THE

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

IJAW PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION

(OF THE UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND)

OCTOBER 2006

PREAMBLE

WE, the Ijaw People of Nigeria, now residing in the United Kingdom & Ireland, having constituted ourselves into an association for the purpose of fostering the unity and well-being of ourselves and generations to come, do hereby solemnly enact the following as the constitution of the association.

ARTICLE 1: NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION

This association shall be known and called the ‘IJAW PEOPLE’S ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM & IRELAND’, henceforth referred to as ‘THE ASSOCIATION’ OR ‘IPA’.

ARTICLE 2: AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the Association are:

to preserve the cultural heritage of the Ijaw people;
to unify and create harmony amongst the Ijaws living in the United Kingdom and Ireland and elsewhere in the world;
to foster friendly relations amongst its members based on mutual respect, fraternity, equality and love;
to assist members in genuine financial and social problems;
to embark upon meaningful projects that will be beneficial to its people in the United Kingdom and Ijaw people in other parts of the world;
to encourage networking amongst the Ijaw people;
to build a caring and supportive community, where each individual is able to grow in their understanding and commitment to the development and advancement of Ijawland;
to promote justice, equality and social concern;
to provide a forum for Ijaw young people in the United Kingdom & Ireland and Nigeria to participate and contribute towards the progress of the Ijaw people;
to campaign against environmental pollution and degradation of Ijawland;
to defend the rights and privileges of Ijaws anywhere in the world;
to develop personal qualities of understanding others, ourselves, self-discipline, responsible maturity and integrity amongst Ijaw people in the United Kingdom & Ireland;
to co-operate with Ijaw & non-Ijaw organisations anywhere in the world that share similar aspirations with IPA;
to pursue economic and political empowerment of the Ijaw people.

ARTICLE 3: PRINCIPLES

The Association as represented by its membership believes:

that justice, equity, love and honesty are essential requirements for Ijaw Unity;
in the brotherhood, sisterhood and solidarity of the Ijaw people;
in the restructuring of the Nigerian Federation under the principles of true federalism;
in the peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians;
that our selfless service of today will inspire others to emulate us at some future date;
that action, the vision of the future and ourselves are the means by which the freedom of the Ijaw people are guaranteed;
in the use of sanctions against Ijaw leaders who persistently betray the trust of the ordinary Ijaw people;
that the collective interest of the Ijaw people is greater than that of the individual, village and clan;
that all IPA’s correspondence shall incorporate the Association’s motto ‘SERVICE BEFORE REWARD’ and the caption “IZON OTU SERI, DEIN BAI-DOU”

ARTICLE 4: MEMBERSHIP

ORDINARY MEMBERSHIP: Membership of the Association shall be open to all Ijaws, either by birth, adoption or marriage- through registration. Admission into the Association shall be sanctioned at a General Meeting. An existing active member shall formally introduce and propose the potential member for registration. Another member shall second the proposal before the applicant shall be considered. The Membership Secretary or a suitable person who is an active member, nominated by the House, shall ask the applicant to respond to specific questions that the House will consider important from time to time. Based on the responses given the applicant will be either admitted or rejected. Successful applicants shall be admitted at the General Meeting after the payment of a registration fee of £20.00 (twenty pounds) and one month’s subscription. Every new member shall be issued with a free copy of the Association’s Constitution and membership card

STUDENT MEMBERSHIP: The Association provides for student membership. In this case an individual member can apply for student membership by forwarding to the membership secretary the following items. A current admission letter from an institution of higher learning, and a letter explaining how long one will undertake the course of study. On confirmation of being a student, the said member will be eligible for an eighty percent (80%) discount on all monthly subscriptions, contributions and levies imposed on the membership. After the course of study the student member becomes or reverts back to ordinary member. The full registration fee of twenty pounds (£20) still applies if an individual is registering as a new student member.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: The Association provides for associate membership. In this case any Ijaw community organisation, other than those that have been determined by the house to be detrimental to the interests of the Ijaw People’s Association (IPA), can apply for associate membership. The Ijaw community organisation will be entitled to send one member to represent its organisation in the IPA. The Ijaw community organisation will pay a one-off registration of forty pounds (£40) and monthly subscription of ten pounds (£10). The Ijaw community organisation will be entitled to one membership vote, but cannot be elected to any of the executive offices of the association. Welfare benefits will be restricted to voluntary contributions by the IPA. determined by the house.

. An active member means, a member who has:

fully paid up monthly subscriptions, contributions and levies;
attendance of minimum of four (4) meetings in a financial year, unless there is a proven reason or reasons for the absence, which is/are acceptable to the House;
debts to the IPA not exceeding thirty pounds (£30) in any financial year, in respect of monthly subscriptions
been already in arrears, to pay up their entire outstanding amount, in respect of monthly contributions and levies, leaving no more than thirty pounds (£30) of the total debt;
non-attendance backed up by sending in an acceptable letter of apology on time, and which is subject to approval by the House;
been living outside London to still pay up their monthly contributions and levies, plus sending in a letter confirming their domicile and non-attendance due to distance.
not elapsed their membership. A membership elapses when a member persistently fails to attend four (4) consecutive meetings and persistently fails to pay up their monthly subscriptions and any contributions/levies imposed on the member by the House.

ARTICLE 5: FOUNDATION MEMBERS & ELDERS

Foundation members of the Association are those members who became members before December 1957. Elders of the Association are those members who have attained the age of 70 years or above. Elders have been exempted from paying monthly subscriptions & contributions to the Association, in recognition of their long standing contributions for the development and progress of the IPA and indeed the Ijaw community in the UK and Ireland, although voluntary donations will be accepted from them if they wish to do so.

Any outstanding monies or debts such as monthly contributions (not exceeding thirty pounds (£30) owed to the Association by Foundation Members and Elders will be written off or voided as agreed by a majority vote at a monthly general meeting. But an Elder’s pre-70th birthday debts are not exempted from financial amnesty under this provision.

ARTICLE 6: PATRONS

The Association shall appoint Patrons. The Patrons shall be appointed on the basis of their altruistic service to the United Kingdom Ijaw Community, achievements based on honesty, hard-work and contributions to the economic and political development of the Ijaw Nation.

The Patrons of the Association shall serve as advisers and shall provide support to the Association to meet its stated aims and objectives. The Patrons of the Association shall be five (5) and shall include a minimum of two (2) women. Their names shall be printed on all IPA Publications such as booklets, calendars and dairies. Patrons have been exempted from paying monthly subscriptions & contributions to the Association, in recognition of their long standing contributions for the development and progress of the IPA and indeed the Ijaw Community in the UK and Ireland, although voluntary donations will be accepted from them if they wish to do so.

Like Foundation Members and Elders, any outstanding monies or debts such as monthly contributions (not exceeding thirty pounds (£30) owed to the Association by the Patrons will be written off or voided as agreed by a majority vote of a monthly general meeting.

ARTICLE 7: COUNCIL OF ELDERS

The Association shall appoint a Council of Elders. The Council of Elders shall comprise of chiefs and elders of the Association & those outside the Association of Ijaw origin who believe in the aims and objectives of the Association. The Executive Committee of the Association shall nominate persons for appointment into the Council. The members at a General Meeting shall approve such nominations.

The Council of Elders shall meet half-yearly with the Executive Committee of the Association to advise, brainstorm and initiate plans of action with a view to achieving the aims and objectives of the Association. The Council of Elders shall function as a Reconciliatory Panel when there are major differences, or disputes within the Executive Committee or between members of the Association, or members of the Ijaw Community who wish the intervention of the Council of Elders in their disputes to effect reconciliation.

The Council shall also serve in an advisory capacity to the Association. The Council shall be responsible for the promotion of Ijaw culture and tradition.

Any member of the Council of Elders who behaves disgracefully, brings the name of the Association to disrepute, or acts in a manner to the detriment of the Ijaw Nation, will be removed from the Council by a majority vote of the House.

ARTICLE 8: OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION AND THEIR DUTIES

The officers of the Association that make up the Executive Committee shall comprise of: the President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Youth Publicity & Social Secretary, Membership Secretary, Housing Officer, Assistant Housing Officer, Welfare Officers (x2).

PRESIDENT: The President shall be the head of the Association, and shall preside over all General and Executive Meetings. He/she shall have the power to summon an Emergency General Meeting after due consultation with the General Secretary. He/she shall, together with the General Secretary sign all adopted minutes. He/she shall together with the General Secretary and the Treasurer sign all vouchers and orders of the Association’s treasury. He/she shall, together with either the General Secretary or the Treasurer, sign all withdrawals from the Association’s bank account. He/she shall perform all other duties pertaining to the office of President.

VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President shall act for the President in the absence of the latter. He/she shall also perform such duties as may be delegated or assigned to him/her by the President or the Association respectively.

GENERAL SECRETARY: The General Secretary shall be the head of the Association’s Secretariat and shall be the custodian of the Association’s books and records. He/she shall conduct all correspondence as may be required, issue circulars for meetings and prepare the order of business for each meeting. In the event of non-circulation of the agenda for a meeting, he/she shall read out the agenda at the opening of that meeting. He/she shall take minutes at all general, emergency and executive meetings, and cause same to be kept in the proper books provided for that purpose. He/she shall read previous minutes to the House, and with the President, sign all adopted minutes. He/she shall together with the President and Treasurer sign all vouchers and orders on the Association’s treasury, and shall together with either the President or Treasurer sign all withdrawals from the Association’s banker. He/she shall keep a Membership Register. He/she shall act on the directions of the Executive Committee on any matter including urgent ones. He/she shall exercise some measures of discretionary powers and rights in dealing with certain correspondence, in the interest of the Association. He/she shall co-ordinate the activities of the various standing and Ad Hoc Committees. In the event of resignation or dismissal, the General Secretary shall immediately hand over to the President or his/her nominee or that of the General Meeting, all records, files and other property of the Association in his/her possession. The General Secretary shall prepare an inventory of all property belonging to the Association.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY: The Assistant General Secretary shall act for the General Secretary in the absence of the latter. He/she shall perform such duties as may be delegated or assigned to him/her by the General Secretary or the House respectively. He/she shall act as the co-ordinator of events and activities of IPA, and ensures at all times that there are no clashes of dates and venues of IPA events and appropriate time scales are observed between two or more events.

TREASURER: The Treasurer shall receive all monies for and on behalf of the Association. He/she shall submit all records of receipt of monies during the intervals of two General Meetings. He/she shall also submit statements of account on the imprest of £100.00 (one hundred pounds). He/she shall tender at any General Meeting all bills due for payment in order to obtain formal authority to pay them. He/she shall pay into the Association’s bank account within a week any monies collected for the Association.

The Treasurer shall be expected to keep accurate records of all receipts and payments on behalf of the Association. He/she shall co-operate with the Financial Secretary in compiling records for the interest of the Association. The Treasurer shall together with the President and the General Secretary sign all vouchers and orders of the Association’s Treasury, and shall together with either the President or the General Secretary sign all withdrawals from the Association’s banker. He/she shall render a proper Income and Expenditure account, and prepare a balance sheet of the assets and liabilities of the Association annually. The breakdown of the monthly one hundred pounds (£100.00) imprest or petty cash is as follows:

thirty pounds (£30) for the secretariat;
seventy pounds (£70) Executive Emergency Fund;
the Petty Cash is to be with the Treasurer.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: The Financial Secretary shall collect monies due to the Association and pay to the Treasurer promptly. He/she shall not spend any monies on his/her own accord. He/she shall keep accurate records of his/her receipts and payments to the Treasurer, which shall be presented in every general meeting.

PUBLICITY & SOCIAL SECRETARY: He/she shall serve as the publicity machinery for the Association about its existence, aims and objectives. He/she shall be responsible for organising social events on behalf of the Association and the yearly production of the Association’s calendar & diaries. He/she shall also be responsible for organising events for the Ijaw Youth and act as a liaison officer between the Association and the Youths in the absence of a Youth Leader. He/she together with the Membership Secretary shall actively encourage Ijaw young people to join the IPA.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: The Membership Secretary shall have overall responsibility in overseeing the Association’s machinery for membership drive. He/she shall write periodically to remind every known Ijaw organisation in the United Kingdom and Ireland, of the IPA’s existence, and their members’ eligibility to join the Association as individuals if they so choose to do so.

HOUSING OFFICER: The Housing Officer shall have overall responsibility of managing the property at 18 Strahan Road. He/she must make sure that all outstanding maintenance work is brought to the notice of the House. He/she shall be responsible for maintenance and repair works, collecting the rent due and paying it into the Association’s Bank Account.

ASSISTANT HOUSING OFFICER: The Assistant Housing Officer shall assist the Housing Officer in the above duties. He/she shall perform the outlined duties in the event of the absence of the Housing Officer.

WELFARE OFFICERS (X2): The Welfare officers shall be responsible for bringing to the attention of the Association, of members who are in distress, and on behalf of the Association intervene in social and welfare problems affecting members individually and collectively.

YOUTH OFFICER: The Youth Officer shall be responsible for organising the Ijaw youth/children in any event, visit, sightseeing, language and cultural sessions; will initiate and /or put forward proposals concerning Ijaw young people to the general meeting for final discussion and/or approval; organise/co-ordinate cultural and social programmes for young people in conjunction with other interested parties; always endeavouring to, protect and/or safeguard the welfare, progress, rights, interests, desires, needs and wants of the youth and children of Ijaw; identify young people’s skills and potentials and report back to the general meeting with a view to satisfying those needs, improving and/or developing those skills and potentials, help to provide training and educational services for the Ijaw young people; introduce and recommend provisions/improvement of facilities for young people, liaise with the relevant agencies and fundraise.

PROTOCOL OFFICER: The Protocol Officer shall be responsible for formal arrangements for visitors and guests of the Ijaw People’s Association. This includes the formal reception and send-off of guests and visitors at travel points such as bus, train, taxi stations and airports; the booking of hotels/guest houses and arranging accommodation and transportation if need be for such guests and visitors. He/she shall be responsible for the formulation of rules and correct behaviour of the IPA and its members on official assignments and official/ceremonial occasions.

ARTICLE 9: REGULATOR

The Association shall appoint a Regulator. The Regulator shall ensure that at all times, that general meeting resolutions and agreements are implemented within the appropriate time frame; he/she shall be the watchdog of the Executive Officers’ compliance with their constitutional responsibilities. The Regulator shall liaise with the Internal Affairs (Legal, Scrutiny & Audit) Committees in carrying out their duties

ARTICLE 10: COMMITTEES

The effective and efficient running of the Association’s affairs shall be carried out through committees. The overall responsibility of managing the Association shall be entrusted to the Executive Committee.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: This committee shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the General Secretary, the Assistant General Secretary, the Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, the Youth Publicity & Social Secretary, Housing Officers, Welfare Officers, Membership Secretary and Youth Leader, plus three unofficial members. Each of the three unofficial members shall be appointed on the basis of their profession. The Officials of the Association shall be elected at an Annual General Meeting (AGM), while the unofficial members shall be appointed at the first general meeting following the AGM. The life span of this committee shall be twelve calendar months, commencing in April and ending in March. The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the Association. It shall have power to co-opt any member whenever necessary, provided such co-option is brought to the next General Meeting for ratification by the House. It shall have power to recommend to the House the expulsion or suspension or fine or any other punitive action deemed appropriate and just, of any member whose actions, behaviour or expression is considered to be inimical to the interests of the Association. It shall act on behalf of the Association in any emergency and later report its actions to the House at the next general meeting.

STANDING COMMITTEES: For the sake of expediency, Standing Committees namely Finance, Housing, Audit, Legal, Welfare & Social Committees shall be established and members appointed at the AGM.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: It shall comprise of the Treasurer, who shall be the Chairperson, the Financial Secretary and three other members. At least one of the three other members, shall be appointed on the basis of his/her experience or knowledge on financial issues - It shall consider and recommend to the House any single item of expenditure involving over thirty pounds (£30.00), other than Government or Local Council bills, vital urgent repairs to the Association’s house(s) and rates. It shall also tackle all financial problems of the Association.
HOUSING COMMITTEE: It shall comprise of the two Housing Officers, the General Secretary, and three (3) other unofficial members. The Chairperson shall be the Housing Officer. It shall see to the upkeep of the Association’s property or properties in future. It shall carry out minor repairs and to provide or replace furniture not exceeding fifty pounds (50.00). It shall recommend eviction and rental matters to the House for action. It shall also handle other allied problems pertaining to the Association’s present house(s) and other housing-related issues.

AUDIT & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: It shall consist of at least two (2) members but not more than five (5) members, one of whom must be the Regulator. It shall be called upon by the Executive Committee, the General Meeting (House) or act on its own initiative to audit the Associations Accounts and scrutinise the Executive Committee, and other Standing Committees’ activities. It shall give two (2) reports, one to the AGM and to the House annually.
LEGAL COMMITTEE: It shall consist of at least two (2) members, but not exceeding five (5) members, drawn from the Association’s general membership - It shall appoint, with the approval of a simple majority vote at a general meeting, person or persons with legal expertise, including non-members of the Association, to strengthen its legal profile. It shall be called upon by the Executive Committee, the House or act on its own initiative to deal with the Association’s legal issues.
WELFARE COMMITTEE: The Welfare Committee shall consist of the Welfare Officer who shall be the Chairperson, the Assistant Welfare Officer and three (3) other members. It shall be responsible for visiting individual members who may be in distress, expressing the Association’s condolences to members of the Association and the Ijaw Community at large who may experience bereavements, and also intervene in other social and welfare issues affecting members individually and collectively.
SOCIAL & PUBLICITY COMMITTEE: This Committee shall consist of 5 members, of which the Chairperson shall be the Publicity & Social Secretary. Four (4) other members shall include the Treasurer, who will act solely as a financial advisor of the committee, and two (2) unofficial members. It shall be responsible for arranging trips, receptions, send-off ceremonies, dances and fund-raising events etc. The Social & Publicity Committee shall also be responsible for gathering and disseminating information relevant to the IPA & wider Ijaw community.
CHARITY COMMITTEE: This Committee shall consist of 5 members, of which the chairperson shall be appointed from amongst the members. The Committee shall administer all affairs relating to the Izon People’s Association Charity. The Charity Committee shall submit quarterly reports to the House annually. The House shall have the power to co-opt members into the Charity Committee as and when needed.

ARTICLE 11: ELECTION OF OFFICERS

All officers of the Ijaw People’s Association shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which shall be held on the first Sunday of April of each year. The elections of officers shall be preceded by the submission of the Annual Report by the Chairperson of the outgoing Executive Committee, the Annual Report by the General Secretary; the Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report, as well as the last report of the Audit & Scrutiny Committee. Elections shall be by secret ballot, and shall be conducted by a Returning Officer appointed by the House.

Bye-elections shall be held within one (1) month of any office becoming vacant. Elections shall be by secret ballot, and shall be conducted by a Returning Officer appointed by the House.

ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE: The Eligibility conditions shall be set out as follows:

any member whose attendance within a year falls below one-third (1/3) of the number of general meetings held, shall not be eligible to vote and be voted for;
any member who registers at an AGM or in a general meeting in which a by-election is to be conducted shall not be eligible to vote or be voted for, if it is proven that the person concerned has been in the UK for at least six (6) calendar months;
only financial and active members shall stand for the posts of President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer & Financial Secretary;
no member shall occupy the office of presidency for more than four years consecutively, although he/she may seek another term(s) of office after a year’s rest/recuperation.
In circumstances where the House agrees that the incumbent should continue to serve in the capacity of President of the Association, the House’s decision, arrived at by majority vote shall override Article 11, section iv of the constitution.

ARTICLE 12: MEETINGS

The meetings of the Association shall be:

The General Meetings.
The Executive Committee Meetings.
The Standing Committee Meetings.
The Emergency Meetings.
The Ad Hoc Committee Meetings.

GENERAL MEETING: It shall be attended by all registered members of the Association. Observers may be allowed to attend, and may speak with the permission of the Chairperson, but shall not vote on any issue. Voting shall be by a show of hands. Decisions taken at a general meeting shall be binding on all members. No decision taken at a general meeting shall be rescinded or amended at the same meeting. No decision involving important issues of finance or policy shall be rescinded at any meeting unless by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of eligible members present at the meeting when the question of rescission is being considered. The General Meeting or House shall formulate plans and make suggestions for officers, the Executive Committee, and standing and Ad Hoc Committees to carry out. It shall have power to ratify or veto any proposals and decisions of the Executive Committee - General Meetings shall be held on every first (1st) Sunday of each month. All General Meetings shall last for two (2) hours and shall commence at 1400 hours (2.00pm) and end at 1600 hours (4.00pm). Seven (7) registered members shall form a quorum. Any meeting that fails to form a quorum within 30 minutes of the stipulated commencement time of 1400 hours shall be cancelled. The Chairperson can, with the approval of a simple majority vote extend the two-hour time limit in order to ensure that important or crucial items of the day’s business are adequately dealt with before adjournment. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall not last for more than four (4) hours, and shall commence at 1300 hours (1.00pm) and finish at or before 1700 hours (5.00pm). Thirteen (13) registered members shall form a quorum for the AGM. If within one (1) hour of the stipulated start time of the AGM the required quorum is not formed, the AGM shall be cancelled.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING: The Executive Committee shall meet prior to every monthly general meeting. A quorum shall be five (5) members. In the event of a member of this committee failing to attend three (3) consecutive committee meetings without apologies, he/she shall be deemed to have resigned. Any Executive Committee member who fails to attend three (3) general meetings consecutively without written notice or apologies shall relinquish or be relieved of their post.
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS: A Standing Committee shall meet at least once every three months. Standing Committees shall present at least two (2) reports, with recommendations where appropriate, annually. Such reports shall be accorded initial Executive Committee consideration prior to presentation at a general meeting - Fifty percent (50%) of the members (one hundred percent (100%) or one (1), in the case of a two (2) member committee) shall form a quorum of any standing committee meetings.
EMERGENCY MEETING: Emergency meetings shall be summoned for General, Executive and Standing Committee meetings when an occasion demands. In each case, the notice shall not be less than two days, exceptional emergency general meetings, which shall not be less than four (4) days notice in writing.
AD HOC COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Ad Hoc committees of between three (3) and five (5) members shall be commissioned on the advice of the Executive Committee or the House to deliberate on matters of interest to the Association. Such committees shall be disbanded after submission of a report for which the committee was established.

EFFECTS OF ABSENCE OF QUORUM: Any meeting, normal, emergency or AGM shall commence as soon as the required quorum is formed. If within thirty (30) minutes (general meeting) or one (1) hour (all other meetings) of the time scheduled for the meeting, a quorum is absent, the meeting shall be cancelled.

ARTICLE 13: DISSOLUTION

The Ijaw People’s Association shall not dissolve itself except on a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote in a postal poll of all registered active members, and provided that all debts and liabilities lawfully incurred on behalf of the Association have been discharged and the remaining funds, if any, devoted to a purpose or purposes decided upon in a general meeting.

ARTICLE 14: AMMENDMENTS

The monthly general meetings of the Ijaw People’s Association shall have power to alter, vary, repeal, or add to any or all provisions of this Constitution, Rules & Regulations, provided two-thirds (2/3) of the registered active members present at a general meeting in which notice has been given specifying the intention to propose such new rule(s) or amendment(s).

RULES & REGULATIONS

FUNDS: The funds of the Association shall be made available for the purposes of achieving the aims and objectives of the Association as defined and subject to these rules and regulations. All funds of the Association, other than the one hundred (£100) with the Treasurer, shall be deposited with the Association’s banker. The funds of the Association shall be derived from the following sources namely, registration fees, rents, levies, donations, contributions, bank interest, fines and subscriptions. All expenditures incurred and payments made shall be backed by adequate authority. Any withdrawals by cheque or otherwise from the bank account of the Association shall be signed by the Trustees of the Association
TRUSTEES: The Trustees of the Association shall be the President, the General Secretary and the Treasurer. The trustees shall hold all the properties of the Association subject to the direction of the House. The three (3) trustees shall sign all the important documents belonging to the Association. The trustees shall have the power to borrow or raise funds for and on behalf of the Association (IPA), but the specific amount that can be borrowed is subject to approval by the House (general meeting) of which the borrowing is itemised on the agenda.
BANKER: The banker of the Association shall be the Barclays Bank plc. The funds of the Association shall not be deposited with any other bank not authorised by the Association.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: There shall be monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually subscriptions. Furthermore, should funds be inadequate to undertake any project, the Association shall impose a levy or solicit donations etc., to meet the demand at a general meeting. The monthly subscription shall be five pounds (£5) for male members and three pounds (£3) female members.
HOLDING OF THE ASSOCIATIONS PROPERTY: All officers of the Association who relinquish their offices whether by resignation, leave of absence, suspension, expulsion, etc., shall be required to deliver all monies, books, papers, records or other property entrusted to their care by virtue of their offices or appointments. A time frame of six (6) weeks shall be the time limit required for any officer, leaving office, to return the Association’s properties, documents etc in his/he possession. The Association shall take any appropriate action it deems fit, against any officer who embezzles, misappropriates or fails to hand over on vacating his/her office all monies, books, papers, records or other properties of the Association. Appropriate action shall be taken against any occupant (including members of the Association), of the Association’s house(s) for improper use and/or damage to any property within the premises.
FISCAL YEAR & ANNUAL EVENTS: The Fiscal year of the Association shall be from 1st April to 31st March the following year. The Association shall commemorate four (4) main events annually-namely: Isaac Boro Day, which shall take place in the first week after the 18th of May. Foundation Members/Fundraiser Day which shall take place in late August. The Odi/Kaiama Remembrance Day, which shall take place in November. And an End of Year Party, which shall take place in December. The Association can combine events if need be and choose a date to hold such a combination event. Also the association does not necessarily have to hold all four events in a given year.
DELINQUENCY: Any member of the Association shall be presumed delinquent when he/she fails to carry out his/her duties and assignments authorised by the House. This also includes officers as well as members who fail on several occasions to attend meetings and deputations without genuine excuses. They may be suspended and lastly, be expelled after having been given fair opportunities to present their case to the House. Such situations shall determine the fate of members in the consideration of benefits enjoyable from the Association.
BREACHES: A member is guilty of a breach of order if he/she:
flouts the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Association, e.g. assuming titles unknown to the Constitution, Rules and Regulations or assuming offices to which one was not elected or appointed;
becomes drunk before attending meetings, displays disorderly behaviour and uses abusive language at meetings;
carries about false information or propaganda intending to injure the reputation of the Association or any member of the Association;
acts disrespectfully to the Association or to any member at meetings;
gives wrong information to any member with intent to deceive or mislead;
defrauds the Association;
bears false witness against other member(s);
uses physical violence at meetings;
leaves a meeting in anger or without the permission of the Chairperson;
refuses to comply with a decision of the House or the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Association;
acts as a traitor of the Association in any manner or form;
uses objectionable words and refuses to withdraw them or offer a satisfactory apology;
uses offensive language with reference to another member(s);
wilfully disturbs the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting;
acts in any way detrimental to the interests of the Association;
disobeys any lawful order or ruling by Chairperson.
Persistently does not pay or avoids paying monthly subscriptions, contributions and levies.

Any member who commits a breach of order may, on being declared by the Chairperson to be guilty of disorderly conduct, be punished on resolution of the House, by being:

reprimanded;
fined;
ejected from the meeting;
suspended from attending meetings for a period to be determined by a specially commissioned ad hoc committee;
removed from office, and/or;
expelled from the Association with ignominy.
FINES: Fines shall range from five pounds (£5) to ten pounds (£10), depending upon the circumstances and the gravity of the case. The Chairperson shall determine the amount, which must be supported by a majority vote.

BENEFITS: Active members who have been members of the Association (IPA ) for one (1) year or more, starting from the date they registered, shall enjoy the following benefits:

FINANCIAL ADVANCES: Financial advances shall be granted to members who may have genuine financial problems without interest. In each case, the loan shall be subject to a written application being submitted by the member wanting it, which shall be approved by a simple majority vote at a general meeting - Two acceptable sureties who themselves shall be active members, shall be required. Conditions of refund shall be determined through a recommendation by the Finance Committee to the House, which shall approve such recommendations - No second loan shall be allowed until repayment of the first one is completed.

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES BETWEEN MEMBERS: The Association shall see to it that disputes between members are settled amicably. The Welfare Committee shall handle such cases and refer back to the House where necessary. The Council of Elders shall be the final authority to which disputes between members can be referred to within the Association. Also the Association shall try to settle misunderstandings or confusion within members’ families where possible.

FUNERAL EXPENSES: The Association shall be responsible for any financial expenses arising from the death of an active member, which may not be covered by the provisions of the Department of Social Security of the British Government. The Association shall bury an active and financial member with full honours in the United Kingdom - the phrase full honours means, in practice, after consultation with the deceased’s next of kin to:

liaise with next of kin and undertake internment matters;
wake-keeping;
nature of internment;
last-respects, going to the graveside of the cemetery for the internment.
levy thirty pounds (£30) as individual membership levy from members towards the cost of the burial. If thirty pounds (£30) levy is not enough, the House has the power to increase the levy to forty pounds (£40) or fifty pounds (£50) depending on the circumstances.

WELFARE BENEFITS: If a member has fallen ill, a close relative has died, has given birth, got married, or any other occasion that warrants the help, presence and participation of the IPA and its members, the welfare office shall get in touch and visit the member on behalf of the Association. The Association shall send a greeting card, buy drinks appropriate to the circumstances, call upon its members to attend the occasion and make voluntary financial contributions if the circumstances warrant it. The Association shall give due consideration to other benefits, which may not have been covered by the above scheme.

With regards to individual Ijaws who are not active members of the IPA, or have been in the IPA for less than one year, the Association shall bring it to the attention of the House as to the circumstances that warrants the help, presence and participation of IPA members, and if a voluntary financial contribution will be made in such situations. All benefits to be enjoyed will be at the discretion of the House.

FORFEITURE OF BENEFITS & CLAIMS: Any member who decided to discontinue his/her membership of the Association or being expelled from the Association forfeits all subscriptions, contributions, levies, donations as well as all rights and privileges he/she should otherwise have benefited from the Association. Any of the above benefits shall be reduced in proportion to any monies owed to the Association by the deceased member.

LETTING OUT FLATS: The Association’s house any future houses shall be let out to both members and non-members on temporary basis, under mutual agreement between the Association and the would-be tenant. This would be handled initially by the Housing Committee subject to approval in a general meeting. The weekly rent shall be subject to periodical reviews, and shall be determined by the Housing Committee.

RULES OF DEBATE: The following rules of debate shall be adhered to by all members of the Association to ensure order and good behaviour:
the Chairperson shall be heard in silence;
when the Chairperson speaks, any member who was speaking must be seated;
the ruling of the Chairperson on any question under the rules and regulations shall be final unless two-thirds (2/3) of the members present votes to the contrary;
the chairperson has the right to call to order, permit or disallow the continuation of a speech if he/she considers the speech to be either out of order out of point;
no member shall speak until the Chairperson has given his/her permission;
every speaker addressing the Association’s meeting should stand, except the Chairperson permits him/her to sit down;
speakers should not make personal attacks in speeches, or input improper motives when speaking;
all speeches should be directed to the chair;
if two or more members indicate their intention to speak at the same time, the Chairperson shall decide who shall speak first;
any member can raise a point of order, but the Chairperson’s decision on a point of order or explanation shall be final;
all motions shall be proposed and seconded, and the Chairperson may require any motion or amendment to be in writing if he/she wishes, depending upon the circumstances of the motion;
voting may be by a show of hands or by secret ballot as may be ruled by the Chairperson. The Chairperson shall only exercise his/her casting vote when votes tie;
no member shall take part in the discussion of, or vote on, any matter or motion in which he/she, directly or indirectly, has a personal interest;
the ruling on whether or not a member has a personal interest in a matter under discussion shall be given by the Chairperson;
any item on the agenda of a general meeting shall be allowed thirty (30) minutes maximum discussion time. This time limit shall be extended or discussion of the topic shall be deferred to the next general meeting in the interest of topic comprehension and overall efficiency in time management, provided a simple majority vote is obtained for either or both actions;
A single Annual Report (not separate reports) shall be produced for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) by the outgoing executive committee. Copies of this Annual Report shall be ready and made available to every registered member prior to that meeting (AGM) in which such reports are expected to be discussed.
The chair of the any Constitution Review Committee shall be called upon to sit with the chair of the House to conduct the debate of the draft constitution under review.

CONFLICT BETWEEN THE CONSTITUTION, RULES & REGULATIONS: In the event of any conflict between the Constitution and the Rules & Regulations, the Constitution shall prevail.

AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, RULES & REGULATIONS: The Monthly or Emergency General Meeting of the Association shall have power to alter, vary, repeal, add to, or amend any or all of the provisions of the Constitution, Rules & Regulations, provided two-thirds (2/3) of the registered active members present at a general meeting of which notice has been given specifying the intention to propose such new rule(s) or amendment(s).

DISSOLUTION: The Ijaw People’s Association shall dissolve itself except on a three-quarters (3/4) majority vote of registered active members present in a General Meeting called for that purpose after giving at least one month’s notice; and provided that debts and liabilities lawfully incurred on behalf of the Association have been discharged and the remaining funds, if any, devoted to a purpose or purposes decided upon by the General Meeting.

1st Drafted in the City of London on 22nd November 1975. The following members made up the Constitution Drafting committee:

Mr LA Oki
Mr LO Dorgu
Mr FK Ajih
Mr MR Emeledoh
Mr Fred Agugu
Mr LG Okorodudu - President (Ex-officio Member)

2nd amendment completed on 9th October 1988. The following members made up the Constitution Review Committee:

Mr BO Kansese
Mr DE Whyte
Mr PCW Seikegba
Mr A Sampou
Mr E Dorgu

3rd amendment completed on 16th March 2003. The following members made up the Constitution Review Committee:

Mr Beni Kansese (Chair)
Dr Richard Angiama
Mr Nathan Henry
Mr Dadikumo Toikumo
Ms Edith Akenkide
Mr Rowland Ekperi
Mrs Edna Knight
Prince Emman Amgbaduba

4th and 5th amendments ratified on 1st October 2006 General Meeting by the HOUSE:

1. Peter Okorodudu
2. Inemo Samiama
3. S.P Edonya
4. Tamara Hobobo
5. Timi Sikpi
6. Elizerbeth Okorodudu.
7. Beni Kenesese
8. Prince Efere
9. Tariere Rosemary Nagberi
10. Elizerbeth Tuburu
11. Barbara T. Odisi
12. Andrew Pinneh
13. Tony Biegbudu
14. Eva Amgbare
15. Justice M, Livingstone
16. Sam James Miriki Hebden