History of the Ibusa Association in the United States

It was in mid 1973 that Mr. Michael Anamanya, then the Diokpa of Ibusa residents in the Washington DC area in his utmost wisdom and generosity, invited newly arrived Ibusa students to his apartment to welcome them to the United States. Present at the gathering were: Michael Anamanya, the host, Emmanuel Ashinze, Emmanuel Emenanjo, Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe, Peter Chigbue, William Onianwah, Godwin Anamanya, and Fidelis Iwugo.

Issues such as economic development, immigration and rendering help to one another was discussed. What started as a social gathering ended with an impromptu agenda. Everyone one was pleased when the function ended. The Ibusa Association was informally convened on that day. The association became a forum to know one another, discuss issues of vital importance affecting members both here and at home in Nigeria.

However due to its infancy as a social organization, the leadership was met with circumstances beyond its control. The gathering began to falter, the meetings became sporadic and it finally seized to function. Though the association remained dormant for several years, the individual members still had a burning desire to revitalize it. Once again they started meeting on a monthly basis rotating from one member's residence to the other. Eventually, the Ibusa Association, Washington/Baltimore Chapter was inaugurated in July 1992. We have also contributed towards the successful inauguration of the US National Chapter. This Chapter has successfully put in place a scholarship fund benefiting indigent Ibusa youths in Ibusa. This represents its greatest achievement to date.