Preserving Our Heritage, Empowering Our Youth

The Akwa Ibom Language Program (A.I.L.P.), spearheaded by the AKISAN USA Cultural Committee, is a collaborative effort between AKISAN USA and the Akwa Ibom State Government. This groundbreaking initiative is designed to preserve and promote the Akwa Ibom language and culture among youth both in the United States and Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

With the generous support of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, including his $5,000 pledge toward an Akwa Ibom language competition, this program is gaining traction as one of the most impactful cultural preservation projects undertaken by AKISAN USA.

This initiative is not just about language; it’s about identity, heritage, and fostering a connection between Akwa Ibom youth and their roots while empowering them to thrive in their global communities.

Mission

The mission of the Akwa Ibom Language Program (A.I.L.P.) is to motivate our youth, ages 13–35, to learn the Ibibio language (and other Akwa Ibom dialects). Through engaging bi-weekly online classes and asynchronous lessons, we aim to help young people discover their cultural identity and embrace their heritage within the Akwa Ibom community.

In addition to language, the program integrates other cultural components such as traditional dance, cooking, idioms, and storytelling to create a comprehensive cultural preservation effort.

Vision

• Year 1 (2025): Train at least 25 youth in speaking the Ibibio language at various levels.
• Year 4: Expand the program to include 150 youth speaking and writing Ibibio at varying levels, while broadening the curriculum to students from Pre-K through post-graduate levels.

Our vision is rooted in building intergenerational connections, encouraging families to practice the language together through storytelling and cultural activities. This approach reinforces community bonds and ensures the preservation of Akwa Ibom heritage.

Program Details

This program includes structured language competitions divided into three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, with tailored curricula at each level.

Beginner Level

• Learning basic phrases, greetings, and introductions.
• Identifying numbers, colors, and common phrases.
• Creating basic sentences with mixed English and Ibibio.

Intermediate Level

• Forming more complex sentences.
• Responding to questions and prompts with minimal delay.
• Limited use of English (penalties for overuse).

Advanced Level

• Engaging in fluent conversations with multi-sentence responses.
• Precision and minimal delay required.
• Strict penalties for English usage.

The competition encourages learning, growth, and cultural appreciation, with rewards that foster participation and excellence.

Cost of Enrollment

• One-time registration fee: $100
• Monthly fee (7 months): $70 ($10 per month)
• Total cost: $170

This fee covers access to live classes, curriculum materials, and participation in the language competition.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

FAQs

Q: Will other dialects like Anaang, Oron, or Eket be included?
A: Yes, certain dialects will be incorporated based on available resources and curriculum levels.

Q: Why is the program limited to ages 13–35?
A: This is a pilot program. As we expand, we plan to include younger children and additional staff to support a broader audience.

Q: Can I learn the language without participating in the competition?
A: Absolutely! While the competition is an exciting feature, the primary goal is to encourage learning and cultural appreciation.

Class Details & Attendance Policy
● Classes will be held twice a week (schedule finalized by students & teacher
availability).
● 1 class will be synchronous and another asynchronous.
● Class topics will vary, quizzes, and exams will be provided every month.
● Assignments will vary from physical text messages, identification, fill-in worksheets, audio message, video recordings, and live conversations.
● Due to limited live classes per month, more than 2 absences per month will cause a immediate disqualification from the competition.
● 3 or more absences in the same month will result in total dropping from the A.I.L.P program and competition completely. No exceptions!

● What about teaching the other dialects? (E.g. Ibibio, Eket, Oron, Anaang, etc.)
○ We will incorporate other dialects in future iterations of the program.
● Why don’t we expand the age limit? (e.g. below the age of 13 years…)
○ This is a pilot program. The eventual goal is to expand to a wider audience and add more staff. But due to capacity restraints we must adhere to this limit.
○ We encourage parents to begin teaching their kids, so by time they reach the age of 13 they
will be able to participate in the higher tiers of the program.

● Are there rolling admissions for this program?
○ Yes, there is a 2-week rolling admissions process. Which means the DEADLINE for students will
be on February 17th, 2025 at 11:59PM EST. We won’t accept any later enrollments.

● What if I want to learn the Ibibio language, but I don’t want to participate in the
competition?
a)The curriculum comprises of materials for both the competition and Ibibio language.
● What if I only want to compete and don’t want to be a part of the A.l.L.P.?
a)This can be done, however, we will be requesting an enrollment fee of $100. Due to the cost and resources
needed to coordinate and provide award materials to all participants. If an individual decides to change they
will still need to pay the $70
required for the competition.
● How will the prize money be awarded?
a)
The prize money will be modified based on the number of participants and the different levels of Ibibio
language mastery a student has. Please be aware, due the critical nature of this program, prize money will
be skewed towards beginners who are learning the language for the 1st-time, our goal is to make sure
Youth & Young Professionals feel encouraged to participate!
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
● My child is not of age, based on the age range. Will you guys consider my child?
To learn the Ibibio language, and be in the competition?
a) The curriculum comprises of materials for both the competition and Ibibio language.
● When is the last day to finalize payment to enroll? ALL Payments, will be required
to be submitted by February 28th, 2025 at 11:59PM EST?
a) We won’t accept any later payments, and enrollments will stop at this point in time.
● What if I didn’t learn via the learning program, and I wanted to sign-up later doing
the convention to participate?
a) You will still need to take a placement exam to determine if you are able to meet the minimum
requirement to participate, and then you will compete to get a semi-finalist and finalist position prior to the competition date. Also, you will still pay the $100 enrollment fee for the competition.

Committees Supporting the Initiative

This initiative is supported by various committees within AKISAN USA to ensure its success:

• Cultural Committee: Oversight and curriculum development.
• Youth Affairs Committee: Outreach to youth chapters and fostering engagement.
• Convention Planning Committee: Organizing competition logistics and award ceremonies.
• Information Technology Committee: Developing online platforms and managing student databases.
• Budget & Finance Committee: Reviewing funding and donations to support the program.

Acknowledging Governor Pastor Umo Eno

We extend our deepest gratitude to His Excellency, Governor Pastor Umo Eno, for his unwavering support and dedication to cultural preservation and youth empowerment. His partnership has laid the foundation for a program that will transform lives and secure Akwa Ibom’s cultural legacy for generations to come.

Join Us Today!

Be part of this exciting journey to preserve our heritage and empower the next generation. Learn the language, participate in the competition, and help keep the Akwa Ibom culture alive.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

Let’s build a future where Akwa Ibom’s rich culture and language continue to thrive!