In the spirit of the holiday season, the Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN) non-profit organization has provided N20 million in food and cash assistance to 102 families of deceased members across the globe.
The initiative, known as the BAN Outreach Commission (BANOC), was established to provide financial and emotional support to families who have lost a loved one, particularly during festive periods.
BAN Global President, Engineer Azubuike Onowu, explained that in a society like Nigeria, where economic hardship is widespread, the death of a breadwinner can have a devastating impact on families.
“This is a reality that the leadership of Brothers Across Nigeria / Buccaneers Confraternity has sought to address by creating structures to support the families of our departed members,” Onowu said.
Beyond mandatory contributions from its over 10,000 members worldwide, BANOC was established in November 2022 with the specific goal of assisting families, especially during holidays.
BANOC Chairman, Mr. Joseph Amare, detailed how the program has evolved.
In its initial year, BANOC raised N10 million to support 76 families, providing each family with a N100,000 package that included a N50,000 cash gift and N50,000 worth of groceries.
For the 2023 iteration, BANOC doubled the funds raised to N20 million, allowing them to extend support to all 102 families.
Each family received a N150,000 package, comprising a N50,000 cash gift and N100,000 worth of groceries.
Onowu emphasized that the program is rooted in the core tenet of BAN: “Broda Deliver Broda.”
“In BAN, our brothers are the family we choose. So, BANOC is essentially constantly ‘delivering’ for the family of our departed brothers,” he explained.
Onowu stressed that true brotherhood transcends death, and BANOC’s efforts serve as a tangible demonstration of the fraternity’s enduring commitment to its members and their families.
“These gestures are a way for us to reassure families that while their loved ones are no longer physically present, they continue to live on through the Brotherhood,” Onowu said.
He also encouraged other organizations to emulate BAN’s efforts and serve as community development agencies and welfare safety nets.
“In light of the current economic situation and the lack of robust welfare systems in Nigeria, associations, confraternities, school alumni associations, town unions, and other such bodies can serve as important community resources,” Onowu noted.
He called on all such organizations to seek sustainable ways to support the families of their departed members.
The Buccaneers Confraternity, founded in 1972 at the University of Ibadan, has grown into a global organization with members across Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Western Europe.
The group remains steadfastly committed to its ideals of equity, non-discrimination, and service to humanity.
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