Community
Okwesilieze Women’s Club Prevails in Contentious Civil Lawsuit Against Defecting Members
“Defendants shall immediately cease to use the name “Okwesilieze”; desist from using Plaintiff’s theme songs and greetings “Kwesi”; pay to Plaintiff Organization the sum of $37,000.00, and return specified items in their possession.”
A prolonged civil lawsuit between the Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria and a rival group formed by defecting group members “De Okwesilieze International Women’s Club” has ended in favor of the founding group, court documents show. In a final verdict that might affect similar cases still pending among various groups in the Houston’s Nigerian Community, the defecting group, De Okwesilieze, and their listed agents avoided what would have been a humiliating verdict and succumbed to mediation and settlement negotiations that completely appeased the plaintiff’s demands.
As part of the settlement, the Defendants and their representatives, namely: Hope W Aobikeze, Emiliana ; Chukwu, Rose Ekeke; Genevieve Onyirioha, Oluchi; Duruji, Philomena Chinwe; Ekwealor, Veronica; Onwukamuche, Nkechi Eko; Ijeoma Opara, and Veronica Onunze, shall immediately;
- cease to use the name “Okwesilieze” as any part of their organization’s name.
- shall immediately cease to use the Plaintiffs team songs and greetings “Kwesi” as part of their Organization songs or greetings.
- shall return the Plaintiff organization items in the procession of the defendants, to wit (official documents and items transferred by former outgoing president, Emilana Chukwu to former in-coming President, Dr. Genevieve Onyirioha).
- shall return the items given to Dr. Genevieve Onyirioha by Dr. Gracie Chukwu (These items are attached to the agreement.
- shall pay to Plaintiff Organization the sum of $37,000.00. The payment shall be paid within a 5-year period, paid quarterly for a minimum payment of $1850.00 each quarter. The first payment is due June 1, 2022, and continues each quarter until paid in full.
The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria was founded in 1976 in Enugu, Nigeria with the core mission to promote family values, harness wellness, economics, and community activities, and help the less fortunate women in the society overcome life challenges. However, an internal squabble at the Branch in Houston created a division, causing some members to defect and register the conflicting group “De Okwesilieze International Women’s Club” on February 28, 2020.
The group’s Founder and Leader Dr/Mrs. Gracie Gboliwe Chukwu who instituted the legal action against the defecting members asserted two general claims. First, she affirmed various trademark claims, alleging that the mark Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria International’s trade name was trespassed upon by the Defendants’ incorporation and use of the name “De Okwesilieze International Women’s Club.” Second, Dr. Chukwu alleged that Defendants committed conversion by taking the funds from Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria International as described above.
The case litigated at the United States District Court might set the precedent for very similar cases involving other organizations of Nigerian descent. For instance, according to court papers, Defendants Hope Waobikeze, Emiliana Chukwu, and Rose Ekeke, in the course of the squabble, went to the bank and withdrew $14,400.00 from the OWCNI savings account and $58,000.00 from the OWCNI checking account. After withdrawing the funds, these three Defendants divided the money between the remaining Defendants, who all accepted and converted the funds and called it a “refund” of the OWCNI membership dues —a practice very conversant in many organizations of Nigerian descent.
The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria International Inc., Houston, Texas will be hosting its 20th anniversary and induction ceremony on October 7, 2023, at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on 825 Creekbend Drive in Houston. The event starts at 8.00 pm. According to the Founder, CEO, and National President, Dr. Mrs. Gboliwe Chukwu (Ochiora), the event will highlight a thread of historical moments relevant to the group as well as pay tribute to the departed members.
“This is a great moment for our group if you recall how we started and how far we have gone. Also, do not forget that the Houston Chapter is the very first in North America to be fully registered and incorporated. So celebrating this in Houston, which by the way is the headquarters means so much to us,” Dr. Chukwu said.
Group leaders and members from all over the world are expected. In addition, many Houston community and political leaders are on the guest list. Guests will also witness the induction of new members.
The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria was founded in 1976 by the wives of the original People’s Club of Nigeria in Enugu. The First induction took place on April 1, 1978, in Enugu-Nigeria. Today, the club has grown extensively with numerous chapters around the world. On January 21, 2003, the Texas Chapter was founded and officially inaugurated by Dr. Mrs. Chukwu
On October 11, 2003, the Lifetime National President, Chief Mrs. Alice Nwandu led a delegation of original group leaders, founders, and members from Nigeria to preside over the launching of the Houston Chapter. It was launched as a non-profit organization designed for women of substance and means. The goal according to Dr. Mrs. Chukwu was to “Sufficiently address issues that affect the quality of life of the Nigerian Women, their families, and the society in both the United States and Back home.”
She continued, “Our mission is to keep promoting family values and harness our members for wellness, economic opportunities, and other activities; helping less fortunate women, abused, and the homeless through our influence and operations.”
For more information about this event, please contact 281-772-5548 or 832-746-4988.
Community
Houston’s Church Partners with Christian Association of Nigeria to host National Bible Quiz Competition
The Voice of Evangelism International (VOEI) in Houston, Texas in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will be hosting the 2023 Champion of Champions National Bible Quiz Competition in Abuja Nigeria. The event themed “The Word in a Fragile World” has commenced with a Bloc Competition that would end this month. The Grand Finale will be held on September 20, 2023 at the National Christian Center, Abuja – starting at 10.00 am.
- Theme: “The Word in a Fragile World”
- Date: Bloc Competition, June – August 2023
- Grand Finale: 20th September 2023
- Venue: National Christian Center, Abuja
- Time: 10.00 am
The competition is categorized into three age grades, Adult, Youth, and Teen. Three winners will emerge from each category during the Grand Finale. All winners will receive trophies, including ministerial support, donations, and consolation prizes.
Left: His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism
Sponsored by Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism based in Houston, Texas, this event serves as the foundation and basis for evangelism, and serving God. According to Archbishop Dr. Agwu, the quiz affords children a better opportunity to read and understand the Bible. It offers them the spiritual values to abide by the tenets of the Bible.”
CAN under the leadership of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh serves as a basis for response to the unity of the church and promotes understanding, peace, and unity among the various people and strata of society in Nigeria through the propagation of the gospel.
The VOEI is a nondenominational worship center established in 2006 to spread the word, unite persons, families, and businesses, as well as galvanize souls for Jesus Christ. The ministry has over the years, illustrated the retention of traditional Christian family standards consistent with the preaching and values of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Book Launch & Thanksgiving event was hosted on behalf of Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Okoro at Crown Plaza Hotels & Resorts on 6050 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross GA. The event took place on July 2, 2023
Dr. Henrietta M. Okoro is an adjunct professor of computer information systems and business studies at the Colorado Technical University, National University, and the University of Cumberland.
The book titled Organizational Culture and Performance: The Practice of Sustaining Higher Performance in Business Merger & Acquisition Paperback. In the book, Dr. Okoro integrates organizational culture traits with insights from research to provide readers with distinctive strategies to improve and sustain employee retention, job satisfaction, and higher organizational performance. Emphases were made on distressed banks, global bank mergers, acquisition trends, and implications for sustainability.
Recommendations were provided to leaders in various industries and future research prospects. The book highlights the factors of job satisfaction, employee commitment, thinking beyond financial gain in mergers and acquisitions, failure as a learning tool, and the cultural traits necessary to sustain creativity and higher organizational performance.
The event was attended by who-is-who in the governmental, community, business, and academic communities.
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