Akwa Ibom Impact Initiative (Akwaima) inaugurated, pledges to impact society meaningfully

Civil society group by name Akwa Ibom Impact Initiative was inaugurated, Saturday, NegroidHaven can report. The inauguration ceremony which was themed : ‘The need to stay United’ was conducted at Tokyu Grand Hotel, Stadium Road, Rumuomasi, Port Harcourt. 

Mr Ekufre Abraham Davis the coordinator of the group, while speaking to our correspondent at the venue of the inauguration after the ceremony, explained that the essence of the group is to foster unity amongst indigenes of Akwa Ibom especially those living and doing business outside Akwa Ibom. He observed that a characteristic disunity had resulted in Akwa Ibomites living as a people without an identity. For him, the Initiative christened Akwaima was created to address that challenge of dearth of mutual cohesiveness. 

According to Ekufre, ‘We, Akwa Ibomites, there’s something we lack and that is unity. In Port Harcourt where I was born and bred, I discovered that we are not united. This is one of the major challenges we are facing. 

Mr Ekufre Abraham Davis (L) sitting at the platform with with a leading member of Akwa Ibom Impact Initiative

‘So, it has come to me that we are living as people without an identity. I thought to evolve this group so that we Akwa Ibomites here in Port Harcourt and in every other place in the world would know there is an identity that comes with us —that is why this group was created’, he added. 

When our correspondent further pressed to know how indigenes of Akwa Ibom welcomed the idea of a unifying civil society group, Ekufre noted that they were initially critical but later on were comfortable with the Initiative. 

His words, ‘Initially, the people I met here in Rivers State were like reluctant because they felt that nothing good can come out of Akwa Ibom, most of them felt that since no group that is born from Akwa Ibom had lasted, this may not last, so they had some fears. Later these same persons came back to reason with me that there was a need for us to get together to build this thing —that’s where we are now. I give God all the glory’. 

Mr Ekufre addressing the audience…

Ekufre used the opportunity to call on both the government, corporate entities and well meaning sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom to poll themselves into the Initiative to change lives. For him, changing lives positively would result to unity. According to him, ‘One of the challenges we are facing now is support. The Initiative is in dire need of able individuals to come into the group, demonstrate support, so that we can change lives. Live is the most important thing. So, if we can touch lives, it means we are showing love —that is where the unity comes. 

‘We have come to understand that government cannot do everything on their own. Government cannot do all except we the people do something to help the government. They can only do their part, while we can help them do the other part. Let’s take the state to another level. I am calling on the NDDC, other government agencies, commissions, departments, Chevron, Shell, everybody that is doing business in Akwa Ibom to consider partnering with us. 

Ekufre hinted about a programme to be held next year precisely in April –Akwa Ibom Cultural Day. He talked about a code of conduct that members must acquiesce with which is intended to instill discipline, togetherliness, progress, etc. 

Also, speaking at the event was one Mr Ambo Ekpenyong, a lecturer with Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), who addressed the audience on the theme —unity. Mr Ekpenyong who differentiated between what Akwa Ibom indigenes ‘want’ and what they ‘need’, noted that the Initiative will rise to prominence should they stand united. He said that unity does not mean there won’t be disagreement, but, that there should be management of disagreement. According to him, ‘Unity comes with disagreement, but, after the disagreement, we must come to a compromise. Before you call a place a forest, there must be trees united together.’ 

Pastor Princess Joy, Pastor Oto-Obong Ikon, Mr Iboro Akperedem, etc They spoke in turn pledging their commitment and encouraging others to consider affiliating with the Initiative. 

The Initiative whose vision revolves around ‘collaborating to build a united and prosperous Akwa Ibom State’ has announced through her coordinator that she will be demonstrating charity, visiting police holding cells, etc. 

Highpoint of the occasion was the formal inauguration of the Initiative via a prayer session led by Pastor Godstime Akpan.