Warri Progressive Society, Otonloye
Warri Progressive Society Alias Otonloye is an Itsekiri Socio-cultural society founded by Prince Sir Kenekueyero Boyewa Omatseye (KSC, OFR) in 1961, alongside Mr S. D. O Arubi and Mr C. A. Etete who were co-founders of Otonloye. The name Otonloye was given to the society by Ogiame Erejuwa II as he informed the founders that when the society is formed, the members will all be children of the throne.
Otonloye maintains a non-partisan stance, allowing its members to freely join political parties and pursue their political ambitions.
The pioneer President is Prince Sir K. B. Omatseye with Barr. Boyo was the pioneer Secretary. Otonloye has branches across Nigeria and the UK.
Governing organs of Warri Progressive Society (Otonloye)
There are five governing organs of Otonloye which help to govern the society. These are:
- The Biennal General Conference
- The National Executive Council
- The National Executive Committee
- The Board of Trustees
- The National Advisory Council
The Biennal General Conference
The Biennial General Conference is the highest policy-making organ of Otonloye where issues about the society, Itsekiri nation and Nigeria as a country shall be received and discussed. Elections into the National Executive Committee shall be conducted at the BGC.
The Biennial General Conference is composed of all branches and open to all registered members of Otonloye. All elected National Officers and members of the Board of Trustees attends the conference in their official capacity, while each National non-official member shall attend as a delegate representing his/her branch.
The National Executive Council
The National Executive Council is responsible for the general administration of Otonloye. It holds meetings quarterly with branches being the hosts, including funding the refreshments.
The Otonloye National Executive Council is composed of all elected National Officers, all members of the Board of Trustees, all past Presidents and past National Secretaries, all Chairmen and Secretaries of branches and three non-official members of each branch provided it is gender sensitive.
The National Executive Committee
The National Executive Committee oversees the society’s daily operations. Meetings are convened as needed, with a minimum requirement of twice a year. The National Assistant Secretary is tasked with recording meeting proceedings.
The National Executive Committee is composed of the elected National Officers of the society, the immediate past President and the immediate past National Secretary.
The Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees serves as the exclusive guardian of Otonloye’s assets and liabilities, convening meetings as necessary. This body comprises members from a minimum of five branches, including Warri and Sapele, and does not exceed ten members in total. The BoT shall be on rotation so that other branches can benefit.
The National Advisory Council
The National Advisory Council functions in an advisory capacity for Otonloye. The decisions and resolutions reached at the National Advisory meetings are only persuasive and not binding. They are taken to the BGC, the Council or National Executive Committee for them to be ratified and if they are ratified, they become binding and implementable.