Social Welfare - Legal & Justice
Aims and Objectives | Membership | Mode of Registration | Members Status | Amendments of the Constitution | Executives | Officers and Duties | Tenure of Officers | Finance-Sources of Funding | Meeting | Flag | Account(s)-Assets-Liabilities | Committees | Annual Merit Awards | Trustees | Legal Adviser(s) | Resignation-Forfeiture | Death | Seal-Stamp

The Constitution of the Benin National Congress.

DATED-THURSDAY 4TH AUGUST 2005

Section 1 (ONE) Article 1 PREAMBLE

We the members of the Benin National Congress herein and after referred to as a pan Benin Socio-Cultural Organization, having regards to the need to enhance, promote and defend the yearnings and aspirations of Benin People as well the promotion and perpetuation of the values and norms for which our fallen heroes and ancestors were renowned do hereby solemnly resolve to give to ourselves the following constitution which shall be binding on all of us.
Subject to the provision of this constitution this body shall be known, called and addressed as The Benin National Congress, aka BNC.

Article 2 (Two) Aims and Objectives

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  • To promote the spirit of oneness amongst Benin race through interactive social engagements within Benin nation and elsewhere.
  • To promote and defend cherished Benin values.
  • To serve as the vanguard for the socio-cultural emancipation of the Benins in the face of glaring threat to Nigeria’s security and stability.
  • To collaborate with well meaning institutions within and outside Benin nation for the reparation of all stolen Benin Bronze and artifacts by the European missionaries cum colonizers.
  • To inculcate in our youths the efficacy of Education, enculturation and peaceful disposition as ferocious tools for development and greatness.
  • To articulate any act(s) or program(s) that may be socio-culturally expedient for the unity, progress and development of Benin Nation.

Article(3) Three – Membership

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, a person shall be deemed eligible or qualified for membership of this body after-
    a - He|she is certified to be of Benin origin (patrimony)
    b - He|she is certified to be of Benin origin (matrimony)
    c - Any person who fall into the (b) category above shall not be eligible for any executive position in the Congress executive council until after a period of five years of positive participation in the Congress activities at Local Chapter or National Secretariat level.

SECTION 2(TWO) MODE OF REGISTRATION

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1 - Any interested person who is qualified by virtue of Article Three subsection 1 and 2 above shall be deemed a registered member after obtaining a registration form for a non refundable fee (subject to the provision of this constitution shall be #550.00.) and has completed and returned same to the secretariat of the Congress.
2 - The Congress committee on screening shall upon the receipt of the registration form cause enquiry into the prospective member’s background and ascertain his or relevant disposition especially with reference to social movements and youthful engagements.
3 - The executive council shall confirm the membership of the prospective member after it ha been briefed of the positiveness or worthiness of the member by the screening committee.
4 - The Congress Secretary General or Secretariat shall upon the receipt of the executive council’s endorsement of the prospective member issue a membership card to the prospective member, which shall serve as his or identity.

Membership Status\ Definition

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be active members and nominal members of this movement.
    a - An active member shall be someone who is credible (who is not a convict of any law court), employed or seeking for a job; of 18 years and above; mentally fit to contribute to the progress of this body; willing and able to pay his\her dues and positively disposed to meeting attendance unless on exceptional grounds.
      i - He or She shall have the right to vote and be voted for.
      ii - He or She shall enjoy an unrestricted status of membership of this movement in the event of any unforeseen social or economic misadventure.
    b - A nominal member shall be someone who is credible (who is not a convict of any law court) employed or seeking for a job; of 18 years and above; willing and able to pay his or her dues and mentally fit to contribute to the progress of this movement.
      i - He\She shall have the right to vote but shall not be voted for or stand up for any elective posts in the Congress. ii - He\She shall enjoy a considerable status of membership in the event of any unforeseen social or economic misadventure.

Amendments of the constitution.

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, the constitution shall be freely amendable.
    1 - Following a motion properly moved and seconded at a well constituted general meeting of the Congress, the Congress president or vice presiding shall endorse the setting up of a Constitution Review Committee (C.R.C.) whose membership shall be by nomination or self-volunteering.
    2 - The CRC shall at its first meeting considered the need to open its doors to members of the Congress wishing to make submissions on certain concerns or observable features in the constitution.
    3 - The committee shall freely elect members (committee members) opinion on all issues and cause same to be democratic.
    4 - Subject to the provision of this constitution no amendments lacking of sub-sections 1, 2 and 3 above shall be deemed proper and authoritative

Section Three (3) Executives.

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1 - subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an executive council, which shall be the highest-ranking authority of this body and shall ensured the coordination, management and enforcement of all activities, resources and standards or rules of this body.
2 - It shall consist of the following officers
    a – President
    b – Vice President
    c – Secretary General
    d – Assistant Secretary General
    e – Director of Action and Mobilization
    f – Assistant Director of Action and Mobilization
    g – Director of Publicity and Intelligence
    h – Assistant Director of Publicity and Intelligence
    I – Treasurer
    J – Assistant Treasurer
    K – Chief Correspondence Officer
    L – Assistant Correspondence officer
    M – Financial Secretary
    N – Assistant Financial Secretary
    O – Chief Welfare Officer

SECTION FOUR (4) SUBSECTION 1 OFFICERS AND DUTIES

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1 - The President- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an officer whom shall be so called and he shall-
    a - Be the chief presiding Officer of this body.
    a - Endorse or approve of all proposed meetings of this body.
    c - Be the chief signatory of all account of this body.
    d - Have the power to constitute all forms of committee of this body after it has been expressly demanded by at least 2\3rd majority of members or executives.
    e - Be the chief image-maker of the Congress and shall under take other tasks that may be expedient to the overall progress of this body.
2 - The Vice President- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he\she shall-
    a - Assist the President in the discharge of the Congress assignment.
    b - Shall deputize for the President in all Congress activities that the President is unavoidably absent or so delegated to do.
3 - The Secretary General- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called he\she shall-
    a - Take notes of all assets and liabilities of the Congress
    b - Ensure proper minutes of meetings are taken and documented safely.
    c - Be a co-signatory to all Congress accounts
    d - Undertake any other tasks that may be assigned expediently.

4 - The Assistant Secretary General- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he\she shall undertake the following-
    a - Assist the Secretary General in all Congress business or activities.
    b - Shall do other tasks that may be assigned by the Executive council.

5 - Director of Action and Mobilization- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he shall ensured-
    a - The coordination of all Congress rapid response assignment or initiatives that would be expediently resolved by the Executive council.
    b - Alert the Law enforcement Agencies of perceived threats to Benin Nation or interests through the Office of the Secretary General and or Director of Publicity and Intelligence.
    c - The articulation and administration of the Oath of allegiance of all able bodied members of the Congress whom shall volunteer to resist any trespass on Benin Soil by neighboring communities or groups.

6 - Assistant Director of Action and Mobilization - Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he shall do the following-
    a - Assist the Director of Action and Mobilization in every manner or ways considered necessary to realization of set goals of this body.
    b - Shall carry out any other task(s) that may be assigned to him by the Executive council.

7 - Director of Publicity and Intelligence - subject To the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he\she shall undertake the following-
    a - Articulation, distribution and mobilization of press statements and journalists after the endorsement by the president or the Executive council.
    b - He\she shall serve as the contact between the Congress and interested public.
    c - Prepare and present speeches in defense of the Congress activities.

8 - Assistant Director of Publicity and Intelligence- There shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and shall do the following-
    a - Assist the Director of Publicity in any way(s) crucial to the realization of set goals
    b - May be assigned to carry out any other function(s) that is expedient to the Congress interests

9 - The Treasurer- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and she shall undertake the following-
    a - Keep and maintain all finances and accounts of the Congress.
    b - Furnish or update the Congress (members) with the state of its assets and liabilities.
    c - Shall be a co-signatory to all Congress accounts

10 - Assistant Treasurer- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and she shall ensured the following-
    a - Be of assistance to the Treasurer
    b - Carry out any other task(s) that would be so assigned.

11 - Chief Correspondence Officer- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an officer whom shall be so called and he\she shall do the following-
    a - Disseminate and receive all incoming and out-going Congress correspondences
    b - Ensure that all correspondence are available to the Congress secretariat for perusal and appropriate action(s).
    c - Ensures that the congress information posts (emails, internet, post office box) are adequately maintained and or serviced.

12 - Assistant Correspondence Officer- Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and he\she shall ensures the following-
    a - Assist the Chief correspondence Officer in the discharge of the tasks
    b - May be assigned to do any other duty.

13 - Welfare Officer-Subject to the provision of this Constitution, there shall be an Officer whom shall be so called and shall do the following-
    a - Maintain a database of the welfare concerns (the burning needs of members to secure jobs or appointments as well as the health issues of dedicated members) of all members.
    b - Up date congress with the crucial and contemporary Health concerns prevalent as well as related programs or events.

SECTION FOUR SUBSECTION TWO (2) TENURE OF OFFICERS

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, members elected to serve the Congress shall do so for a renewable term of four (4) years and not more than Two terms.
    a - The Executive council shall stand dissolve at the general meeting properly conveyed after a four year period of selfless contribution to the affairs of this body.
    b - The members (whom are not elected) shall invoke the wrath of this constitution by seeking to dissolve an Executive council that deliberately obstruct the part of transition or deny elected members of their rights to be sworn-in.
    c - In the event of disloyalty to paragraph (a0 above, members shall by a motion in a properly constituted meeting with any four executives present or a delegated member of trustees adopt the constitution of a transition committee which shall seat for three months and cause elections to be conducted by electoral committee and cause swearing-in to take place.

SECTION FIVE- Finance\Sources of Funding

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, members, trustees and interested members of the public, shall primarily fund this body. This body shall forbid funds from questionable members of the public (anyone who is deemed to be oppressive, unstable character and unsympathetic to the cause of Edo people). The following shall be avenues of funds-
    a - Meeting Dues- There shall be fixed minimum financial contribution of members at Local chapters and national secretariat meetings to the Congress and shall be compulsory and source of assessment.
    b - Pledges- In the event of foreseen struggles or programs, pledges shall be raised and members shall be made to contribute for realization of set goal(s).
    c - Donations- The Executive council may raise a committee to plan a wider fund campaign in the event that huge financial demands are crucial.
    d - Fines\Levies- Members shall be made to pay levies or fines as penalties for breaching laid down riles of the Congress and shall form part of the Congress accounts. .

SECTION SIX SUBSECTION -A- MEETING.

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, all meetings shall be called following the approval of the need to have it by the president whom shall mandate the Secretary General to circulate notice of it to all registered members through the data base in the Secretariat’s custody.
    a - There shall be General and Executive council meeting.
      i - A General meeting shall be presided over by the president or a delegated officer of the Congress whom may cause certain actions to be taken and subject to the review by the Executive council in the case the President is absent.
      ii - An Executive Meeting shall be presided over by the President or a delegated executive whom shall formally submit the resolutions to the President for review and assent in the case the President is absent at the Meeting.

SECTION SIX SUBSECTION -B- FLAG

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be a flag, which shall be called and known as the Flag of Benin National Congress. And it shall consist of the following colors-
    a - Blue, shall represent the meekness of the Congress and this shall mean the hospitality and mutual understanding among members of the Congress.
    b - Green shall symbolize the vegetation of Benin nation, which reinforces the Agricultural productivities, as well as the creative works of Arts and enterprise.
    c - Red, shall represent the zest on the part of the Congress to promote and defend all Benin interests. It shall stand for the blood that was shed during the Benin massacre of 1897.It shall immortalize the resisting spirits of our ancestors in confronting the colonizing powers who looted the nation’s artifacts and the administration of other inhuman treatments.

SECTION SEVEN (SUB-SECTIOB 1) ACCOUNT(S)

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an account, which shall be known and called the Benin National Congress Account(s).
    a - It shall be opened with and maintained in a reputable bank or financial institution with great respect with for corporate and social responsibility.
    b - The financial secretary whom shall cause its audit annually shall closely monitor it.
    c - It shall have the President, Secretary General and Treasurer of the Congress as its co-signatories.

SECTION SEVEN (SUB-SECTION2) Assets\ Liabilities

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, the Executive council shall appropriate plans or ideas that shall improve the fortunes and social image of this body. The Congress shall own properties or any other assets it deemed necessary for the networking or internal funds reliance. In the event of unfavorable circumstance, the Executive council shall seek and obtain credit or loans or mortgage or outright sales of the Congress assets in as much as it is endorsed by 2\3rd of the Executives including the President.
    a - The Congress shall establish any revenue generating venture(s) it considers worthwhile for the good image of this body.
    b - The Congress Executive council shall seek independent managers or consulting firm to manage the business interest on its behalf.
    c - The Congress shall seek any reasonable means to enhance its financial stability and independence.

SECTION EIGHT-COMMITTEES

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be standing and ad-hoc committees which shall be mandated or set up in certain prevailing circumstance(s).
    a - Electoral Committee
    The committee shall be constituted in the wake of an election year or period.
      i -The committee shall be made up of five members whom shall be non interested parties (members who are not known to be supportive of the aspiration(s) of any other member contesting an election)
      ii - It shall formulate guidelines and time-table for the election(s) iii - It shall have the power to disqualify aspirants that have not merited the set requirements or whose conduct(s) is deemed questionable.
      iv - It shall have powers to declare results in a properly constituted meeting of the Congress.
    b - constitution Review Committee
      i - Shall be constituted on the eve of the review of this constitution.
      ii - Shall be made up of seven members.
      iii - Shall have powers to review perceived gray areas and any other mandate that may be recommended in its term of reference.
      iv - All members shall be free to make recommendations into its works.
    c - Disciplinary Committee
      i - The president shall head it or such other Executive that the President may so delegate.
      ii - It shall be made up of three members as a whole.
      iii - It shall summon any member that is of questionable character.
      iv - Its ruling or recommendation shall be final unless on grounds of expediency, the President may pardon such a defaulter after consultations with the Executives and members.

SECTION NINE - ANNUAL MERIT AWARDS

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be an annual merit awards which shall be known and called the Benin National Merit Awards and shall be solely or jointly organized by the Congress. It shall be specially reserved for a select members of the academia, distinguished entrepreneurs, initiators of worthy and novel projects as well as elected representatives with distinguished contributions to the overall development of Benin nation particularly and Nigeria or elsewhere. The awards committee shall annually inform His majesty and the State Government of the preparedness and names of nominees for their advice and supports.
    i - The nominee(s) shall not be a person(s) of questionable character. ii - It shall be hosted side by side the annual Igue Festival. The Congress shall have the right to revoke the award if the holder of the award is deemed to be a security risk or fallen short of the credibility of the holder of the award.

SECTION TEN SUBSECTION 1 - TRUSTEES

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be trustees whose interest and contribution shall be regulated by a board herein and after referred to as the board of trustees.
    a - They shall be selected Benin men and women of proven integrity whom shall be resolutely committed to the realization of the set goals of the Congress.
    b - They shall meet at least once in every four years and shall make efforts to observe any bickering amongst members and seek ways to resolve same.
    c - It shall make financial contributions to the overall administration of the Congress.
    d - Shall have the power to summon an emergency meeting of the Congress Executive councils and general stakeholders in the event of internal or factional crisis in the Congress.
    e - The board shall meet once in every four months at the instance of the chairman or on rotational basis amongst members.
    f - It shall consist of the following positions
      i - The chairman whom shall be a man.
      ii - The vice chairman
      iii - The secretary

SECTION TEN SUBSECTION 2- LEGAL ADVISER(S)

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, there shall be a non- official member whom shall be so called or addressed and whose primary function shall be the rendering of professional legal advice for the smooth administration of the Congress.
    a - He\she shall upon the receipt of request for advise take appropriate steps to study the matters arising from the issues and suggest ideas that will not impede the image of this body.
    b - He\she shall be paid or voluntary.
    c - He\she shall guide the members on the legal or constitutional implication(s) of certain proposed action(s).

SECTION ELEVEN –RESIGNATION\FORFEITURE

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, a member or an Executive shall be free to resign his\her membership or an Executive position in as much as he\she is not forced or compelled by reason of oppression or intimidation to do so.
    a - A member shall upon his\her resolution to resign formally (orally or in writing) in as much as the Executive council is informed.
    b - The Secretary General or the Secretariat shall be contacted for the cancellation of such members name from the register and ensure his\her rights forfeiture.
    c - All chapters shall be formally informed of the development.

SECTION TWELVE-SUBSECTION-1- DEATH

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Subject to the provision of this constitution, in the event of a member’s death, the Executive council shall upon the receipt of a formal notice summon an emergency meeting for the sake of the deceased and consequently set up a committee to work out feasible and realistic mode(s) of assistance to the deceased parents or children or relations.
    a - Members shall be mandated to make voluntary contributions in addition to levees that would be collectively agreed.
    b - No registered member of this body shall be exempted from payment.
    c - In the case of an absented member, he\she shall be made to pay all entitlements so agreed on resumption of Congress meetings.
    d - Attendance of burial rites shall be compulsory unless for such members whom shall be exempted for reason of work place and health.
    e - Any defaulting member(s) shall be made to face a disciplinary committee.

SECTION TWELVE-SUBSECTION-2-SEAL\STAMP.

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Subject to the provision of this constitution there shall be a seal, which shall be known and called the Benin National Congress Seal. It shall represent the legal authority or symbol of endorsement of all transactions or positions so endorsed by the Congress Executive council.
    a - The seal of the Congress shall be in the custody of the Congress President whom shall pass it over at the point of hand-over to his successor.
    b - On no account shall the seal be found in the possession of another person other than the President unless it is expediently needed for testimony.

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