Dear Usama Ekpeye community,

I am overwhelmed with gratitude to have been considered and allowed the opportunity to serve Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc as the Executive President despite my obvious traditional and cultural deficiencies. I am particularly thankful to Dr. Eric Dogini and his family for your friendship, counsel and unwavering support to help me navigate those challenging moments of despair and frustration. Importantly, I want to thank everyone that has invested in my personal Ekpeye cultural, traditional development and perspective to help minimize the difficulties associated with our enviable unique way to communicate with one another.

In addition, I am immensely grateful to the entire executive team, Hon. Vice President - Dinma Aleaze, Hon. Treasurer - Madam Stella Shoops and Hon. PRO - Madam Stella Udoka for their commitment, unwavering support and service. Special thank you to hon. Chairman - Manny Ogiri Morgan and the entire Board of Directors for your support and wise counsel in discussing and deliberating the priorities and operational efficiency of USAMA EKPEYE USA, INC.

Now, the mission of Usama Ekpeye to engage and promote programs that enhance healthcare access and delivery, educational, and economic empowerment opportunities for the people of Ekpeye in Rivers of Nigeria; and engage in programs that promote the welfare of Ekpeye indigenes and Ekpeye culture in the United State of America must move forward. I strongly believe the successful implementation of the mission requires the entire Ekpeye community engagement and support. New generation leadership is required and must be encouraged to transform the organization. We need our young adults, youths, seasoned men and women leadership participation. Significantly, building unity through trust is necessary for Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc to thrive and expand its influence on political and community leaders in our homeland. Our ethnic and tribal division must be minimized or eradicated entirely to promote harmony and progress amongst ourselves. Let's embrace the community members, volunteers and leaders with appreciation and gratitude, quick to listen to diverse point of views and slow to speak critically. We are a vibrate people with enormous potentiality for progress and community success.

I pray that we engage each other with the spirit of oneness, graciousness, humility and generosity for the greater good of the community. When we do, the vision of Usama Ekpeye to become the agent of positive transformation in Ekpeyeland and be known for its community work that creates a healthy climate and opportunities for people to pursue their educational and economic development aspirations will be achieved. Subsequently, our community will prosper, thrive, social and economic security will be embraced and protected. And as a result, our devastated and economic deprived communities would attract new investment opportunities and development from foreign and domestic investors and the community will benefit.

Finally, I would like to appeal to the community to work together towards unity under the umbrella of Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc to instill hope, faith, goodness, confident and hold our entrusted traditional rulers/leaders accountable so that our youths and people could dream and aspire again to a better Ekpeyeland, community and future. Conversely, disrupt the perpetual degradation of Ekpeye people, inequality, poverty, community and society.

May God bless Ekpeyeland with grace and mercy

Charles Ochonma
Executive President
Usama Ekpeye USA, Inc.
president@usama-ekpeye.com