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Last Updated on October 5, 2023

At the time of the election in 2020, the association was in need of dire change. I was elected as the national president to a 2-year term and this led to the Itoro Akpan-Iquot Administration that started in August of 2020.

In August, 2021, the AKISAN USA constitution was amended to allow for national presidents to run for a second term in office, serving a maximum of two terms.  In August of 2022, I was unanimously elected to a 2nd term making me not only the first national president in the association’s history to serve a 2nd term but also the first US-born national president to ever be elected to office, not once but twice.

Click here to download my full Assessment report PDF

It has been a whirlwind 3 years for the organization but the results have been clear for all to see – renewed trust in the organization, increased membership, more transparency, inclusiveness and accountability, introduction of projects to develop human capacity, more innovation in areas like fundraising among others, as well as an increase in outreach and publicity, both in Akwa Ibom State and the United States, especially via social media.

Of course, all this wouldn’t be possible without you, the general membership, the sponsors and the donors.  On behalf of AKISAN USA, I thank each and every one of you.  You are because we are…and we are because you are.

Find below, the list of achievements the association has scored in the last 27 months:

  • Except for the 2022 medical mission, all other monies used to execute projects have been contributed by private donors

  • The AKISAN USA logo and letterhead were redesigned within the first 100 days of this administration, as part of a rebranding strategy
  • 2022 medical mission carried out in 3 Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State that have never felt our presence (Itu, Udung Uko and Uruan).  10,000 patients seen and treated, 150+ surgeries.
  • Scholarships awarded to 185 students in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, in the amount of N12m

  • Scholarships awarded to 13 students in the United States, in the amount of $6,500
  • Raised about $15,000 in sponsorship money for the 2022 national convention

  • Raised about $30,000 in sponsorship money for the 2023 national convention
  • Raised over $10,000 in external funding for our 2022 scholarship program
  • Raised about $10,000 in external funding for the 2021/22 Mr. & Ms. AKISAN USA projects
  • Raised about $3,000 in external funding for the 2022 medical mission
  • Raised about $11,000 in external funding for various welfare programs (face masks, AKISAN-branded face caps and wool caps, flowers for members who have lost loved ones, etc.)

  • Raised about $6,000 in external funding for Mr. & Ms. AKISAN USA (2021/22) Projects in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and The United States
  • Helped raise funds to assist the victims of windstorm damage in Nung Asang Ikono, in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria in May. 2023
  • Founding member of the Forum of Akwa Ibom National Presidents Worldwide, established in November, 2021.  The purpose of this group is to gather Akwa Ibomites worldwide to speak with one voice, implement projects as one and to be a voice for the voiceless
    • In April, 2022, the group brought the attention of the world to the plight of Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Akwa Ibom State origin in Katsina State, Nigeria.  We were able to raise $5,000 for this group and also got the Akwa Ibom State Government to help relocate 39 individuals back to Akwa Ibom State
  • Relaunched a redesigned “Mbuk Akwa Ibom” quarterly magazine. 
  • AKISAN USA had a monthly radio program, “Akwa Ibom Abroad”, on XL106.9FM in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.  It ran for a year.  Each episode updates the public with the latest information, relative to what AKISAN USA is doing for the indigenes of Akwa Ibom State 
  • Revived the women’s wing of the organization.  On August, 2022, the women’s constitution was ratified by the convention.
  • Unsolicited mention on the “Amen Remix” music video, by Progress Effiong, featuring Ikpa Udo and Lybra Baba
  • Paid regular visits to all our vocational training partners, to speak to the students and monitor their progress
    • Successfully completed 5 batches on vocational training each in Information Technology and Cosmetology.  Also completed 1 batch each in Culinary Arts and Agrobusiness
    • Following up with the progress of the students.  Read the full report, to date, here.
  • Designed a flag for the association
  • Commissioned an anthem for the association (Listen to it here).

Click here to download my full Assessment report PDF

  • Bold, Fresh Ideas
      • Projects are not funded directly from AKISAN’s purse but from private donations 
      • Added vocational training to the list of our projects.  Currently, there are about 100 students who have been taught in Software/Web Development, Culinary Arts, Agribusiness and Cosmetology, with more to follow. 
      • Partnership with Association of Movie Producers, Akwa Ibom Chapter and introduced “Movie Day” at the 2022 National Convention with proceeds split between both parties
      • Introduced annual ping pong tournament at the national convention.  This is now in its 2nd iteration
      • Introduced the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, at the 2021 convention, to “Books for Africa”, headed by an Akwa Ibomite, an organization that can provide books for any class and discipline at a fraction of the cost.  A typical container contains 23,000 books and each book is valued anywhere between $10 and $50, depending on grade level and discipline.

      • Introduced to the SSG, at the 2021 convention, an Akwa Ibomite, Mr. Clement Udotong,  who manufactures phones, laptops and tablets and is willing to set up a manufacturing plant in Akwa Ibom State 
      • Introduced bi-annual virtual town hall meetings so that the general membership is made aware of policies, rules and general information to be discussed at council meetings the month after.
      • Hosted several online webinars for the benefit of the general membership (Taxes for Entrepreneurs, How to Run a Non-Profit, etc.)
      • Partnership with TapTap Send, a money transfer company.  First time users get additional $10 with their first transfer.  AKISAN USA gets a commission with every transfer 
      • Created a WhatsApp community group for all active AKISAN chapter members to that their members can get information, first hand, from the national body
  • Welfare
      • Through a network of AKISAN members who are life insurance agents, instituted an individual policy life insurance program for the general membership 
      • Provided various discounts to members for airfare (Delta Airlines), medical prescriptions (SGRX) and providing the ability for members to, from the US, order medical prescriptions for their loved ones in Nigeria (Diaspocare), from over 6,000 board certified and approved pharmacies 
      • Calling of chapters regularly and sending flowers to families of AKISAN members who have lost loved ones, all sponsored by the welfare committee members 
      • Helped rally for funds to bury an Akwa Ibomite in the Dallas, Texas area whose corpse would have otherwise been buried in a pauper’s cemetery 
      • Helped raise funds for a widow in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Itoro Mbuk, who was suffering from breast cancer, who was abandoned by her family.  Also helped arrange, through an anonymous donor, a scholarship for Itoro’s son, Moses, from SS1 to any level of education in a Nigerian public institution
      • Helped locate an Akwa Ibomite who had gone missing since 1984 and reported same to his family to bring closure to them.  Unfortunately, the individual had passed a couple of years ago 
      • Helped a family in Nigeria bring closure to the case of their brother, now deceased, whom they hadn’t heard from in over 40 years.
         
      • Created a forum of national presidents of Akwa Ibom communities worldwide:
        There is strength in numbers.  Together, we can all speak as one voice and combine to work on bigger, more impactful projects, help bring to light issues that otherwise have been overlooked.

        Currently in the forum, there are national presidents from Nigeria, US, the UK, Scotland, South Africa, India, Israel, Dubai, Canada and Ghana. 
      • Visited with several chapters, with visits to many more lined up
  • Working with a beauty supply manufacturer, Mr. Idowu Etefia, in the United States who will award cash prizes, in the amount of N25,000 to participants in the cosmetology training program, with the winner getting the opportunity to work with Mr. Etefia to export their products to the United States for sale

    Currently, Mr. Etefia has worked with our trainer, in collaboration with our students, to export over 10,000 bars of natural soap to the US, for sale in Walmart, CVS pharmacies and beauty supply stores across the country.

Click here to download my full Assessment report PDF

  • Involved the younger generation in the running of the organization
      • 2 cabinet members, at the time of their appointment, were under 40 
      • Included national youth presidents in all council meetings 
      • Included youth in critical committees of the organization (constitution, finance, convention, health, etc) 
      • Worked to ensure the youth and their role are enshrined in our constitution.  In August, 2021, the youth constitution, “Nwed Mbet”, was ratified by the convention 
      • Webmaster role has been handed over to a youth member

  • Run an all-inclusive administration
      • 2 cabinet members are women, including our 2nd ever National Vice President 
      • All chapters are represented at the committee level 
      • Council meetings are hosted by smaller chapters
      • Youth and Board of Trustees are now a part of our WhatsApp chat rooms

  • Total transparency
      • Financial reports are presented monthly 
      • Every communication that’s sent out is shared with all branches of the association

  • Total accountability
    • Every committee has been put to work and results are expected of them 
    • Encouraging online payments (dues, donations, etc) for better accountability
  • Finances
    • Proper management of the association’s finances 
    • Digitized all our finances and financial reports 
    • Seeking external funding, outside of convention, for projects and programs 
    • Seeking partnerships with businesses and AKISAN chapters to save money 
    • Even after budget approval, we don’t spend money we don’t have 
    • Receipts for all expenses are made available to members, upon request 
    • Development of financial reporting templates for convention and medical mission, for consistency
       
  • Making AKISAN run more efficiently
    • Medical mission and scholarship processes are being reviewed 
    • Partnering with other AKISAN chapters, nonprofits and corporations on projects 
    • Constitution committee has been empowered to meet regularly and suggest policy/potential constitutional amendments for the good of the association.  To date, various constitutional amendments have been ratified by the convention in August, 2021
    • The association now follows the financial manual and employs QuickBooks for all its financial reporting 
    • Meetings and other events start and end on time 
    • IT committee working on a database of members

Click here to download my full Assessment report PDF

 

  • Better communication
      • Taking more advantage of social media to market the association, our events and programs (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram):
        • 141,029 people reached (2020)
        • 256,989 people reached (2021)
        • 104,857 people reached (As of April 6, 2022)
      • Participated in various radio, television and print interviews in Akwa Ibom State to help sensitize the public about what AKISAN USA is and what we do. 
      • Organized virtual roadshows, happy hours, and awareness programs to sensitize the membership on association programs and to foster a sense of community

  • Equity
      • All chapters and their respective members are treated equally and with respect

  • Increased Membership
    • As of November, 2022, we have added 2 new chapters to the fold.

Click here to download my full Assessment report PDF

 

Itoro Akpan-Iqout

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