The Ogbia Community (UK)

Who we are

Our Constitution names us The Ogbia Community (UK), known also as OCOM / OCOM-UK. Our crest carries the words Ogbia Community UK & Europe — Odionin Pe Ekpar. We are an association of people of Ogbia origin and heritage, their children and their relations, living in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Our origins

The community came into being as a formal organisation on Saturday 23 October 1993. It grew out of the need, in the words of the Constitution, to bring together all UK-based persons of Ogbia origin and all their relations, with a view to promoting mutual awareness of our common heritage and fostering a united front with regard to the social well-being of all Ogbia persons in the United Kingdom as well as addressing the endemic problems of our people back home in Nigeria.

The decision to form a UK-based Ogbia organisation was taken unanimously that day, at the first ever meeting of UK-based Ogbia people, held at the residence of Mr Oxford Olali. That meeting followed a letter titled “Calling all Ogbia Sons and Daughters”, sent by Mr Harcourt Anthony Otokito to every Ogbia person then known to be living in Britain. The response was an almost complete turnout — and monthly meetings have followed ever since.

The letter itself is kept as an appendix to the Constitution. It is, in a real sense, the founding document of this community in Britain.

Our purpose

We exist to promote charitable purposes for the benefit of persons of Ogbia origin and Ogbia affinity: to unite our people here and support our people at home, to relieve hardship and advance education, to keep Ogbia culture and history alive, and to keep peace and co-operation among ourselves and with our neighbours.

Our objects

These are the objects set out in Article 2 of our Constitution.

• To unite all persons of Ogbia origin, their offspring and relations in the UK and Ireland and to contribute, wherever possible, towards the welfare and social well-being of all people of Ogbia, both at home and abroad. (2(a))
• To promote any charitable and lawful course earmarked at improving the conditions of life of the said persons by way of the relief of poverty, the advancement of education and general awareness, the provision of infrastructures and basic facilities that may facilitate the development of the Ogbia people and land. (2(b))
• To promote the cultural, historical and economic development of the Ogbia community in particular and the Ijaw people as a whole. (2(c))
• To promote peace, harmony, unity and co-operation among the Ogbia people and to encourage peaceful co-existence with one another and with our neighbours. (2(d))
• To work in unity with other organisations and individuals working for the common interest of the Ogbia people, the Riverine people, the Ijaw communities and all mankind. (2(e))
• To stand by and support one another in every way possible, both during happy and difficult times. (2(f))
• To project, promote and uphold a positive and responsible image for the Ogbia community and Nigeria in particular and our local UK communities in general, at all times. (2(g))

How we pursue them

Article 3 gives the community the powers it needs to carry out its objects. Among them:

• Provide facilities for the teaching and promotion of the Ogbia language and culture, and other African values, for both children and adults. (3(b))
• Arrange exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses. (3(e))
• Promote and carry out research, surveys and investigations, and publish the results. (3(d))
• Collect and share information on matters affecting the objects, and exchange it with bodies having similar objects at home and overseas. (3(f))
• Raise funds and receive contributions by subscription and other lawful means. (3(m))