By Ngozi Nwoke

They call themselves Great Friends and if the way  and manner they conducted their election at the weekend is anything to go by, they are indeed great guys.

In a peaceful and transparent manner, the Great Friends Thrift Society, which has  members in Nigeria and overseas, elected new executive officers that will pilot its affairs next year. Various positions were keenly contested and winners emerged without complaints. In fact, at the end of the exercise members congratulated themselves and rededicated themselves to their prosperity-for-all objective.

Before the commencement of the exercise, the returning officer, Chief Uche Umahi, explained that the election was meant to strengthen the leadership of the organization, not a pass of no confidence on the out-going administration.

He said: “We seek the cooperation of every member because of the importance of what we are about to do. What we are about to do does not suggest in any manner that the out-going administration did not do well. They did their best even under pressing circumstances.

“But there comes a time when positive change becomes inevitable. There is always a time to rejig the leadership architecture and that time is now.

“The people we are about to bring on board are coming to lead because all of us cannot be chairmen and secretaries at the same time. The chairman is the first among equals, nothing more than that.

“We are going to be transparent; we will provide a level playing field for all contestants. In fact, we will teach INEC how to conduct rancour-free election.”

Related News

At the end, Mazi Cyril Nkemakolam Okemuo was elected chairman. Others are Emeka Ebepusi (vice chairman),  Maxwell Sebastine (secretary), Ikechukwu Ejiofor, alias Fela (assistant secretary), Ndubuisi Chikezie (financial secretary), Bona Okwu (treasurer), Shedrack Odeigah (chief welfare officer), Ndubuisi Uwaezuoke (assistant welfare officer 1), Christopher Anopueme (assistant welfare officer 2, Dave Nwachukwu (chief provost) and Chinedu Unachukwu (assistant provost).

The new executive will assume office on first Saturday of February 2023.

In his acceptance speech, Okemuo said: “One of the essential pillars of the bye-laws of the Great Friends Thrift Society (G-Friends) is our ability to renew our executive officers from time to time to bring in new ideas and innovations to advance the fortunes of the society through adult suffrage.

“So, the process that we concluded today is not of rivalry but more of building on or reinforcing the founding philosophies of the society.  For that reason, my election today as the next chairman of G-Friends reinforces our belief in prosperity for all by promoting friendship through economic relationship, inculcation of savings culture and exchange of business and economic ideas.

“I deeply appreciate the trust reposed in me by members of G-Friends and abundant expressions of support and assurance in electing me as your next chairman. On behalf of my team as elected today, I would like to thank the outgoing chairman and his team for their stewardship to Great Friends Thrift Society.”

Okemuo promised to be fair but firm in all decisions. He said: “I will not be like barbers’ chair. We shall be resolute but our administration will have a human face. Every member will be treated equally, nobody will be denied his due. Fairness, equity and justice shall dictate every of our actions.”

Okemuo said as a group, which promotes  charitable efforts, Great Friends will increase its investment in humanity. He urged members to prepare to be their brother’s keeper on a larger scale next year.