PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS PRESENTED BY EBONG NSENTIP
On March 19th2011, a free and fair election was held by this Association and I was elected the President to manage the affairs of this great Association. Other members of the Executive Committee that were elected included Mr. Itoro Akpan Iquot (Vice President), Gentleman Ita Etim Edet (Secretary), Mr. Bassey (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Mike Nsuk (Treasurer), Mrs. Emily Emah (Financial Secretary), and Mr. Uduak Okpok Pro. I am humbled to have received numerous assurances from officers and members indicating their willingness to co- operate with me for this administration to be successful.
Aims of the Association:
The aims and objectives of this Association are listed in the constitution and I promise to abide by it. We will make copies available at the printing cost to any member.
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Accountability:
This administration will operate open book policy where transactions are made known and approved by the house. We will continue with the existing polices of rendering accounts and reports on time and when due. We will attempt to render quarterly reports. -
Respect and Membership:
Firstly, my aim is to ensure that everybody is acknowledged as somebody and all members are respected. I sincerely call for respect at all times so that our meetings will be interesting. Aggressive membership drive will be engaged to bring back old members and also attract new ones. We will adopt a strategy where one member brings back one or more old members.
I have visited some subgroups and requested them to furnish us with the contact and addresses of their members. We intend to publicize the activities of this Association to let people know that Akwa Ibom State Association is open to all AKS indigenes irrespective of origin, status and gender. We will endeavor to expand our membership to reflect the state character. -
Programs at hand:
We are aware of the programs embarked upon by the past administrations for the benefit of this community. We will continue with these programs but may be handling them by using different approaches. -
Welfare:
It is my opinion that this Association should know what is going on with our people here in the state of Georgia. We will continue to be our brothers / sisters keepers. I will strive to identify one representative from each of the 31 local Government areas that make up AKS to assist in contacting people from their LGA whom we may not know. They will assist to report what goes on within that community. Our interest in the affairs of our people will increase our membership and revenue. -
Youth Empowerment:
Our youths are sometimes left put in our activities. We intend to encourage our youths in community activities. Our youths in Institutions of higher learning will be encouraged to organize themselves and be involved in the management of the Association. Youth program will be held to raise funds to support them. We will use our abundant human resources to organize seminars on our culture, education and career opportunities for our youths. Greater attention will be given to our youths here in the state of Georgia as they need more help than those outside the USA. We will make representations to the National for our State Government to include our youths here in the award of grants and scholarships. -
The House Project:
The building of Akwa Ibom House is a task that must be accomplished. This house is a thing of joy, pride and outstanding achievement that no other AKISAN chapter has been able to accomplish. Our major problem is sourcing of funds. We will continue to dialogue with AKISAN National Executive committee to attract funding on partnership basis. Also the services of experts will be utilized to source for funds as a nonprofit organization. The recommendation of the past administration will be reviewed in its entirety to include relocation of the bathroom from the middle of the hall. We have to continually persuade our people to utilize the space for meetings and ceremonies to attract the much need revenue. Incentives will be extended to frequent users. -
Payment of dues:
I intend to call on our members to pay their outstanding dues as most people tend to ignore debts accrued in previous years. We will be sending reminders to members. I request members to pay dues quarterly or yearly to simplify the paper work. Plans are on the way for members to pay their dues electronically when approved by the house. -
Group Life Insurance Policy:
This chapter had embarked on group life insurance. We need to keep it up. I am aware that other people are emulating us. We will ensure that we get the best bargaining from the policy. -
Emergency Trust Fund:
We will encourage our members to participate in the National emergency trust fund so as to benefit from it. Also the local emergency trust fund will be reconciled so that members will know how much they have contributed. -
Hosting of meetings:
In the past, the Executive committee and some members have been sponsoring the hosting of meetings. It’s my plan to periodically call subgroups to host the meetings. They will be requested to come with their entire members and I do solicit everybody’s support to make this proposal a success. -
National Association:
There is strength in unity. I call everyone to team up with the National Association in their endeavors. I promise to present our concerns at each given time to the National for consideration. I call on members to make adequate arrangements to attend the forth coming convention at Miami as important sections of the constitution will be amended. -
General:
We as indigenes of Akwa Ibom State residing here in Atlanta Metropolis should love one another. We should pray seriously for our land at this time and week that elections are in progress. We should recall some wordings in the old Nigerian National Anthem that say though tongue and tribe may differ in brotherhood we stand. Let us stand together and build this association so that we will hand over to our children an association without stain. Once again, unbehalf of all members of the executive committee, I sincerely solicit your cooperation.
Thank you for your continuous support as we promise to do our best.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to drop us a note. We will definitely get back to you.
Sincerely,
EBONG NSENTIP
1-678-557-7811
President, Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (USA), Inc. (Atlanta Chapter)
April 23, 2011