Excitement as Ibiono Ibom Development Association, Lagos, Swears in New Executive
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Excitement as Ibiono Ibom Development Association, Lagos, Swears in New Executive
By Emmanuel Ukpong
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It was a moment of excitement, joy and nostalgia recently, as members of the newly elected Excos of Ibiono Ibom Welfare Development Association, IWADA, Lagos, were sworn in as new executives for a two-year tenure with a charge to them to defend the interest of the group and promote members welfare at all times.
The event, which took place on Sunday, 13th July, 2025, at the Secretariat of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Surulere, Lagos, witnessed a large turnout of excited indigenes of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, who are residents in Lagos, as well as invited guests.
The swearing-in of elected officers was carried out by Akparawa (Barr.) Cletus Udoh as he first swore in the president of the group before he conducted the same ceremony for other members of the newly inaugurated executives, after which each of them was made to sign a copy of the Oath of Office.
The newly inaugurated executive were Aniekan Ntuen, President; Emmanuel Nse, VP 1; Atim Archibong, VP 2; Nsikak Edet Etuk, General Secretary; Kingsley Aniekan, Asst. Secretary; George Edet, Public Relations Officer (PRO); and Joseph Daniel, Assistant PRO.
Others are Edem Eyo, Financial Secretary; Stanley Inua, Assistant Financial Secretary; Emmanuel Idiong, Treasurer; Emmanuel Edet, Auditor; and Akparawa (Barr.) Cletus Eyoh, Legal Consultant.
Other officers inaugurated included Stephen S. Jackson, Chief Welfare Officer; Pius Eyo, Provost; Michael Edet; Aniekan Archibong; and Edem Sunday.
Shortly after, Barr. Cletus Udoh admonished members of the Executive to consider themselves fortunate to have been given the opportunity to serve the people as he reminded them that community work entails commitment, dedication and showing of a sense of responsibility, which he reminded them to exhibit at all times.
The President-General of Uyo Senatorial District Association in Lagos, Chief Matthew Udoheyop, who spoke at the event, urged the executive officers to get ready to work and defend the association for the betterment of the indigenes.
Udoheyop also warned them against competition amongst themselves but advised them to work in collaboration, coordination, synergy and with team spirit to achieve their mandates and better the lots of their indigenes. He assured them of his unalloyed support for the new leadership and readiness to offer useful advice to them. He stressed that responsible leadership is derived from wisdom and advised them to seek after it so as to help them in the discharge of their duty.
Chief Udoheyop advised them to co-opt men and women with wisdom for direction and useful advice, as he warned them against being wrongly used. He promised to pay a return visit to the IWADA Executive with his cabinet members on oversight functions and counsel.
An executive delegation of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Lagos, led by Akparawa Uwem Idaha, was at the venue with a goodwill message for the new executive.
Speaking on behalf of other members, Akparawa Uwem Idaha urged the newly sworn-in officers to work to ensure unity, expansion, progress and taking the Association to the next level of development. He promised to synergise with the new leadership to ensure success as he, on behalf of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Lagos, promised them financial support.
In a nostalgic introspection on the emergence of the Association, Dr (Elder) Asuquo Ekanem and Chief Stephen D. Etim, both Elder Statesmen from Ibiono Ibom LGA, speaking during the event, recalled their efforts in nurturing the growth of the Association during their times as executive and dedicated members in the seventies and how their individual and collective efforts helped to sustain the growth of the community.
They thanked Barr Cletus Udoh, Prince Emmanuel Ukpong Idiong, Mr Uwem Udofia and others for maintaining the momentum and ensuring a seamless transition to the present leadership. They pledged their total support to the new executive, as they assured them of their advice whenever it is needed.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of other members of the Executive, President of IWADA, Lagos, Mr Aniekan Ntuen, said they are totally humbled and profoundly honoured by the responsibility bestowed on them and promised the introduction of innovations in the conduct of their meeting in line with the mandate given to them.
He described the presence of Ibiono Ibom indigenes from all walks of life at the occasion as a testament to their enduring commitment and unflinching loyalty to the development of the community.
Ntuen outlined some of his mission statement to include rebuilding Ibiono Ibom, which he declared is a solemn duty, promising to also work tirelessly to restore the dignity, pride and voice of Ibiono Ibom in the diaspora and at home.
He further assured his audience that the present leadership under his watch will help to foster unity, togetherness, inclusivity and rebuild trust amongst the people.
As part of his mission statement, the newly elected president promised to work vigorously to secure a permanent meeting venue that they can proudly call their home as well as improve on the financial strength of IWADA, Lagos, with an assurance to stand up for the indigenes in times of need.
He ended his speech with a pledge to lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability while he solicited the indigenes support, counsel, and active participation, which, as declared, will help them to achieve their mandates.
He challenged the people of Ibiono Ibom to rise up to build a stronger, united and vibrant community where courage, progress and brotherhood will be seen as a hallmark.
Prince Emmanuel Ukpong Idiong, Mr Uwem Udofia, and Mrs Atim Archibong, who spoke on behalf of other indigenes during the occasion, said the day’s event was a significant milestone in the annals of their community association and a further demonstration of their resilience to forge ahead.
It is interesting to note that the Ibiono Ibom Welfare and Development Association (IWADA), Lagos, was established in 1957 and has witnessed significant growth over the years.
IWADA, according to the report, has galvanised and mobilised the indigenes of Ibiono Ibom LGA into an indivisible entity, ensuring the growth and welfare of its members and indigenes alike since its establishment.
It is also on record that IWADA has carried out financial empowerment and skills acquisition for her indigenes, as well as offering scholarships to students of Ibiono Ibom extraction in Lagos.
The inauguration of the new executives after a successful conduct of election in June, 2025, was received with joy, excitement and hope for a better future by the people of Ibiono Ibom LGA, and it is believed that the new executive, just inaugurated into office, will continue to tread on the same path of progress and development earlier established by their predecessors.
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