By Victor Essang
UYO
The Akwa Ibom State Association of Communities’ Presidents Worldwide (ASACOP) has formally launched its first-ever international conference, with a pledge to deepen diaspora participation in the state’s development through partnership.
The international president of ASACOP, Obong Itoro Akpan-Iquot, an engineer, made the pledge over the weekend in Uyo at their inaugural conference which has the theme: Akwa Ibom State across the World: Promoting Diaspora Values.
The maiden conference also explored aligning diaspora initiatives with the state government’s ARISE Agenda.
Akpan-Iquot, who said “We are here to recognize, promote and celebrate the Akwa Ibom diaspora”, stressed the need for indigenes of the state residing abroad to contribute towards the growth of the state.
“Together we can achieve even more for our people, rather than as separate entities. Also, we have a deeper and wider pool of individuals and professionals to draw from.
“We firmly believe that we are the only ones, as Akwa Ibomites, to build and develop our state. We are unapologetically Akwa Ibom. We want Akwa Ibom to be the best state in Nigeria and the world.
“To this effect, we encourage the establishment of our own businesses, the supporting of our own businesses financially and the hiring of our people. This philosophy will ensure employment of our people, an increase in the GDP of our state and an increase in internally generated revenue through taxes. If we can achieve this, there is no telling how far we can go as a state”, he said.
While calling for greater economic involvement, the ASACOP international president urged Akwa Ibom diaspora to emulate Dr Uwem Equan, who commissioned a ₦300 million bottled-water factory in Nkim Itam, Itu Local Government Area, by investing in home-grown enterprises.
Commenting on the achievements of the association, Iquot noted that ASACOP has partnered the Akwa Ibom State Government in 2022 to relocate 40 internally displaced indigenes, raising $5,000 to support them.
He said the association is currently awarding N100,000 each to two students (male and female) from every local government area, totalling N6.2 million in education support.
The international president, who disclosed that ASACOP has contributed to the construction of the Slave Memorial Monument at Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort in 2024, announced that “Plans are underway for medical missions and other life-changing projects across the state”.
Iquot appealed to the speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly to sponsor a bill establishing a Commission for Indigenes in Diaspora and Internal Migrants to better coordinate engagement between the diaspora and the state government.
The chairman of Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation (AKICORP), Obong Ide Owodiong Idemeko, who delivered the keynote address, described the conference as a welcome development and very timely, saying, “We will leverage on it and see how we can derive the benefits”.
Idemeko stressed the need for AKICORP to partner diaspora community to take advantage of investment opportunities that abound in the state.
High point of the event was the award of educational grants to indigent students.
At the gala and award night, deserving Akwa Ibomite received award, among whom were the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who received diaspora legacy award, while the speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, Obong Victor Attah, Mr Unyime Idem, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Dr Elisha Attai, Obong Ide O. Idemeko, Prince Enobong Uwah, Moriah Inyang-Otu received diaspora honourary awards including the international president.
ASACOP is a non-profit platform uniting national presidents of Akwa Ibom communities worldwide. The body is modeled after the Commonwealth of Nations, with membership drawn from past and serving national presidents of Akwa Ibom communities worldwide. It has grown to embrace 22 countries.
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