League of Akwa Ibom Professionals was formed as a response to a need for indigenes of Akwa Ibom State in the Federal Capital Territory in various professional fields of endeavour; both private and public sectors to meet, interact, share experiences and contribute to the development of the members and our state.
About two years ago, I took oath of office as President, League of Akwa Ibom Professionals along with other executive committee members and we went to work.
Before I go further, let me use this opportunity to thank members of the Board of Trustees, executive committee members and all other members who contributed one way or the other to enable us achieve the modest success that has been seen so far. I think that it is appropriate at this time that I acknowledge my predecessor Mr. George Nkanta Ufot for the unwavering support that he has given me. I will draw from that example and extend the same courtesy to our next elected president.
At our first strategy meeting as an executive committee on taking office, we decided that one of the things we wanted to tackle was to reduce the number of young Akwa Ibom graduates who were unemployed after their mandatory National Service. That decision gave birth to our Graduate Empowerment Scheme (GES).
One of the sources of my joy in these two years has been seeing the excitement on the faces of the young graduates who have participated in our GES programmes. I am glad to report that two batches of 16 young graduates have gone through rigorous and world-class training in diverse skill areas such as fashion designing for both male and female, cake designing, information communication technology and shoe making. The duration of the highly practical training varies from a few weeks to six months. As I speak, those learning shoes making and cake designing are still in training. We also injected capital into the business of one of the participants. All the GES participants were also taken through the rudiments of Entrepreneurship and Business Management by some in-house experts. I am happy to inform us that a good number of them are doing well in their different businesses.
What makes an association bond? Regular meetings? We had our monthly meetings as at when due except when circumstances dictated otherwise. At almost every meeting, we had experts in different fields come and enlighten us. Those sessions were indeed informative and instructive. I am happy about the friendships that have developed among some members as a result of those regular meetings and our online chat platform.
In collaboration with Google, on 15 September 2018, the Association organized a digital skills training for more than 100 youths of Akwa Ibom Community. Some members of League also benefitted from that training. That training has proven to have been well-thought out. As if we knew that the new normal would be online! We prepared ourselves.
In April 2019, we had a vibrant Members’ Night that had a large turnout and was gracefully chaired by Mr. Ekpo Nta; former Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Members’ Night had been a tradition of the Association though it had not taken place for the five years preceding. The occasion was to welcome new members and honour members who had made contributions towards the betterment of the Association. We acknowledge that the state government sent strong representation to the occasion.
We reactivated the then rested The Professionals magazine. So far we have published two bumper editions. My appreciation goes to the members of the Editorial Committee.
On 26 October 2019, we had a Business and Investment Summit where two experienced facilitators took participants through various aspects of business and investment and made invaluable recommendations.
At some point, we introduced Book-Reading on our whatsapp platform but the response was poor so it was stopped. We also introduced watching educational/business videos to share perspective and insights at dedicated times but like the Book-Reading, the reception was cold so that too was stopped.
We decided to bring back Annual Distinguished Lecture Series with the intention to hold it in the first half of 2020. Planning was in top gear, we had chosen a theme- Akwa Ibom: Eye On The Future, but then everything had to be put on hold due to circumstances beyond our control.
We had several joyful moments. Some members got married, some had new additions to their homes, some got higher degrees, one of us swelled the ranks of Directors in the Federal Civil Service of Nigeria, another of us, a UN appointee, is also making us proud. Some of our children have given us cause to be joyful; a member’s daughter graduated first class in her university and set several records.
On the other hand, we had moments that made us sad. Obong Ufot Ekaette, CFR, nmi and an illustrious Akwa Ibom son whose last appointment was Minister of Niger Delta Affairs after serving meritoriously as Secretary to the Government of the Federation passed on. He had been very supportive of the League in its early days. Obong Asuquo Etukeyen, OON, a former Secretary to Government, Akwa Ibom Sate whose son is a member of League also passed on. Obong (Barr.) Essien Esema, a former President of the Association also passed on. The league was well represented at the funerals. Some other members also lost parents and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the bereaved families.
I wish to use this opportunity to thank all the members who have joined me in the various personal events that I have had in the last two years. On each occasion, I have been overwhelmed by your presence and support. The first was the public presentation of my first book- Aspire: Starting A Successful Business in April 2018, the second was my 50th birthday in 2019 which was marked by the grand finale of Aspire 50 Business Plan Competition and the final one was March this year at the public presentation of my second book- Those Teenage Years. I truly appreciate.
For those putting themselves up today for executive positions in this esteemed association, I hope that you will have the time and energy to contribute accordingly. As you step out for a position be sure to make the necessary plans to carry out the responsibilities of the office that you seek.
On our finances, it is not encouraging that only a negligible number of members have paid their dues from the inception of this tenure till the time of compiling this report. At this juncture, let met thank immensely the gentlemen and ladies who made handsome donations for our GES and our magazine projects. On the other hand, majority of people are yet to redeem their pledges. As at the time I took over, there was about N92,000 in our account and as at the time of compiling this report, there was N927,000.
Our motto of Excellence, Unity and Prosperity is a call to action; a call we must obey for ourselves and our state.
Long live League of Akwa Ibom Professionals,
Long live Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Ekaette Umoh, ACA
Outgoing President ( As at the time of the report).
31.08.20.
