From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

De Norsemen Klub International (DNKI) over the weekend held its National Executive Council (NEC) and National Advisory Council (NAC) Inauguration and Leadership Retreat in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, with the theme: “Accountability as a Tool for Good Governance – DNKI In Perspective”

The new NAC leadership has Mr Oliver Patrick-Ityohegh (Abuja Chapter) as Chairman, Dr Chidex Eze (Rivers State Chapter) as Vice Chairman, Dr.

The three-day event witnessed a medical check/outreach, meet and greet, interactive session with the International President, stakeholders and delegates, All White Pool Party,, NAC meeting/elections, novelty football match as well as a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, King (Capt) Frank N. Okurakpo, Odhe the second, of Okugbe Isoko Kingdom in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State.

Speaking to newsmen after the retreat, the International President of DNKI, Chief (Engr) Chidi Anokwu charged the new executive to be proactive by abiding to the principles of the organization so as to shun every tendency culpable of demeaning the Klub.

He expressed belief in the capacity, experience and competence of the new executive to take the Klub to greater heights.

He said ” I trust the new executive, one thing I know for them is that we are already cruising, I can tell you that this is the best team any leadership ever had in DNKl take it to the banks. Without mincing words, this team will produce results that we have never had before.”

The DNKI boss, while explaining some of the roles of DNKI, said the organization provides humanitarian services to the society, and called on members not to relent in providing succour to the vulnerable people in the society and as well to love one another.

On the misconception about DNKI, he reiterated that the Klub has carried out various developmental projects for people to see and attributed the misconceptions to mischief makers who don’t mean well for the organization.

He further assured, that his leadership will not rest on its oars to correct this misconceptions, hence, he promised that in no distant time the society will differentiate them from others trying to thwart the goodwill of the Klub

His words “This organization is seen from a different perspective, people bear our name, people answer our name, saying they are Norsemen, but we know they are not Norsemen. People want to copy us, mind you it is only good fruit that people stone, if the fruits are not good, people will not stone them.

“They keep calling us bad names while we excel. Prosperity is what we have come to inherit, but I want to assure you with time we will get rid of it.

Also, the host and Guv’nor of the Bayelsa State Chapter, Chief Anthony Oboghor said the aim of the retreat was to discuss the role of the leadership, capacity building of members and operations on how the organization will move forward.

He mentioned some developmental projects embarked by the organization in Bayelsa to include, installation of street lights, traffic stands, provision of drinking water in some communities, receptacles in Yenagoa.

According to him, DKNI, also provide other services such as enlightenment campaigns on drug abuse, provision of items like foodstuffs, toiletries,, mosquito nets, slippers and more to orphanages, the Nigerian Correctional Facility as well as providing stipends to the elderly, payment of fines for prisoners, blood donation among several others.

“We are like a signboard, the more they see us, the more they truly say these people practice what they preach. You can see how we organize our retreat peacefully. By October we have our humanitarian day, before then we must have done our other projects. He noted”

He said a lot went into planning the retreat and thanked God for making it a huge success, while also appreciating Chief Anokwu for the immense role he played in creating the enabling atmosphere for the successful hosting of the all-important event as well members of the state chapter who contributed their resources and energy to host what has been widely called the best retreat so far.

‘To my International President, I thank you for your unwavering support, advice, prayers and encouragement. I pray God continues to bless you with more wisdom and good health/sound mind to continue to pilot our noble organization to heights never attained before. To all delegates across the various chapters who thronged Bayelsa State for the past three days, I say thank you for adding colour to the event. You have left a lasting memory in our hearts which will be with us forever. Let us continue to work together to ensure the growth and success of DNKI” He said.

The retreat lecture titled: Family Budgeting “Indaba-Doxa”: Let the Believers Help the Unbelievers, MBOK! Was delivered by Professor Emmanuel Sabastien Akpan of Banking and Finance Department, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State.

Highpoints of the event includes cultural display by the award winning Bayelsa State Arts and Culture and award presentation to some deserving members and personalities who have contributed meaningfully to the development of society.

They include, International President of DNKI, Chief (Engr) Chidi Anokwu, who was honoured with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his Innovative Leadership, Pastor Peace Belema-George and Dr Samuel Gambo jointly received the Lifetime Impact Award, Mr Ndunupere Owonaro and Mr Maurice Enarebebe also jointly received an award in recognition of Life of Service to DNKI/Bayelsa State Chapter.

Others are former Bayelsa State Information Commissioner, Barr. Esueme Dan-Kikile Esq. who received an award for inspiring the young generation, immediate past International President of DNKI, Chief (Dr). Adeshola Giwa was also honored with an Excellence Award for Setting The Pace For DNKI while Engr. Solomon Olali was presented with an Achievement Award for his remarkable achievements while he was the Bayelsa State Chapter Guv’nor.