Bereaved family members of Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN), also known as Buccaneers Confraternity.
Recently received millions of Naira from Confraternity BAN Global President, Engineer Azubuike Onowu told journalists yesterday in Abuja that the gesture was a form of support for the immediate families of their deceased members.
According to him, the members donated over twenty five million Naira and the money will be distributed evenly among the three deceased members, ensuring that the corpse will continue to support the members’ welfare.
He told journalists that welfare is the foundation of the fraternity, as the fraternity’s motto revolves around brothers helping brothers.
“What we’re doing is part of our policy to improve welfare,” Onou said.
This is what we give to the families of our deceased brothers.
We have lost several brothers since I took office in September 2022.
So we are doing three now, I did one in Benin City, Edo State, and two in Abuja, and the same amount went to next of kin. “Normally, when we lose a member, the association assigns each member.
We have an agreed amount that we pay.
We give a schedule and at the end of the day we pay. “Like this one, we realized a little above twenty six million naira. We divide into 3 equal parts.
Each family gets the sum of N8,956,000.00 (Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Six Thousand Naira) only.
You may want to ask why the part is?
The reason is simple, it is because what has been achieved from the drive is what we give to them. “Some people had said why we did not just top it up to N9 Million, but we said no.
The sole purpose of the contribution was welfare, so the entire money realized would be evenly distributed amongst the trio.
“So, at our First Quarterly Conference/Meeting in Abuja in March of this year, I grouped the first three members past and that’s why she (Mrs Caroline Aghedo) is among them.
Apart from the three beneficiaries, there were others who received one million naira each for the maintenance of their children.
“The beneficiaries include Igho Caroline Aghedo (N8,956,000), Meagan Yoma Ighedo. (N8,956,000), Nkechi Maureen Obi (N8,956,000), Oxboho Oweno Darlington (N1,000,000), Ugwi Rashidat (N1,000,000).
“We are having our next Quarterly Conference/Meeting in August, but this will be in the UK.
I will initiate the second phase of payment.
I believe that by the time I am handing over, which is in September next year, I should have cleared it out.”
He added: “It’s not just when people die that we pay social benefits, we also celebrate the living. We have a commission that empowers our brothers.
“For example, if you have any business you want to do and you don’t have enough funds, you apply to the BAN Empowerment Committee, your application will be reviewed and they will provide you with the required amount.
It is interest free and collateral free. We believe that being a member is a guarantee.
“Depending on the amount you claim, it’s spread over a year, less than a Million is a year.
Five million is ahead of a year. “We also have a policy for critical illness.
This year alone, we have given over twelve million naira for critical illnesses.
In addition to our members, BAN as an organization is known for contributing to society through: our numerous Corporate Social Responsibility outings in Nigeria and internationally and our statements on critical issues concerning the welfare of Nigerians and humanity.
The Buccaneers’ Confraternity has existed since 1972 as a campus organization that has evolved over the years into an international organization operating in more than 50 countries around the world.
Tribune
