Our Culture, Our Pride, Quick Facts About Akwa Ibom
- Created on September 23, 1987
- Estimated population of about 7,200,000 people. The annual growth rate of the population is projected at 3.4%
- Area: 7,249 Square kilometers
- Location: Lying between Latitudes 4o32″ and 5033″ North and Longitudes 7035 and 8025 east. Bounded by Rivers State, Cross River State, Abia State and the Gulf of Guinea on the East, West, North and South respectively.
- Main Economic Activities: Fishing (for riverine and coastal dwellers), farming (mostly for upland dwellers), trading, artisanship and whitecollar services. A robust public sector employs significant proportion of the state labour force.
- Vegetation: Green foliage of trees and shrubs spanning 129km coastline from Oron to Ikot Abasi.
- Climate: Dry season (November – March), Wet season (April – October) Average temperature ranges from 230 to 310 centigrade.
- Political Setting: 31 LGAs with Uyo as the State Capital
- Growth Rate: Average growth rate is estimated at 3.2%
HISTORY OF AKWA IBOM INDIGENES ORGANISATION SOUTH AFRICA
The Akwa Ibom people of Nigeria arrived in South Africa in the early 1990’s and comprised of professionals and students scattered around South Africa. Compared to other ethnic groups from Nigeria we were very minute in number. Being the minority and faced with the challenges of making it in a foreign land, there was a desire to bring our people together.
The earliest move to bring our people together was pioneered by Mr. Etim Edet Okoko (aka Ette). He was a father figure, mentor and employer for many Akwa Ibom immigrants whom he helped in no small way to find their feet in South Africa. The initial meetings involved Cross River indigenes and Akwa Ibom indigenes.
In 2008, there was another move to gather our people together, this time with a focus on Akwa Ibom indigenes.
About 10 Akwa Ibomites came together to form Akwa Ibom Indigenes Organisation under the leadership of Pastor Godwin Umanah as President and Mr David Nkanang as Secretary. The initial meetings were held in Balfour Park. Later on some meetings were held in Southern Sun Hotel in Sandton but as majority of members resided in the Pretoria area, the moved to Pretoria.
The anniversary of Akwa Ibom State was celebrated in South Africa for the first time in October 2010 and at the same time, the organization was inaugurated.
Subsequently, due to many challenges, attendance at meetings dwindled again. In an attempt to keep the organisation alive, the Secretary, Mr David kanang who had a lot of passion was appointed as the Interim President in a meeting attended by Mr Geofrey Akpakpan, Mr Emmanuel Ekquere and Mr Okon Ekanem.
They worked hard mobilizing members and also reaching out then Akwa Ibom State Government. The Government was repre-sented by the then Chief of Staff Honourable Godwin Affangideh and Commissioner of Information Honoralbe Aniekan Umanah.
On 12th February 2012, at a general meeting, the Interim execu-tive was dissolved and a 5-member committee was appointed to conduct fresh elections. In order to foster a proper legal frame work for elections, the 5 member committee drafted a constitu-tion for the organisation.
The draft constitution was circulated to members and debated on at 3 consecutive meetings. The constitutions was adopted on 13th May 2012. Subsequently, elections were held as provided for by the constitution. On the 12th August 2012, a new President was elected and sworn in elections are held annually to this day.
