executive Council provided
that such nominee(s) must be indigenes of distinction in Amankwo
Oghe.

5.1.2 Functions
In addition to the exercise of the powers vested in the Town Union, the General Assembly shall:-
(i) Deliberate upon and decide on broad question of policy and laid-down guidelines for the Town Union and its organs;
(ii) Receive, hear, debate and examine reports and take such steps as are necessary to protect, advance and/or consolidate the interests of the Town throughout the country and beyond.
(iii) Accredit and inaugurate elected and or nominated members from the relevant organs of the Town into the General Assembly.
(iv) Appoint Trustees and define their functions;
(v) Raise funds, borrow and invest same in profitable commercial projects, fixtures, debentures, stocks, etc. for the operation of the Town Union.
(vi) Exercise such other functions as are vested in it by this Constitution.

(vii) Take any action as may, in the opinion of the Assembly, be
conducive to the promotion of the aims and objectives of the Town as laid down in this Constitution.

5.1.3 Meetings
The meetings of the General Assembly shall hold once every year on 1st January, and the venue shall alternate between Amankwo Imezi and Amankwo Ndiagu.

5.1.4 Special General Assembly
A Special General Assembly of the Town shall be convened at any time by the Town Union, or by a resolution of one-third of members of the General Assembly by way of NOTICE to the President-General and copied to the Secretary-General and provided that only the matter specified in the Agenda shall be discussed.

5.1.5 Quorum
The quorum shall be one-third of all the delegates provided that at least representative members from each of the traditional wards are present.

5.1.6 Rules and Force
(i) The Town Union shall make the Rules and Procedure for the
General Assembly subject to ratification by the General Assembly.

(ii) Decisions of the General Assembly shall be final and binding on all its organs and on all its members.

5.2 THE TOWN UNION

5.2.1 Composition
The Town Union shall consist of:-
(a) Immediate past President-General of the Town Union;
(b) Three (3) representatives of each Traditional Ward;
(c) Two (2) members of each Age Grade.

5.2.2 Functions
The Town Union shall have the following functions:
(a) To execute all the decisions of the General Assembly;
(b) To prepare the AGENDA for the General Assembly meetings;
(c) To prepare and submit Reports and Annual Budgets for consideration by the General Assembly;
(d) To initiate policies and programmes for consideration by the General Assembly;

(e) To make Rules and Regulations subject to ratification by the General Assembly for the discipline of members generally and for dealing with appeals and other problems;
(f) To employ and determine the remunerations of persons so employed by the Town Union or its various organs;
(g) To make STANDING ORDERS for the Town Union including calling for and receiving reports from Age Grades, Traditional Wards, Traditional Council and all other organs;
(h) To delegate any of its powers and functions to any National Officer(s) or sub-committees;
(i) To appoint the following standing committees:
1. Finance and Economic Affairs Committee;
2. Planning Committee;
3. Education and Social Services Committee;
4. Agricultural Committee;
5. Water Committee;
6. Energy Committee;
7. Health Committee;
8. Works Committee;
9. Lands Committee;
10. Disciplinary and Conflict Resolution Committee.
11. Such other committees as the Town Union may
deem necessary;
(j) To deal with any other matter referred to it by the General Assembly.

5.2.3 Meetings
The Town Union shall meet quarterly or as shall be determined by the
Executive committee

5.2.4 Quorum
The quorum shall be twelve of its members.

5.3 THE IGWE-IN-COUNCIL

5.3.1 Composition
The Igwe-In-Council shall consist of:-
(a) The Igwe of Amankwo Oghe as Chairman;
(b) All Traditional Ward Chiefs [fifteen (15)];
(c) Any other eminent indigenes of Amankwo Oghe to be co-opted by the Town Union.

5.3.2 Functions
The functions shall be consultative aimed towards the development of
the ethos of the people of Amankwo Oghe. It shall meet as often as possible
to consider and harmonize the various ideas and activities of the Community with respect to our culture and tradition.

5.3.3. Meetings
It shall be convened by the Igwe at least once every three (3) months or as regularly as it shall be necessary to do so. Any six (6) of its members can cause the Igwe to call a meeting of the Council. During voting, all questions proposed for decision at the Igwe-In-Council meetings except as otherwise stipulated in this constitution shall be determined by a simple majority of votes cast. The Igwe votes only to break a tie.

5.3.4. Quorum
One-third of its members shall form a quorum.

5.4. ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

5.4.1. Composition
Electoral Committee shall consist of three (3) persons from each of the three Component Units of Amankwo Oghe (Umuenechi, Okunito and Enugwuagu).

5.4.2. Functions
The function shall be to conduct elections for the Town Union.

5.4.3. Procedure
(i) The Electoral Committee shall upon its inauguration write to the fifteen Traditional Wards and the recognized Age Grades in Amankwo Oghe requesting for a list of their nominees for membership of the succeeding Town Union.
(ii) Not later than three (3) months thereafter the Electoral Committee shall convene an inaugural meeting of the nominated members of the Town Union at which officers of the Town Union shall be elected. Thereafter, the out-going Town Union stands dissolved.

5.4.4. Quorum
Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum.

5.4.5. Hand Over
Immediately after the election of a new executive council, the out-going officers shall formally hand over the management of the affairs of the Town Union to the newly-elected executives.
SECTION SIX
OFFICERS OF THE TOWN UNION AND FUNCTIONS

6.0 The president General and the First Vice President of the Town Union shall not be of the same component unit as Igwe

6.1. The Officers of the Town Union and their functions shall be as
follows:

(a) THE PRESIDENT-GENERAL
He shall preside over the Town Union’s General/Emergency meetings and Annual General Assembly meetings. He shall be the Executive Head of the Town Union and shall vote only to break a tie.

(b) THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT-GENERAL
He shall deputise for the president general in his absence and carry
out such other constitutional assignments as may from time to
time be directed by the President General.

(c) THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT-GENERAL
He shall carry out the assignments as stipulated in (a) – (b) above in the absence of both the President-General and the First Vice President-General.

(d) THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
He shall be the head of the Town Union’s secretariat and shall be responsible for routine administration of the Town Union. He shall record and compile the minutes of all Town Union General, Emergency and/or Annual General Assembly meetings. He shall keep custody of the minutes books and the Common Seal.

(e) THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY-GENERAL
He shall assist the Secretary-General in his duties and deputize in the absence of the former. He shall carry out such other assignments as shall from time to time be directed by the President-General, the Secretary-General and the Town Union.

(f) THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
He shall collect and keep records of all monies of the Town Union and hand over such monies to the Treasurer not later than one week thereafter. He shall be the Chairman of the Finance Committee.

(g) THE TREASURER
He shall keep records and custody of the Town Union funds and shall
be responsible for lodging all monies into the Town Union’s bank
account within seven days of collection thereof.

(h) THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
He shall be responsible for the Town Union’s public relations. He shall
publicize the activities of the Town Union as shall be directed by the President-General. He shall be a member of fund raising committee.

(k) THE LEGAL ADVISER
He shall be the Legal Adviser of the Town Union and advise it on legal and other related matters.

(l) THE INTERNAL AUDITORS
Internal Auditors shall be appointed to audit the books of the Town Union from time to time and report to the Town Union.

(m) EXTERNAL AUDITOR
He shall be appointed annually by the Town Union to audit its Accounts and report to the Annual General Meeting.

(n) THE PROVOST
He shall be the Security Officer of the Town Union and shall maintain order at all meetings. He shall in addition carry out other assignments subject to the direction of the President-General and the Town Union.

6.2 Tenure of Office
All the officers shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and shall be eligible for re-election thereafter. No officer shall hold office for more than two (2) consecutive terms on the same position.

6.3 Bye-Election
Bye-elections shall be held to fill any vacancy where and when it exists.

6.4 Unopposed Candidates
A candidate shall be deemed duly elected unopposed if after nominated, no other candidate was nominated for such a post after close of nomination.

6.5 Mode of Election
Election to offices listed in Section 6,1(a) – (n) shall be by Open Ballot system and the candidate with the highest votes cast for each office shall be deemed duly elected.

6.6 Academic Qualification
The President-General, 1st and 2nd Vice President-General, the Secretary-General and Assistant secretary of the Town Union shall possess a minimum qualification of First Degree, while the qualification for other offices of the Town Union Executives shall be a minimum of WASSC or its equivalent.

SECTION SEVEN
FINANCE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL

7.1 The Funds of the Town Union shall be derived from the following sources:
(a) Registration;
(b) Dues (Monthly and/or Annual)
(c) Donations, Gifts
(d) Levies, Investments, Royalties, Fees and Rents;
(e) Fines;
(f) Miscellaneous sources.

7.2 Registration
Each Traditional Ward and Age Grade officially represented in the Town Union shall register with a fee as shall be determined from time to time by the Town Union.

7.3 Annual Subvention
(i) Each Traditional Ward and Age Grade shall pay an Annual Subvention as shall be determined from time to time and such other fees as shall be approved by the General Assembly, for the day-to-day administration of the Community. Such subvention shall fall due on 1st January of each year and shall be paid not later than 31st March of the same year in which it falls due.

(ii) Failure to pay within the specified period shall attract a penalty of 5% of the sum if it is paid before 10th June and 10% of the sum if paid thereafter, provided that any Age Grade or Traditional Ward that fails to pay its subvention within nine (9) months from the date it fell due shall lose its voting rights in the Town Union.

(iii) If the debt remains unpaid after twelve (12) months it fell due, the Town Union shall empower the rest of the Age Grades to enforce payment in accordance with the tradition of Amankwo Oghe in such matters.

7.4 Authority to Incure Expenditure
(i) Expenditure of Town Union funds to the tune of N100,000 (one
hundred thousand) and above shall be made only upon the approval
of 2/3 majority of General Assembly.

(ii) Trustees
The General Assembly shall appoint a board of trustees comprising six members including the President General who shall not be its chairman. The chairman shall vote only to break a tie.

(iii) Signatories
The President-General, Secretary-General and Treasurer shall jointly be signatories to the Town’s Account, but any two (2) of them can make WITHDRAWALS from the Account.

7.5 Banks
The Bankers of the Town shall be as determined By the Town Union who shall have power to operate Current and/or Savings Accounts. All monies collected shall be lodged with the Town’s Bankers within seven (7) days of such collection.

7.6 Imprest Account
The Secretary-General shall keep an Imprest Account of at least Five Thousand Naira (N5,000), subject to review as need arises, which shall be replenished on retirement.

7.7 Levies
(i) The Town Union shall have powers to impose and collect development levies for specific projects as may from time to time be approved by the General Assembly, Sections 7.2 & 7.3 notwithstanding.

(ii) Application of Levies: Monies so collected shall be strictly applied to the specific project(s) for which the levies were imposed but where there is excess such can be applied on other developmental project provided that such shall be approved by the Union.

7.8 Royalties/Rents/Investments
All royalties, Rents or proceeds on Investments, or any other monies accruing to Amankwo Oghe, shall be paid into the Town’s funds.

7.9 Gifts, Donations and Fines
The Town shall have power to receive with gratitude, on behalf of Amankwo Oghe, any donations, gifts, etc. from individuals, groups, organizations or government.

SECTION EIGHT
DISCIPLINE

8.1.1 Act of Indiscipline
Any member found guilty of any act of indiscipline be it fighting, insubordinations, quarrelling, threat or any act unexpected of a good citizen of Amankwo oghe shall be liable to a fine of N500.00 (five hundred naira) only. In the case of fighting, the member(s) who in the opinion of the Union is responsible for the fighting/misbehaviour shall be liable for additional N1000.00(one thousand Naira) only.

Any member who default in payment within one month of the event shall be expelled from the Union. Such member(s) shall be blacklisted and shall never aspire or hold any office be it appointed or elective office in Amankwo Oghe for a period not less than five years. The ward or Age grade which he represents shall have the right to replace him.

Note: That what amount to an act unexpected of a good citizen of Amankwo Oghe shall be determined by the Union by a simple majority.

8.2 Noise Making
Noise-making during any of the Town Union’s meetings, functions or activities shall attract a fine of N50.00 (fifty naira) only for each offence or any other amount that may be approved by the Union from time to time.

8.3 Failure to Perform Assignments
Failure to perform assignments on the part of any member or officer without reasonable excuse shall constitute indiscipline and shall be treated as such.

8.4 Commencement of Meetings
The Town Union’s general and/or executive meetings shall commence at 12 noon or as shall be determined by the Town Union. Emergency meetings shall be convened for specific purposes whenever the need arises.

8.5 Absence from Meetings
Failure to attend meeting by any member without reasonable excuse shall attract penalty of N1, 000.00 (one thousand naira) only. The fine shall be paid by the ward chief/Age Grade.
Any executive member who fails to attend three consecutive general and executive committee meetings without valid reasons shall lose his appointment as a penalty. In a similar vein, any member who absents himself from the general or emergency meeting for more than five times without any valid excuse shall lose his membership and shall be replaced by his Ward/Age grade.

8.6 Lateness
Any member who arrives at a meeting thirty (30) minutes after commencement shall pay a fine of N100.00 (one hundred naira) only.

8.7 Voting
All questions proposed for decision at the Town Union meetings except as otherwise stipulated in this constitution shall be determined by a simple majority of votes cast. The President-General votes only to break a tie.

8.8 Removal of Officers
Any officer of the Town Union found wanting in the performance of his duties or functions shall be removed on a motion approved by not less than two-thirds of members present provided that such officer(s)’s representations shall be duly received and considered at a general meeting prior to the vote on the removal motion.

SECTION NINE
LAND AND OTHER MATTERS

9.1 Ownership
Individual legitimate right of ownership over land within Amankwo Oghe (Imezi, Ndiagu and Agu natural habitats) shall be preserved, except that land required for community purposes shall be acquired through the usual customary method. The present method where Traditional Wards know their boundaries both at home and in farmland shall remain. The Town Union and Igwe-In-Council shall have the duty to protect all Amankwo Oghe land.

9.2 Prohibitions
(i) Planting of Crops
Nobody shall have the power to plant any cash crop on any Amankwo Oghe communal land without the approval of the Igwe-In-Council and the Town Union.

(ii) Erection of Structures
Nobody shall have the power to develop, in any way, any Amankwo Oghe communal land without the approval of the Igwe-In-Council and the Town Union.

(iii) Artifacts
All shrines, relics and other historic landmarks within Amankwo Oghe as well as all related lands containing them, all existing playgrounds, open spaces, public establishments, etc., shall be preserved. All encroachments into those lands, playgrounds, open spaces, etc., are prohibited.
The Igwe as the custodian of culture, custom and traditions shall, in consultation with the Town Union, prepare a comprehensive list of those, survey their related premises and shall make regulations prescribing:-

(a) The list of such locations;
(b) Their improvement and maintenance;
(c) Methods for their control and supervision;
(d) Sanctions against contraventions and breaches;
(e) Any other matters considered necessary for effective preservation of such locations;
(f) The regulations when made shall be ratified by the Town Union.

(iv) No digging up of sand for commercial purposes is allowed anywhere in Amankwo Oghe, including using of lorries/tipper trucks for same.
CHAPTER TWO
SECTION TEN
TRADITIONAL COUNCIL

10.1 Establishment
There shall be a Traditional Council of Amankwo Oghe in accordance with the Traditional Rulers Law, 1981.

10.2 Composition
The membership shall consist of all Chiefs and Ozos’ of Amankwo Oghe origin including all members of Igwe’s Cabinet and the eldest person from each of the 15 Traditional Wards in Amankwo Oghe.

10.3 Functions
The Traditional Council shall in conjunction with the Igwe carry out the functions as provided in Section 10.14 (a) – (p).

10.4 Chairman
The Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe of Amankwo Oghe shall be selected in accordance with the provisions hereunder, and shall be the Chairman of the Traditional Council.

10.5 Rotation of Igwe
The Igwe shall rotate among the three (3) Component Units in order of seniority as follows:
(a) Umuenechi;
(b) Okunito; and
(c) Enugwuagu.

10.6 Qualification of Igwe
A candidate shall qualify for nomination as Igwe of Amankwo Oghe if he is:-
(i) married;
(ii) not less than 35 years of age;
(iii) honest and of exemplary character;
(iv) literate to WASSC or its equivalent as a minimum;
(v) free from any criminal conviction by a court of law;
(vi) ordinarily interested and involved in development projects in, and general welfare of, Amankwo Oghe community;
(vii) entitled to it by reason of its rotation to his Component Unit; and
(viii) he has the broad support of his Component Unit and Amankwo Oghe Community in general.

10.7 Mode of Selection
(i) Upon the Igweship stool of Amankwo Oghe falling vacant, for any reason whatsoever, in any case not later than twelve (12) months from the date of such vacancy, the Prime Minister of Igwe’s Cabinet shall inform the Town Union who shall invite the Component Unit to which the Stool shall rotate to select and present a candidate subject to the provisions of Section 10.6 (i) – (vii) of this Constitution.

(ii) It shall be the right and privilege of the Component Unit so invited to select from among its kindred and present to the Town Union, a SINGLE candidate not later than two (2) months from the date of the invitation.

(iii) The Town Union shall not later than two (2) months from the date of the receipt of the nomination summon an emergency meeting of the General Assembly and all members of the Traditional Council to consider, confirm or reject the candidature of the nominee.

iv) Where the Component Unit fails to present a single candidate two (2) months thereafter, the Town Union shall convene a general meeting with such Component Unit to help resolve the impasse.

10.8 Referendum
If after six (6) months of the intervention of the Town Union in 10.5 (iii) above, the Component Unit still fails to present a single candidate, the Town Union shall within three (3) months conduct a REFERENDUM of all Amankwo Oghe citizens of voting age to choose an acceptable candidate from that component Unit for the Igwe.

10.9 Presentation of Igwe-Elect to the Community and the Government
The Town Union shall immediately upon confirmation of the nomination of a candidate and not later than two (2) months thereafter summon a mass meeting of all the recognized Age Grades and Traditional Wards for formal presentation of the Igwe-elect to the community. The town union shall not later than two (2) months thereafter forward the nomination in writing to the Government for formal recognition.
10.10 Installation of the Igwe
Immediately after the recognition of the Igwe by the state government, the Town Union shall, in consultation with the Igwe-elect, arrange for the ceremonial installation by the eldest Ozo title holder in the community assisted by the eldest man in the community, the Prime Minister and members of the Traditional Council.


10.11 Withdrawal of Certificate of Recognition
In the event that the Igweship stool shall fall vacant as a result of his removal from office and/or the withdrawal of recognition by the government, the term
of the Component Unit from where he hails is deemed to have been served. The Town Union shall not later than three (3) months thereafter invite the Component Unit to which the stool shall rotate to select and nominate a candidate in accordance with the provisions stipulated in 10.7 (i) – (iv) of this constitution.

10.12 Impeachment of Igwe
The Igwe shall be impeached only upon NOTICE to an Extra-ordinary General Meeting of the General assembly properly constituted whereupon the General assembly shall appoint a committee to receive any complaints against the Igwe, investigate same and report to the Town Union within a reasonable period of time as shall be determined by the General assembly.

10.13 Acting Capacity
Upon Igwe’s Stool falling vacant by death or otherwise, the Prime Minister shall act in the interim.

10.14 Functions of Igwe
The Igwe shall perform the following functions but not limited to:-
(a) Represent the town or community on ceremonial occasions;
(b) Receive important visitors to the town;
(c) Preside at community festivals and important public gatherings of the community;
(d) Act as custodian of culture, customs and traditions and advise the community on those matters including the taking of Ozo title;
(e) Assist in the maintenance of law and order in the community;
(f) Take steps to reconcile disputing parties in civil matters whether or not such matters are of the customary law of the community which the disputing parties bring to him for reconciliation;
(g) Encourage and co-operate with the Local Government Council in the community;
(h) Encourage and stimulate development projects in the community;
(i) Assist the local government of the area in the collection of taxes, rates and communal levies;
(j) Promote stability and peace in the community;
(k) Attend ad-hoc meetings of Chiefs and/or Igwes;
(l) Where he is a selected member of the State Council of Chiefs, to attend and contribute to the deliberations of the Council;
(m) Attend meetings summoned by the chairman of the local government in charge of the community for which he is appointed for the purposes of consultation and advice;
(n) Carry out such other functions, including the celebration of a ceremony commonly known as “Iwa ji”, “Ibono”, or such like
celebration by whatever name called to the exclusion of any other person not being a recognized chief in the town or community as the town or community in its constitution or code of conduct may prescribe;
(o) He shall, in conjunction with the Town Union, protect all Amankwo Oghe land and maintain good relationship with her neighbours;
(p) He shall, in consultation with the Town Union, make such Orders as necessary for the protection of crops against destruction by livestock.

10.15 Igwe’s Cabinet
There shall be Igwe’s Cabinet which shall constitute the Igwe’s
Principal Advisers and Aides among whom he shall appoint the Prime
Minister. The Prime Minister shall not be from the Component Unit that will produce the successor to the Igwe, and shall also not be from the same Component Unit as the Igwe.

10.16 Procedure for Appointment into the Igwe’s Cabinet
Each of the fifteen (15) Traditional Wards shall nominate one of its members for appointment into Igwe’s Cabinet. The nominees shall be men of wisdom, integrity and honour, and shall be conversant with the traditions and customs of the community. Eligibility to serve in the Igwe’s Cabinet shall include a minimum of First School Leaving Certificate.

10.17 Conferment of Chieftaincy Title
The Igwe shall confer chieftaincy titles on indigenes who shall have been nominated by their Wards after consultations with the Town Union, and provided further that such indigenes shall have contributed significantly to the development of the community. The recipient(s) of the chieftaincy titles shall foot the bill of the conferment as shall be determined by the Traditional Council in consultation with the Town Union.

10.18 Conferment of Chieftaincy Titles to Non-indigenes
In addition, the Igwe, in consultation with the Town Union, shall confer chieftaincy title(s) on any other citizen of Nigeria or elsewhere who has contributed meaningfully towards the development of Amankwo Oghe.

SECTION ELEVEN
AMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

11.1 Any amendment to this constitution shall be on the approval by not less than two-thirds of the registered members of the town Union, upon a substantive motion duly seconded at a properly convened and constituted meeting where such an amendment is moved, provided that :-
(i) No amendment shall be moved at an emergency meeting;
(ii) Not less than one month’s notice of the intention to move an amendment to the Constitution shall be given;
(iii) The full text of the proposed amendment shall be circulated not less than one month before the date of the motion to all the fifteen (15) Traditional Wards and Age Grades represented in the Town Union.

SCHEDULE “A”
LIST OF THE AGE GRADES IN AMANKWO OGHE

A.1 Composition
NO. AMANKWO IMEZI AMANKWO NDIAGU
1. Okafor Ugwueke
2. Onwuama Clement Amalu
3. Ejiofor Anyaoha Obieze
4. Enekwenchi Chiekpote Anyadiegwu
5. Ogueli Chiioke Okafor
6. Aniweze Akadieze Ofolezie Aniehe
7. Ukolie (Mmege) Ozochukwuemezie Chigbo
8. Aniakor (Igiri) Chiekpote Uzodife
9. Achi Eziwete Igboekwu
10. Elias Madu Onigbo Okwesili
11. Chiakwa Onwuama Mgbaji Amagbauche
12. Okolie Onuoha Anyigbo
13. Udeozor Odinelo Michael Chijioke
14. Chikelu Obueze Osmond Odezulie (Okoko)
15. Aniebo Nzekwe VC. 10.
16. Ofolezie Amuluche Godwin Ozor Anieke (Mojo)
17. Nebokike Ubenyi Felix Obueze (Akuba)
18. Ozoagu Francis Basil Anieze
19. Boniface Ozor (Onwa)
20. Augustine Ogbu
21. Goddy Ogueli

A.2 Formation of New Age Grades
Whereas there are subsisting in Amankwo Oghe fifteen(?) Age Grades as listed above, there shall be established every four (4) years from the formation of the last Age Grade, a new Age Grade into which every Amankwo Oghe son in that age bracket shall belong.

A.3 The fathers of Age Grade shall advise the Town Union when to form a new Age Grade. The Town Union shall advertise for interested persons, through the traditional wards and branches of town union (in other cities), to apply to be fathers of the New Age Grades. The Father of the Age Grade shall be of exemplary character. Also, fathering of Age Grades shall rotate among the Component Units in Amankwo Oghe.



A.4 Inauguration
The new Age Grade shall be inaugurated at a time and place as shall be determined by the Age Grade but preferably during Christmas festivities.

A.5 Resignation
(a) Any resignation from any Age Grade by member(s) shall be
communicated in writing through the Father of the Age Grade who shall forward it to the Town Union not later than one month after receipt of such letter.
(b) The Town Union shall, within two (2) months of receipt of such letter, investigate the matter and make appropriate recommendations.
(c) Any amendment to the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of any Age Grade shall be communicated in writing to the Town Union not later than three (3) months from the date of the amendment.

A.6 Non-indigenes
In exercising its power of control, the Town Union shall encourage non-indigenes resident in Amankwo Oghe to participate and contribute to the development efforts of the community.

A.7 Penalty
Pursuant to the provisions of this schedule, contravention of any of the provisions shall attract such disciplinary measures as the Town Union shall prescribe which may include fines as shall be determined by the Town Union.

SCHEDULE “B”
TRADITIONAL WARDS

B.1 Composition
Whereas there are three (3) Component Units in Amankwo Oghe, they are sub-divided into fifteen (15) Traditional Wards for all purposes including registration as members of the Town Union, to wit:-
(i) Umuenechi traditional Wards
(a) Umunonakalilo
(b) Obiagu na Ofiaogwugwu
(c) Umueshim
(d) Umuokpulukpu
(e) Umunonihe

(ii) Okunito traditional Wards
(a) Igwe na Akaja
(b) Uwani
(c) Izama na Etiti
(d) Umungwuogbe

(iii) Enugwuagu traditional Wards
(a) Dimaonyilima
(b) Dimagbala
(c) Umuovum
(d) Umualio
(e) Umuagu
(f) Anabagom

B.2 Membership
Every indigene of Amankwo Oghe son shall belong to his Traditional Ward and shall abide by its Rules and Regulations.

B.3 Functions
(i) Every Traditional Ward shall prepare and forward to the Town Union annually a comprehensive Register of her sons in and outside Nigeria.
(ii) Every Traditional Ward shall elect from its members, representatives to the Town Union.
(iii) Every Traditional Ward shall send from time to time reports of its development activities.
(iv) Every Traditional Ward shall promote the aims and objectives of the Town Union.
(v) Every Traditional Ward shall execute and implement any decision of the Town Union as shall be directed from time to time.
(vi) Every traditional Ward shall lodge a copy of its constitution/rules and
regulations to the Town Union and carry out any other functions as shall be directed by the Town Union.

SCHEDULE “C”
C1 RECOGNIZED GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS IN AMANKWO OGHE

1. Traditional Council

2. Age Grades

3. Women Organizations

4. Youth Organizations

5. Umuada Groups

6. Consultative Forum

7. Neighbourhood Watch Group


C2 CONSTITUTION DRAFT COMMITTEE MEMBERS

1. Engr. Ejike B. Anigbo __________________________________
(Chairman, Constitution Drafting Committee)

2. Engr. Silas U. Anonde _________________________________
(Secretary, Constitution Drafting Committee)

3. Mr. Innocent C. Okechukwu _____________________________
(Member)

4. Mr. Christopher Ozomma ________________________________
(Member)

5. Pastor Sylvester Ejike_____________________________________
(Member)


C3 SIGNATORIES TO THE CONFIRMATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF AMANKWO OGHE

1. President-General, Amankwo Oghe Town Union;
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

2. UmunonakaliloTraditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

3. Obiagu na Ofiaogwugwu Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

4. Umueshim Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

5. Umuokpulukpu Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

6. Umunonihe Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

7. Igwe na Akaja Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

8. Uwani Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

9. Izama na Etiti Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

10. Umungwuogbe Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

11. Dimaonyilima Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

12. Dimagbala Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

13. Umuagu Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

14. Umuovum Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

28
15. Umualio Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

16. Anabagom Traditional Ward
Name: ___________________________ Sign: _____________

APPROVAL OF THE CONSTITUTION

This Constitution shall become valid and binding if and when it is signed by the President-General and at least ten (10) of the fifteen (15) Traditional Wards in Amankwo Oghe.