Peoples Club of Nigeria Port Harcourt

The club is non-political. People’s Club of Nigeria International grew in leaps and bounds in the 70s and 80s in Nigeria, with the establishment of 22 branches. The 90s and 2000s have witnessed tremendous growth in the Americas and Britain, with 24 branches in the USA, two branches in Canada and one branch in the United Kingdom.

Port Harcourt Branch of the Club was established on the 25th November 1978 with some pioneer members and had Late Prince Dr. Frank Eke as the Chairman of the branch. He piloted the affairs of the club till 1979 when he was elected the Deputy Governor of Rivers State.

The mantle of leadership fell on Late Chief S.O. Amadi from 1979 to 1984. He brought his dynamic, ebullient, charismatic and flamboyant personality to bear on the club. Under his leadership, the club acquired the land at No. 40 Rumuola Road, Port Harcourt. He single-handedly supervised the design, construction and furnishing of the clubhouse, which has been used for meetings and other activities to this day. Late Eze S.O. Amadi instilled discipline and orderliness in the club. Late Elder S.D.J. Ogan was the 3rd Chairman of the branch from 1984 to 1991. He was an extraordinary human being with incomparable patience, wisdom, integrity and doggedness.

Late Elder Ogan’s administration arrested a tempestuous drift at the branch level and entrenched civility, democracy and accountability and gave the branch a soothing sense of direction. Late Elder S.D.J. Ogan initiated the construction of the branch’s 14-chalet Guest House and built it up to the first floor and decked it.

Late Chief Uzo Nwokidu succeeded Late Elder S.D.J. Ogan as Chairman from 1991 to 1998. He enforced discipline, honesty and integrity and had to his credit that he inducted 74 new members at a single induction in 1992. He cared for the less privileged in society and ensured that donations were made to the old people’s home and the motherless babies’ home in Port Harcourt. The branch’s 26-chalet Guest house was completed during the Late Chief Nwokidu’s Administration.

Late Elder S.O.L Amadi-Nna took over the chairmanship of the branch from Late Chief Nwokidu in 1998 and administered the branch till 2004. The branch benefitted a great deal from his disarming humility, honesty and outstanding performance in the public service. The 8 suite annex building which was initiated as a donation to the branch by Late Chief E.U Obasi was completed and commissioned during Late Elder Amadi-Nna’s tenure. His frugal management of resources ensured that the branch members were not unduly levied during his tenure.

Chief Sam Iwuchukwu took over the chairmanship of the branch from Late Elder Amadi-Nna in 2004 and he led the branch till 2011. Right from the beginning of his tenure Chief Sam Iwuchukwu placed at the branch’s disposal the enormous goodwill and wealth of experience he had garnered over decades as an Oil Company Executive. He conceived and initiated the construction of the new Multipurpose Hall from scratch and attracted two Governors to its foundation-laying ceremony; one of whom donated cash while the other tarred the road into the premises. Chief Sam Iwuchukwu’s fund-raising ability was unsurpassed. He was able to persuade with ease members and non-members of the Club to make substantial donation to the New Hall project. He was persistent, honest and hardworking and literally completed the New Hall before leaving office, with the exception of some fittings, tilling and finishing. The Guest House Chalets were completely refurbished as well as the construction of the Bush bar and with its facilities under his watch. Chief Sam Iwuchukwu clearly took the Club to a higher pedestal under his administration.

Late Chief Boniface Chukwuma Ezenwoye was the Branch Chairman between 2011 and 2017. He was a peace-loving person, and his administration was slightly plagued by the conflict that emanated from some unconstitutional action that took place at the Club Headquarters. He completed the floor tiling, installation of electrical fittings, as well as the handrails in the Multipurpose Hall.

Hon. Ebere Owhonda won the chairmanship election in April 2017 in a landslide fashion and was thrust into the festering crises in the Club. He quickly settled down to the job and consulted widely and listened attentively. He spearheaded the intense search for peace, tranquillity and reform in People’s Club and invested his time, ideas, resources, energy and wisdom to that end.

Hon. Owhonda has also found a way of turning the monthly general meetings of the Branch into Joyous, merry-making and fund-raising event-months after month. It is to his credit that we finished and commissioned the two multipurpose halls and the Induction of New Members.

On February 29, 2024, a new administration was elected to pilot and continue the legacies on the ground, with Chuma Obiegbu as the Chairman. From all indications, the Club is on the right track and sailing excellently as it’s been steered in the right direction while toeing the superlative performance of Hon. Ebere Owhonda. In confidence, we can say, “The Club is in safe hands.”