Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja inaugurates New EXCO, Trustees others
The 15th Executive Council of Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja has been inaugurated with Barr Aniefiok Ibah as the 9th President of the Community after a keenly contested election earlier held on the 29th May, 2021 at Akwa Ibom House, Abuja.
The new leadership is to pilot the affairs of the Association for a four-year tenure.
Other members elected and inaugurated into the executive Council includes Barr Gabriel Fan – Vice President, Akparawa Solomon Umana – Secretary General, Elder Patrick Edem – Assistant Secretary, Mr Paul Dominic – Financial Secretary, Akparawanwan Patience Paul – Treasurer, Mr. John John Unanaowo – Public Relations Officer, Mr Peter Saturday Peter – Assistant Public Relations Officer, Lady Nkoyo Essien – Welfare Officer, Mr. Benjamin Okon – Director of Socials & Culture, and Mr Emmanuel Effiong – Provost Marshall, Princess Felicia Ekpe – Women Leader, Comrade Christopher Udoh – Youth Leader while Barr Michael Akpan is appointed as Legal Adviser.
Members Inducted into the BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the Community at the ceremony includes; Dr. Aniefon Akpabio – Chairman, Engr (Chief) Benedict Ukpong – Vice Chairman, Adede Francis Iba – Secretary, Dr. Tommy Etim Okon, Chief Cletus Rabson, Arc. Ekpo Nathan, Engr. Etim Abak, Amb. Fonma Usoro, Mrs. Emmanuella Eteta Ita, Elder Tommy Udo-Ime, Elder Edem U. Udofia and Elder Richard Okposin
Those inducted as Patrons includes; Barr. Isikong Isong – Chairman, Elder Idongesit Harrison-Asanga, Dr. Enobong Umoessien, Barr. B. P. Marcel, Hon. (Barr.) Onofiok Akpan Luke, Hon. (Barr.) Ini Ememobong, Hon. (Barr.) Emmanuel Enoidem, Obong Samuel Atang, Hon. (Dr.) John Harry, Dr. Edet Umana, Arch. Bishop Uwem Usoro, Akparawa Ekong Peter, Arc. Anthony Ita, Arc. Effiong Ita.
Others were Prof. Effiok Uwatt, Rev. Dr. Etietop Hanson Ekor, Dr Alfred Ebi, Chief Effiong Abang, Deacon Nkereuwem Okon, Chief Friday Umana, Mr. Okokon Ekanem, Mr Okon Udo Udoh, Prince S. S. Usen, Mr. Anthony Ude, Chief Essien Anyang, Obong Ini Jackson, Mr. Usenekong Akpan, Mr. Edet Adams, Mr Godwin Ekpenyong, Mr. Goerge Udoh, Mr. Monday Abakasanga, Mr. Paul Abia, Hon. Bassey Unaowo, Mr. Emmanuel Udoh, Mr. Mfon Brooks, Pst. Okokon Etoabasi, Chief Jerome Akpan, Mr. Akpauso Akpauso and Mr. Donald Eshiet.
Those inducted as Patronesses of the Community includes; Mrs. Affiong Okponung, Mrs. Iquomma Effiong, Mrs. Mary Ideh, Mrs. Anietie Umoessien, Hon. (Barr) Unwana Ubom, Obonganwan (Pharm) Dorah Ebong, Akp-Anwan Nkese Akwaowo, Dr. (Mrs.) Faith Umoh, Evang. Josephine Odungide, Lady Jane Inyang, Mrs. Helen Anim, Mrs. Idoreyin Blessed, Akp-Anwan Caroline Ndaeyo, Akp-Anwan Dorothy Etim.
At the event, Obong Ini Akpabio was inducted as the POLITICAL LEADER of the Community.
In his inaugural speech, the newly elected and sworn-in President of the Community, Barr Aniefiok Ibah who dedicated the victory to God pledged to serve the interest of all members and stakeholders of the Community as well as partner the programmes and activities of the Akwa Ibom State Government under the leadership of the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
He particularly commended the developmental initiatives and elasticity of the Gov. Udom Emmanuel administration in the areas of Dakkada philosophy, Superior Performance, Completion Agenda and declared the readiness of the Community under his leadership to partner in the Maintain Peace Movement advocacy for a sustained peace and development in the state(at home and diaspora) from 2023 and beyond.
Barr Ibah, a constitutional Lawyer sued for continuous peace, unity and progress in Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja. He pledged to consolidate on the achievements of previous administrations, offer creative empowerment (for Women and youths) and advance initiatives in Cultural and Attitudinal reorientation.
He used the occasion to invite investors, government (state and federal), captains of industries to invest in the building of the Ibom Bowl Ultramodern Complex on mutually beneficial terms.
Barr Ibah equally expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees of the Community led by Akparawa (Dr) Aniefon Akpabio, the outgone executive of the Community, the entire members, the Electoral Committee, the Liaison Officer of Akwa Ibom State Government in FCT, Abuja, Mr Edwin James, the Chief of staff to the Governor, Mr Ephraim Inyang, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr Ini Ememobong, the Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Barr Onofiok Luke, Princess Emmanuela Eteta-Ita, other stakeholders, the different wings in the Community, the leadership and members of the Federating Units/Satellite branches of the Community among others.
He appreciated the Chairman on the occasion, Barr Ekpo Nta, the Chief Launcher, Mr Scott Tommey among others.
The newly inaugurated President expressed appreciation to all the former Presidents of the Community for building on the foundation of the founding fathers of the Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja. He particularly extolled his Mentor and former President of the Community, Chief(Engr) Benedict Ukpong as well as his Boss, Akparawa(Dr) Tommy Etim Okon for grooming him for Community services and leadership. He equally expressed appreciation on behalf of the new executive to the Director General, Akwa Odudu Campaign Organization, Akparawa Tommy Udoime, all the advisers including the father of the Organization, Amb(Dr) Fonma Usoro, all the members, supporters of the Campaign Council that worked assiduously to deliver on the mandate of the Organization. Barr Ibah also expressed appreciation to Akwa Ibom Lawyers Forum in FCT, Akwa Ibom Community Clergy Wing, League of Akwa Ibom Professionals, Abuja, Akwa Ibom Corpers Forum, National Association of Akwa Ibom Students, UniAbuja, the Ibom Family Union, the security Agencies, the Media, among others that have provided different support system to the Community.
The outgone President, Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja and Deputy National Vice President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, Ph.D. in his address earlier expressed appreciation to his outgone executive, the entire members and stakeholders who supported his administration to succeed. He expressed his absolute fulfillment that he has a worthy successor, Barr Aniefiok Ibah in office as President of the Community who is well groomed, experienced and mentored to serve. He wished him and the new administration a successful tenure.
The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR, was presented with Exemplary Leadership Award while the Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Barr Onofiok Luke, State Commisioner for Information & Strategy, Barr Ini Ememobong, ObongAnwan Dora Ebong, Mr. Scott Tommey, Dr Nsikak Ben, Dr. (Mrs) Faith Umoh, Chairman, Amaecom Group, Dr. Amaechi Ofomata were all presented with Epitome of Philanthropy Awards.
Meritorious service Awards were presented to the Past Presidents of the Community including; Elder Aniefon Akpabio, Ph.D., Barr George Enyiekpon, Elder Jackson Ndueso JP, Barr. Sonny Inyang, Chief (Engr) Benedict Ukpong, FNSE, Comrade Tommy E. Okon, Ph.D. and the Pioneer Secretary of the Community, Barr. Benjamin P. Marcel.
Earlier in his speech, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel congratulated the newly elected and inaugurated Executive led by Barr Aniefiok Ibah as well as the Inducted Trustees, Patrons, Patronesses and Political. The State Governor who was represented by Deputy, His Excellency, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR acknowledged the contributions of Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja to the development of the state as well as her people(at home and diaspora). The State Governor pledged the continuous support of the State government to the programmes and activities of the Community and particularly made pledge to support the building of the IBOM BOWL initiated by the Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja.
Also speaking, a former National Legal Adviser, People’s Democratic Party and Director General, Maitain Peace Movement congratulated the Akwa Ibom Community for unifying her Members in the Federal Capital Territory and environs for a common fronts. He pledged his support to Ibom Bowl Project and expressed optimism that the Ibom Bowl Project is achievable while praying for the Community’s support to Gov. Udom Emmanuel Administration and to the Maintain Peace Movement.
The event featured launching of 100 Million Naira Foundation Fund for Ibom Bowl Ultramodern Complex, cultural display, cutting of Inauguration Cake, parade, presentation of goodwill messages and Community Social Night among others.
