Ata Nchomba
Houston, TX
Sons and daughters of Manyu convened in Boston, MA to hold its 12th Annual Convention during the final weekend of July 2013. The theme of this year’s convention was “Investing in Manyu through the NOMA Community Center.” Many of the conventioneers came from Arizona, Delaware, Nevada, Pensylvania, Texas and other parts of the U.S. to attend the convention with hope to know the progress of the NOMA flag ship project – NOMA Community Center.
A Cross Section of NOMA 2013 Conventioneers in Boston, MA
Dr. Samuel Ashu, the outgoing Administrative Officer (AO), reported on different phases of the center since its inception in 2010. While Dr. Egbe Mathias from Houston, TX, the head of the Building Committee, gave a presentation on the progress of the construction of the community center.
There were applauses for the near completion of the center, but questions remained as to when the entire building will be completed, so that the organization
Convention Chair, Dr Elliot Obi-Tabot in white lace and Out Going AO, Dr Ashu Samuel in blue and NOMA Board Chair, Steve Bate. Mrs. Antonia Ojongtambia
can move on to other projects. While the center is near completion, the building needs more computers, furniture, office supplies, and a steady source of power supply such as solar energy to keep the center running without interruption.
The keynote speaker of the convention, Dr. Daniel Egbe, praised members for contributing towards the completion of the center. He, however, encouraged members to donate more and look for other sources of financing NOMA projects. The speaker urged NOMA to have satellite community centers and chapters in other parts of Manyu division.
Dr Egbe Mathias in black suit, Chairman of Building Committee, Dr Elliot Obi-Tabot in the middle and Joseph Nchor, AO NOMA Houston in blue tie
Mr. Akoh Besong, Principal of Government Bilingual High School, Mamfe also added that because NOMA is not popularly known as other Manyu organizations, it will be of the organization’s interest to have a chapter in Mamfe. Mr Besong went on to say that NOMA Community Center is positioned to help High School students with their home work – especially students who are taking computer courses. However, the center
Mr Ashu James in grey suit sitting with Keynote Speaker, Dr Daniel Egbe
needs to be equipped to meet this demand.
Equipping the center requires funds. Mr. Kima Tabong, the sole candidate for NOMA AO emphasized on raising funds for current and future projects if elected. During his speech to convince the conventioneers that he was the person qualified to run the organization for the next two years, Mr. Kima told NOMA members that he will not only raise funds, but he will use his connections to increase
Newly Elected NOMA Administrative Officer Tabong Kima Sitting on the Right and Other Members of New England Chapter
membership and train young leaders within the organizations. Mr. Kima was elected the new AO of NOMA for the next two years.
As the election of the AO and other issues were finalized, the convention business day came to an end in the tone the Chairperson of the Convention, Dr. Elliot Obi-Tabot had set at the beginning — resolve issues with one objective, the goal to fine resolutions towards helping the people of Manyu.
