Association of [AKISAN], USA Inc. National Secretariat Headquarters P.O. Box 773317 Houston, Texas 77215-3317

THE 32ND ANNUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION FUNDRAISING DINNER, HOUSTON, TEXAS, AUGUST 3, 2019

A WELCOME ADDRESS BY AKISAN NATIONAL PRESIDENT MARGARET I. ITAUMA

I am very delighted to welcome you to the 32nd Annual Convention of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN) USA Inc. taking place in the beautiful city of Houston, Texas. I do so as the second female National President of AKISAN, after assuming office exactly one year ago, following a keenly contested election in which I was the only female candidate.

Let me at the outset thank the Almighty God for travelling mercies. I wish to welcome the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel and members of his Delegation. I take this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency on his re-election to a second term in office. I also wish to express my sincere thanks for the warm welcome given to me and members of Akwa Ibom Diaspora in the USA on our arrival in Nigeria for the events marking the Akwa Ibom Day in 2018 and, subsequently, for the Governor’s Swearing in Ceremony in May this year.

I am grateful to Mr. Udom Inoyo, the Vice Chairman, Exxon-Mobil Affiliates, Lagos, Nigeria for accepting the role to Chair this year’s Convention Fundraising Dinner, and for his commitment to the mission and goals of AKISAN.

I want to thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson, and the Mayor of City of Houston, Mr. Sylvester Turner, whose support for the Akwa Ibom Community in the Diaspora over the years is well known.

Special thanks to, the Rt. - Hon. Onofiok Luke, who represents Nsit-Ubium in the Nigerian Federal House of Representatives. His presence at this event, interest and support, are sincerely appreciated.

Finally, my sincere appreciation to all Akwa Ibom indigenes in the Diaspora; members of Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (AKISAN) U.S.A, Inc., their families, friends, and well- wishers. Members of other socio-cultural groups, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio USA and Canada, Mboho Ndito Ibibio, ONNA USA, Development Congress (EDC) Houston Chapter, Nto Annang Foundation, Offot Akwa and Ubium Development Association in USA, as well as all our distinguished guests.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I thank you all for honoring our invitation. I am aware that, by being here tonight, you did so at great personal sacrifice after setting aside other pressing commitments. Your kind gesture is sincerely appreciated. Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria [AKISAN], USA Inc. National Secretariat Headquarters P.O. Box 773317 Houston, Texas 77215-3317

According to Mahatma Ghandi, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. In my philosophy, that sacrifice is rewarding if its integrity driven. From day one, I committed to serve my community with transparency and accountability and I stand to be judged by my integrity and not my gender. In assuring this great organization of transparency and accountability, my administration will have an open book for auditing.

For effective implementation of our policy of inclusion and shared governance, we introduced quarterly National Teleconference to update the stakeholders (members) and also give them the opportunity to share views in the building of this organization. The outcome has been productive.

Our Youth wing is an integral part of this organization and our future leaders. Throughout the convention; they have activities of their interests scheduled. They are very creative and interested in promoting their culture. As parents; we encourage and support them in showcasing Akwa Ibom Culture.

As you may already know, our annual convention is the premier event for members of the Akwa Ibom in the Diaspora. It brings together thousands of attendees from all over the world, and offers opportunities for us to interact, renew acquaintance, and share experiences.

“Role of Healthcare, Education, and Technology in Building a Better Community,” was chosen as this year’s theme. The purpose was to recognize the contributions of experts in basic services and technology who have a shared interest in development in the homeland. Among the major features of this year’s convention is the Business Session, planned to facilitate networking and provide information to members of the Diaspora in those areas that will help establish reliable and sustainable systems and businesses.

Tonight, we want to renew our commitment to serve those in need, particularly, the vulnerable and those in disadvantaged conditions. Since I took office a year ago, my administration has focused on strategizing and developing necessary structures that will strengthen our association and prepare us to handle any challenge, consistent with the needs of our community. In setting our goals and defining the process of achieving our objectives, I realized that the task of community building is not easy. It requires collective efforts, enormous resources, dedication and determination. This is why, tonight, on behalf of AKISAN; I stand before you as a humble servant to appeal for your support. Justification for my appeal is that, if facilitated through partnership and collaboration, the basic needs of our communities can be readily met through the promotion of new ideas in technology, healthcare, and education.

The theme “Role of Healthcare, Education, and Technology in Building a Better Community,” is consistent with the policy package we adopted in 2018 when we took office. This was to ensure that AKISAN is repositioned to use its unique capabilities to provide opportunities for our Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria [AKISAN], USA Inc. National Secretariat Headquarters P.O. Box 773317 Houston, Texas 77215-3317 people to play a more effective, substantive, and productive role in community development. We, therefore, embarked on the following projects:

AKISAN Scholarship: Award of Scholarship to 62 deserving students in Akwa Ibom and 10 students in the USA.

The 2019 AKISAN flagship Scholarship Program recipients will be announced today, August 3rd 2019 to a total of 72 qualified applicants; 62 in Akwa Ibom State, (2 from each local government area) enrolled in institutions of higher learning for the 4 years duration of study. For students in the Universities in Nigeria, the Scholarship is 50,000 (Fifty Thousand) Naira and A One- Time 500.00 (Five Hundred) Dollars scholarship will also be awarded to 10 more deserving youths currently enrolled in a 4-year institution of learning in the USA

· Medical Mission: Execution of short-term Medical Mission in Akwa Ibom State in 2019

Planning for this project is in progress. Some medical supplies have already been shipped. October 20-24, 2019, a team of AKISAN volunteers with medical experts from various field of medicine from the USA will be visiting Akwa Ibom State to perform Medical Mission in three different sites.

1. Senatorial District: General Hospital

2. Senatorial District: General Hospital

3. Eket Senatorial District: Immanuel General Hospital

Our target is to touch lives of over 5000 citizens and treat a variety of medical conditions.

Building of Skills Acquisition Center in Akwa Ibom State

We have also initiated talks and received positive confirmation from the Akwa Ibom State Government regarding donation of land in support of the building of Skills Acquisition Center in the State. We will be reaching out to corporate partners like ExxonMobil, Banking institutions, Trade organizations and institutions of higher learning for collaboration in implementing a State- of-the-Art Training Center to enhance government efforts in poverty alleviation and job creation for our youths.

Tonight, let us reaffirm our commitment to the building of a healthy and educated community. I, therefore seize this opportunity to extend invitation to all our compassionate donors to join hands with us to accomplish our set goals and objectives.

Our funding requirements are as follows: Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria [AKISAN], USA Inc. National Secretariat Headquarters P.O. Box 773317 Houston, Texas 77215-3317

· Scholarship Awards $10,000 (Ten Thousand) Dollars per year. (Total Forty Thousand Dollars) for four years

· Medical Mission: 20,000 (Twenty Thousand) dollars per site. Total 60,000 (Sixty Thousand) Dollars for three sites.

· Building of Skills Acquisition Center at the cost of $100,000 (One Hundred Thousand) Dollars

I know the times are hard. I appreciate the sacrifices we have made already and I applaud your efforts. However, our young ones at home need our help. The health conditions are dire, and we cannot close our eyes and watch them suffer. Like the Good Samaritan let us rise to the occasion by opening our hearts and our wallet to ensure the less fortunate amongst us is not forgotten.

In closing, let me express my sincere gratitude to members of my cabinet who have demonstrated so much dedication and passion to the work of this great organization, the Council members, all Committee Chairs and members and the entire AKISAN family. To my Houston chapter, the host of this convention, what can I say: you are, simply, the best. Thank you for the southern hospitality and once again, I welcome you to the energy capital of the World.

Feel the energy, have fun, and please support our noble cause.

God bless AKISAN!

God bless Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria!!

God bless America!!!

Margaret I. Itauma AKISAN National President