By Kevin Lambert

One of the things America does best is to give the strivers of the world a chance to be judged on merit. When they succeed, they brighten up our society with organizations like the Sons of Italy, Hungarian Kossuth societies, and even the Ghanaian Crocodile Society. Such organizations are started by foreign- born Americans to keep a lifeline to their heritage, and to keep the good parts of the old country alive, invariably to the benefit of the new one.

Akwa Ibomites in America, since 1987, have looked to the Akwa Ibom State Association USA to keep them bonded to their roots. This is one of the oldest African associations in the United States, and its stated purpose is to "build their community through strength and spiritual values."

Emmanuel Umoh, born in Ikot Ektene but a U.S. resident since 1978, is the national president. He has degrees in systems and transportation planning. He describes his job as, "seeing that the policies are carried out by the national council; administrating programs, scholarships, and health circumstances – especially relating to AIDS – and planning for national council meetings, especially conventions."

Most of the member’s activities are concerned with helping Akwa Ibomites, here and back home, in whatever way they think they can. Scholastic and health issues are the mainstay. They also deal with legal issues, at least the civil kind, like immigration. Akwa Ibomites in America add virtually nothing to the crime rate; in all his time on the job they have never had occasion to call a criminal lawyer.
Members pay no dues, and no official gets paid. Their Website was erected by a volunteer. When Mr. Umoh talked to this writer, he used his own cell phone minutes.

Why emigrate?

No matter how well Akwa Ibom is being run, Africa is a poor continent with limited opportunities. "The [African] industrial base is not much," Mr. Umoh says, "and most educated Nigerians are absorbed into the government sector. There should be a wider industrial base – not just an isolated oil industry – so that an average person can be absorbed. The ‘in-betweens’ are not there. Educated people don’t want to be street vendors."

To achieve their objectives, the society solicits funds, usually from Akwa Ibomites, and friends of Akwa Ibom. "This could be someone married to an Akwa Ibomite or Ibo, or someone else from South-South. Generally everybody is a friend, but our history shows that mostly those from Akwa Ibom are the ones that donate. It is a culture-based organization." Then they take the money to Akwa Ibom and give it to either deserving organzations or people. Currently the accent is on AIDS awareness and prevention. In 2004 the Association awarded 62 scholarships to students in Akwa Ibom State

A typical member, Mr. Umoh says, can be described as, "a diehard Akwa Ibomite, a very busy person, working, possibly going to school, with a large family. He goes around to urge Akwa Ibomites in his community to attend meetings and to teach the children the things that identify them as Akwa Ibomites. Ibibio, for instance. There are 15,000 Ibibio speakers in the United States. We want to keep it and document it and keep it alive."

Dr. Phillip Udo-Inyang, a civil engineer living in Philadelphia, is the chairman of the association’s academic excellence project. He says the association has, "in terms of community development, related to people from each end of Nigeria, and it has also been able to do something rewarding there."

Privately, he returns to Akwa Ibom to present scholarships, both to deserving students and to some of the schools themselves. "The schools are free but the incidental expenses – uniforms, books – can kill you. Many kids come from very rural backgrounds and must stay in school dormitories." His last visit vastly improved the chances of 62 students. He does it because, "they are some bright kids. The ones who do well in high school, we’ll try to get more money to support them through univeristy. Developing the future is what we’re doing."

Nigerians generally excel upon arrival in America "Our educational background and cultural values gave us the opportunity to challenge ourselves,’ says Mr. Umoh.

Conventions

Asked what project gives him the most fun, he answers, "The convention. Every year America’s Akwa Ibomites get together for a national convention. It’s like a family reunion. Most Akwa Ibomites don’t take vacations, so that’s it." They mix educational programs with soccer games. Each chapter has a soccer team, and the conventions mark the only time they play.

There are cultural dances, drumming, and the women perform Abang dances. Children perform dances in a separate performance. There are sessions for mentoring, and chances to network. "We bring prominent Nigerians to come and share. Some of us who have been gone a long time need to know what’s going on," Mr. Umoh says. "Akwa Ibomite government officials can interact with locals to discuss business ventures. Governor Attah used that to develop his plans, in fact he met Dyncorp official through his 1999 visit." Dyncorp has gone on to contract to build Akwa Ibom’s new airport.

Speaking of Governor Attah, Mr. Umoh says, "I think he’s probably one of the most excellent governors. He has a true vision, but that does not necessarily translate into it all working. But his heart is there. He has moved the state farther from where it was. He is a very strong leader, one with a sense of direction."