Annual National Unit Heads Meeting of VMY NIGERIA

A COMMUNIQUE PRESENTED AT THE END OF THE ANNUAL NATIONAL UNIT HEADS MEETING OF VMY NIGERIA HELD AT VINCENTIAN COMMUNITY ABIAKPO NTAK INYANG IKOT EKPENE AKWA IBOM STATE FROM FRIDAY 25^TH TO SUNDAY 27^TH JANUARY 2019

With gratitude to God for the gift of good health of mind and body, for a successful meeting of the National Executive Council and Heads of various Units and Diocese across the Country, for journey mercies granted to us all and for fruitful deliberations, we say a very big thank you to God Almighty for His benevolence to us.

After prayerfully and peacefully discussing on matters affecting the VMY here in Nigeria, for the general growth of the Association and foster good relationship with the other Arms of the Church most especially the Vincentian Family here in Nigeria, we the Executive Council together with the National Priest/Sister Advisor have brought forth this communiqué for proper documentation and dissemination of vital information about the current status of the Association.

1. That the meeting of the Council began on Friday the 25^th of January and ended on Sunday 27^th of January 2019 with an Opening prayer led by our National Priest Advisor Rev. Fr. Denis Ugwu, CM and spiritual reflection from our National Sister Advisor Rev. Sr. Scholastica Achicumbur, DC while the meeting was presided over by the National President Mr Collins Chinweuba Ikpa.
2. That the 2019 National Encounter of VMY Nigeria will be hosted by Enugu Diocese with a tentative date of Wednesday 14^th to Sunday 18^th of August 2019 was chosen by the Council. The theme of the program shall be VINCENTIAN YOUTHS AS AGENTS OF SYSTEMIC CHANGE. The registration fee shall be the sum of One Thousand Naira only (#1000) per individual, the hosting diocese of Enugu will provide feeding, Accommodation and other local logistics for the Encounter. The National Executive Council will ration the registration fee with a ratio of 50:50 that is; the National takes half while the hosting diocese takes half. That the program will feature activities like; Mass by the Bishop, Penitential Rites ,Lectures, VMY National Anthem Competition, Quiz Competition, Skill Acquisition, Excursion, Open Debate on National Politics, Contest of Master/Miss VMY Nigeria, sports and a whole lots more. There will be Consecration at the Bishop Mass and therefore encourage all units to make preparations towards this. A National Organizing Committee NOC was instituted and they include; Ifunanya Ejim (Chairperson and President of the hosting Diocese) Mary-Stephane Odoh, Cecilia Okon, Esther Paul, Beauty Nnanna, Chioma, Nwaigwa Stephen, Paschal Ugonnaya and Victor Umoren.
3. That the Vincentian Family Nigeria shall be having her Annual General Meeting from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24^th of March 2019 at Divine Love Retreat and Conference Center DRACC New Lugbe Abuja Nigeria with Theme: Systemic Approach towards our services to the Poor today in Nigeria. VMY Nigeria was given 5 slots at the rate Ten Thousand Naira only per individual (#10,000) The VMY Nigeria is owing the V-FAM a total debt of Thirty Thousand Naira Only (#30,000)
4. That the new Annual dues of VMY Nigeria would now be the sum of Two Thousand Naira only (2000) and this is to be paid by all Units and not diocese.
5. That in the year 2020 the National Council will call for another NATIONAL ASSEMBLY to review our National Manual and make some other adjustments in the methodology of the Association.
6. That there will a National Anthem Competition amongst the units in other to pick a good National Anthem which best defines us as VMY Nigeria, the National Executive Council shall compose the lyrics while the units will add their different tunes to it. This competition will take place at the National Encounter.
7. That our National Project of Liquid Soap Production shall be reactivated, it will be managed by the National Secretary Mr Andrew Effiong and other team of employed Staff. The project of our National Secretariat will soon come to accomplishment. The Project of Scarf Production shall henceforth be managed by Ilah Unit of Issele Uku Diocese of Delta State.
8. The National Priest Advisor encouraged us to make plans of establishing VMY in other Parishes and Institutions around us. We should make plans on paying courtesy visit to our Diocesan Bishops to familiarize ourselves with them.
9. The National President proposed a courtesy Visit to the Chairman Bishop of the Youths in other to get full recognition in Nigeria and also attend the meetings to the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria CBCN.

 TO JESUS, WITH MARY

Collins Chinweuba IKPA                                Andrew Emmanuel EFFIONG

National President                                              National Secretary

Rev. Fr. Dennis UGWU CM                           Rev. Sr. Scholastica ACHICUMBUR DC

National Priest Advisor                                     National Sister Advisor