The delegation from Onitsha came in early due to the unfortunate arrival of the hurricane Ike which did a lot of damage in Houston, led to the cancellation of Houston Branch inductions. So they couldn't wait to get to San Antonio. The delegation included the who's who of Peoples club international: Patron Trustee, HRM Eze Desmond Ogugua (Mmiri na Ezeri oha). National and International Chairman, Chief Fabian Onwuachu, (Acharugo, Osuofia Akokwa, Ogbuagu Adaziani), Chief Ike I. Ojukwu, Secretary governing council, Patron Trustee (Grand Father). Chief sir Dr J. O. Ilonzo, First Vice President (Ichie Eze Ugonu Ojoto), Chief Ike Anene, Chief Sam Iwuchukwu (Akudo Nnewi).

The USA Delegation was both humongous and very impressive. This had to be the biggest gathering of the Chairmen and Secretaries of peoples club in the Americas and outside of the Chairman and secretaries meetings. It was a sight to behold: The delegation included: Chief alloy Eze, Patron elect, the Houston Branch chairman, Nze Nwabeke (ishimiri) and Secretary, Chief Okpara, Washington DC Chairman and secretary, Philadelphia Chairman, Ezegozie Eze, and Secretary. San Francisco Chairman and Secretary, Chicago Chairman and Secretary. New York Chairman, Nze Maliki, Chicago Chairman and Secretary, and Atlanta Chairman and Secretary, Toronto Chairman and Secretary and a lot of others.

the suspense was building.

Pre-Induction

The Friday night pre-induction party held at the San Antonio Fire fighters Hall started quite late. The delegation from Onitsha arrived early and sat on the high table for at least an hour before the hall slowly filled up. The sponsoring Branch chairman, Chief Emma Okafor was sitting on pins and needles as everyone waited for the guests to make their way from the hotels to the hall. The Arlington Branch was going out of it's mind as it tried to get the party going.

At about 10.30, the PRO from Arlington Branch, Steve Nezianya introduced the MC for the evening. Chief Ifeanyi Anagbogu (obunakueze). When Chief Anagbogu took the microphone and started cracking jokes, the whole hall relaxed, the Onitsha delegation relaxed their faces and by the time it was mid night, the party was in full fledge as the whole hall was packed full, with everyone dancing. Even HRM Desmond Ogugua, got into the act, as he gracefully drifted from one end of the hall to another. Chief Onwuachi and the rest of the delegation could not contain themselves as they danced and danced into the wee hours.

THE DAY OF INDUCTION

At 9.00 pm, The Hall was again packed. It was so overcrowded that we had to wait for a fuction that was taking place in the other wing of the hall to end so the hotel can open up more space and ease the overwhelming crowd.

The event once again started late, this time at about 10.18 pm when Chief Anagbogu took to the microphone, He was once again on top of his game as he very masterfully guided every aspect of the Induction. Chief Alloy Eze, Ihediora nma - Patron elect from Houston did the formal introduction of the high table, followed by the introduction of the Secretaries by the Houston Branch Secretary, Chief Alphonsus Okpara.

The chartering of the branch took place at exactly 11.45pm at a very solemn ceremony: The Sponsor of San Antonio & chairman of Arlington branch, Chief Engr Emma Okafor asked his executives to approach the stage and lined up facing the the high table as the proposed 5 initial executives of San Antonio, lined up in an I-formation in fronT of the Arlington Branch executives. The Chairman then presented the San Antonio officers for chartering and in a very strong and unequivocal voice declaring that they were ready to be chartered. In a ceremony witnessed by the legal adviser from Houston Branch, Chief Obiefulue, Chief iwuchukwu, and the entire executives of Arlington Branch, Chief fabian Onwuachi, Acharago, in a very strong voice declared San Antonio the newest branch of Peoples club of Nigeria International and the Certificate of charter was presented to the Chairman of San Antonio Branch, Professor Dr. Sir Chukwuma Achebe to a thunderous applause from the over flowing crowd. It was electric as the reality set in to San Antonio that the months of hard work have paid off. They are now a branch The 5 officers sworn in were: The founding chairman, Professor Chukwuma Achebe, the 1st vice chairman, Chief Sir Ibezim Jr, 2nd Vice Chairman, Chief Fred Akabogu, The general Secretary, Lady Josie Ogbugbulu and the financial secretary, High Chief Innocent Njoku.

After the chartering, the new inductees lined up and the legal adviser, Chief Obuefulue did the honors as the new inductees were formally inducted.

Appreciation

The appreciation was started with the first inducted member of the Branch, Dr Philo Ohiri who pledged $2500. followed by a few of $1000's and $1500's until the Sponsor and Arlington Branch Chairman got up, took the Microphone and forcefully, warned all the inductees that no one should pledge less than $2000.00. That is when it finally took off as figures like $4000 and $5000.00 started flowing in. San Antonio Branch inducted a total of 28 members. 3 of who were from Toronto Canada branch and 3 from Atlanta branch. The largest donation was $7500.00 made by Henry Egeolu, managing director of Kenbrook investments.

The party then continued through the night.

Steve Nezianya
(Aka Ego)
PRO PCNI- Arlington Texas Branch