Pomp as Akwa Ibom youths in Lagos get new leaders

By Joseph Osom

Akwa Ibom State Community (AKISCOM), Lagos, has inaugurated new executive officers into the youth wing of the association.

Many dignitaries from Lagos and its environs graced the event, which took place on August 13 at the prestigious AKISCOM Hall, Yaba, Lagos. It was an opportunity for the Akwa Ibom indigenes in Lagos to renew their bond.

In attendance were the chairman of the occasion, Chief Edet Ambang, President, Oron Union, Lagos, Akwa Ibom governor representative in Lagos, Elder Sam Bassey, AKISCOM President, Prince Felix Udoh, AKISCOM former president, Chief Elijah Ifot, Maintain Peace Movement (MPM) coordinator, Lagos, Mr. Otuekong Jackson, Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, CEO, FFI, Mrs. Mofat Vivian, president, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Elder Samuel Usoro, president, Eket Senatorial District, Chief Maurice Ukpong, Woman Leader, AKISCOM Lagos, Mrs. Nkoyo Eddy-Bassey, deputy woman leader, AKISCOM, Lagos,  Akparawa-awan Celestina Uki, woman leader, MPM, Lagos, Mrs. Stella Enyong, vice president 2, AKISCOM, Lagos, Silas Udoh and president IKEDOA Development Association, Lagos, Mr Cosmas Ukpong.

Others were President-General, Uyo Senatorial District, Chief Matthew Udoheyop, represented by his aide, Cornel Udofia, Hon. Walter Adiakpan, members of Ndito Akwa Ibom Worldwide Association (NAIWA), Lagos Chapter, members of Bring Back Our Language Foundation (BBOL), Lagos Chapter and others.

The members of the executive that were sworn in were: Mr. Ime Usoro, as the youth leader, Mr. Joseph Osom, deputy youth leader, Mr. Inemesit Udoh, general secretary, Mr. Akan Archibong, financial secretary, Mr. Ben Eto, assistant financial secretary, Princess Praise Ekaette, treasurer, Mr. Isaac Jackson, chief welfare officer, Mr. Maurice Adiaka, provost, Alice Umoh, social secretary and Mr. Kendy Aduak, public relations officer.

The chairman of the occasion, Ambang, charged the newly inaugurated executives not to betray the trust of the youths who voted them into office and the confidence which the executive council and other stakeholders of AKISCOM reposed in them to lead the wing. He urged the leadership to lead by example, by being transparent and to operate an all-inclusive government.

Udoh, who is the 8th president of AKISCOM, in his fatherly advice to the newly sworn-in officers, he admonished them to lead by example and shun every form of violence. He also charged them to tap into the abundant talents that are embedded in the youths and use them to empower the people. According to him, bringing in creativity, innovation in the youth wing and by extension AKISCOM as a whole was paramount.

“AKISCOM under my administration has done well and will continue to do more till the last minutes as my tenure comes to an end next year. The youths should toe the path of peace and progress and always make the community proud,” he added.

Former AKISCOM president, Chief Ifot, also reminded the new executives that the youth and women wings of AKISCOM came to existence during his administration, urging them to sustain the legacies of the initiators. He counselled the youths not to disappoint him and good people of the community in Lagos and beyond.

In his acceptance speech, Usoro assured the AKISCOM stakeholders, community members and guests that his administration will not deviate from his campaign promises of empowering the youths, initiating skill acquisitions schemes and operating all-inclusive government for the benefit of all indigenes.

He told the audience that he has a capable cabinet that would make his tenure a successful one. He assured the people that his administration would deliver good governance to the youth. He promised to set up a conflict resolution committee to settle some issues which arose during and after the election. He expressed the optimism that all the aggrieved parties would be reconciled in no distant time.

“I thank all the youths who believe in me and voted for me, the AKISCOM presidents, present and past, chairman of the occasion, who honour our invitation even with short notice and all the invited guests, God bless you all,” he concluded.

No doubt, the event was colourful and fun-filled as Akwa Ibom popular artists, Edidem 1 of Nsit Ubium and Finness Ubong thrilled guests with their popular single “Bo Ekom”. There was also enough to eat, drink and take away