DE IMPERIAL ....oNE FAMILY
DE IMPERIAL
DE IMPERIAL
... ONE FAMILY
.. LIVING FOR HUMANITY
Alas, the man, it appears, is overawed.
Yet, the leader, in him, overcomes.
-Mgbologwuinyi (the Ibo sage)
It is with immense sense of gratitude to God, for journeying graces, and sincere appreciation, thatI welcome one and all, to yet another gathering of our Presi dential Advisory Council deliberations, in the lush and pristine city of Uyo. I am, indubitably, enthused, by your demonstrable display ofduty and sacrifice as we, as a colle ctive, strive to stoically retain the very essence, integrity and qrund-num of our Humanitarian Crest and Ethos,especially, in these times of ill-dige sted opposition and nay-sayer conspiracies.
Once again, distinguished council members, I salute your unalloyed support, loya lty and ideological tenacity, to our leadership Road-map.
As an institution that has experienced phenomenally admirable growth and accomplishment spreadsheet, within a span of about four years, I am,truly, unsurprised, or fazed, by recent offerings of treachery, subterfuge,egregious disloyalty, exhibited by those we thought were "counted in our number".
This is so, because the velocity of our global spread, reach and philanthropy, was so unexpected, unprecedented and benumbing, that nay-sayers, who predicted a ("still-birth)" story, for DE IMPERIAL PHILANTHROPIC FAMILY (DIPF), have been thrown into panic and turmoil, seeing what has become of DIPF, in just a few years, and its capacity to assume a Global Humanita rian Status and Stature, in the hue of the Ford and Carniege Foundations, of this world. Indeed, as we heroically, assume residency, and commence administrative operations from our ultra Modern DIPF HOUSE, at the end of this Presidential Advisory Council Meeting, the next level of our well articulated growth and development compass. So far, it must be placed on record, that, you, esteemed Council Members, together with our indefatigable loyal and principled members, locally and in Diaspora, are the drivers of our sterling trajectory.
I will, therefore, enjoin all, to be rest assured of our irrevocable commitment, as DIPF EXEC UTIVE COMMITTEE to, unstoppably, steer the ship of our collective visi on and cause, toward elegant global humanitarian standards.
I make bold to state, predicta bly, that, before too long, not a few"prodigals" shall return to the fold. Why?, No man, seeing a cheery crowd of merry-makers, at a royal installation party, sensibly, retains his seat at a place of mourning.
Estee med Advisory Council Members, the foregoing is a condensed State-of-DIPF, as touching on recent developments. The wind, of a truth, blew; causalities were made of the fickle-minded. Yet, like a house hemmed in a rock, DIPF stands, unshaken, unbroken and unmoved. If anything, DIPF is set to break and conquer new grounds.
My opening quotation, from a renowned Ibo sage (mgbol ogwuinyi) captures my disposition to leadership. As president, with the unparalled support of my brothers, on the Executive Committee, I have received stabs of insults, accusations and personal affronts, from those, who, hitherto, I shared food and water with. Conspiracy theories were woven, with crass credulity, just to undermine, overawe and crush our spirit.
Thankfully, with the unalloyed support, wise counsel and conviction of council members, here gathered, the Executive Committee and I, have only been recharged, re-jigged and rereated to etch DIPF on National And Global Plaques, as an Institutional Humanitarian and Philanthropic
Reference Hub.
Going forward, dear Council Members, it is my earnest desire, as we engage in the next couple of days, that we chart a clear template, in regards to our forthcoming 4h Annual General Meeting (AGM) in October.
A retrospective overview of our sterling Key Performance Index (KPI), will reveal that, they came about through bold, courageous and futuristic decisions, emanating from the Presidential Advisory Council. May we,
therefore, replicate our usua lly robust deliberations, during our stay in this Pristine City. By way of a direction priniple, we have, here following,articulated cardi nal issues for your esteemed processing and critical dissection:
First, as you are aware, our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled to hold, in Lagos, Nigeria, from 28" October to 20 November. As platform for the large st assemblage of our local and diaspora membership, the forthcoming AGM, like the ones before it, challenges our sense of duty, with a view to ensuring that it is a superlative success.
It is our expectation that, in the cause of our brain-storming, a post-morte m of the last edition will be conducted in order to identify aspects needing re-jigging and retooling. In my personal rule book, higher bars of accomplishments should trounce any previous laurels. I am to, therefore,plead for a convergence of purpose in this regard.
Second, leveraging on our enviable stature and capacities, in just four years, it is gladdening to report that, our new state-of-the-Art Corpora Office, located in high brow Lekki Phase1, Lagos, is ready for unveiling. We hope to chisel out a series of programmes, heralding our incomparable status.
Third, we will be sharing thoughts as Statutory Stan ding Committee present their Reports. These Reports are vital for the sustained operationalisation of our shared goals and aspirations as a body.
Fourth, it is expected that we, thoroughly discuss mechanisms for the execution of the next batch of the DIPF Scholarship Scheme, aimed at growing the number of beneficiaries to Five Hundred Students, by September, 2024. Giving the ariticality of this laudable Humanitarian Initiative, it is most compeling to, clearly, define Funding Modalities.
Fifth, the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) is enjoined to re-evaluate our Social Events, with a view to escalating its ultimate expectations.
Sixth, whereas, DIPF, from inception, considers Education as the pivot upon which every layer of Human Capital revolves, it is expected that, we
deli be rate urgently, on commencing the building of School Blocks, in the
Five South Eastern States, once Regulatory, Governmental and Prototype
Authorizations and Approvals, are Seaured.
Seventh, the need to initiate, and set timelines for take-off of DIPF Legacy
Projects. In this wise, it is expe cted that preliminary interfaces with
Southeast Governors, with regard to enlisting their political "buy-in"
commence, "pronto".
Eight, Council is called upon to strengthen our Credo and Ethos, as verging
on Loyalty, Genuine Commitment and Unalloyed Disposition to our
Collective Vision and Mission. Events, in recent times, attempted to thaw
the cohes ion within the DIPF as a form idable, united body. Thankful ly, our
iron-clad will, and convictions, weakened, and floored the ill-conceived
"insurrection".
Finaly, whilst this distinguished council peers through the General State of
Affairs, in our beloved organization, it is also expected that, council consider a proposition for the Review of Annual Dues. This Propos ition is anchored on the spiking inflationary reality, in Nige ria, which, constantly pokes at the real value of our commonwealth, particularly as we are set to introduce the DIPF Education Trust-Fund.
Esteemed Council Members, as I conclude this address, I wish to remind us that, we have set, for ourselves tall and ambitious Bars. We have placed our hands on the plough and looking back is not an option.
As president, working with a team of highly resourceful Executive Committee members, I am unmoved by snide remarks, pockey tantrums and loose tongues of ill-motivated "black legs", who have, expectedly,exited our fold. Throughout history, all successes are, oftentimes, greeted with envy, hostility and egregious tale-bearing. Regardless, leadership is made of the stuff of resilience, focus, grit and hunger for greater exploits.
We, together, stand at the threshold of yet, another historic triumph with our Legacy Investment Projects, Education Trust Fund, Strategic Poverty Alleviation Initiatives, across Southeast Nigeria, among several premium deliverables.
I stand before you, therefore, to reaffirm, re-enlist and reassure this esteemed Advisory Council, of my total resolve to steer the ship of DE IMPERIAL PHILANTHROPIC FAMILY (DIPF) to unimaginable heights,notwithstanding the antics of nay-sayers.
All I ask is your unequivocal support and Concurrence.
May God continue to watch over us and all we stand for.
I wish you happy deliberations.
Thank you for your kind attention
HIGH CHIEF DR. SIR
NWABUNIKE DARLINGTON (KSC), B.SC, MBA,
FISMMN, ISMMN, PFD
(EZE NWAKAIBEYA OGBABALU AKU N' ANWU OJOTO)
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
DE IMPERIAL PHILANTHROPIC FAMILY
Ikot Ekpene, Akwaibom.
13th July, 2024
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