Acceptance Speech by newly elected International President of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, the 10th President, ObongIwaad Captain Willie Mbong 

Acceptance Speech by newly elected International President of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, the 10th President, ObongIwaad Captain Willie Mbong 

AN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY OBONGIWAAD (CAPT.) WILLIE OKON MBONG, THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT OF AFIGH IWAAD EKID, ON THE OCCASION OF THE SWEARING-IN OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF AFIGH IWAAD EKID, NOVEMBER 2ND, 2025, AT ANIMEKS AUDITORIUM

PROTOCOL

1. On behalf of my family and the 10th International Executive Council of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, I return all glory and gratitude to the Almighty God for granting us life, strength, and the privilege to witness this epoch-making event in good health and renewed unity.

2. I am profoundly thankful to God for His grace and mercy, and for finally bringing the long desired peace to Afigh Iwaad Ekid. It is by His divine orchestration that the long awaited elections were successfully conducted, culminating in my election and swearing-in today, the 2nd of November 2025, as the 10th International President of this noble organization, alongside the newly inaugurated International Executive Council.

3. I am reminded today that God’s timing is perfect. His plans for mankind never fail though they may appear delayed, they surely come to pass in their appointed time (Habakkuk 2:3). This moment is indeed a fulfillment of divine purpose.

4. Today marks a new dawn in the history of Afigh Iwaad Ekid and the entire Ekid Nation. History has been made as a new International Executive Council takes the mantle to steer the affairs of our great organization for the next three years.

5. On behalf of the new Executive Council, I express deep appreciation to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his fatherly love towards Afigh Iwaad Ekid and the Ekid Nation. His timely intervention through the constitution of a Stakeholders’ Committee to restore peace and unity remains a lasting testament to his leadership. To the glory of God, that peace has birthed the event we celebrate today.

6. My profound gratitude goes to the Chairman of the Stakeholders’ Committee, Mkpisong (Dr.) Samuel Udonsak, the ever dedicated President General of EPU, whose commitment to Ekid’s collective interest remains unwavering. I equally appreciate the Co-chairman, Mkpisong Rt. Hon. Frank Archibong, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, a dependable pillar of Ekid Nation; the Chairmen of Eket, Esit Eket, and Onna LGAs; our three legislators representing Ekid in the State House of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Pat Ifon; Sir (Barr.) Bassey Dan Abia, Secretary General of EPU and Secretary of the Stakeholders Committee; and all committee members who sacrificed their time, energy, and resources to achieve the peace and unity we now enjoy. May God bless you all abundantly.

7. I equally acknowledge the Chairman of the Advisory Council, Obongiwaad (Pat) Isaiah Abia, the past Presidents-General, and all Advisory Council members. Your dedication, wisdom, and selfless contributions; financial and otherwise were instrumental in restoring harmony and order. You are indeed true leaders of character and conviction.

8. I respectfully recognize our revered traditional rulers HRM Edidem E.C.D. Abia, Paramount Ruler of Eket; HRH Uso-Oduok Etteudo Ikott, Eket Offiong Clan Head and President of Esup Mbong Ekid; HRH Ekanem Enim, Clan Head of Afaha; our great Grand Patrons, Chief Nduese Essien and Elder Benji Udobia; as well as Patrons like Crown Prince Bassey Itama and other distinguished Ekid leaders of thought. Your confidence in me, beginning from the consultations and adoption processes, gave me the moral strength to accept this noble call to serve.

9. To my esteemed Executive Council members and all members of Afigh Iwaad Ekid worldwide, I say a heartfelt thank you. Your faith, encouragement, and votes of confidence have placed upon me a sacred mandate to serve faithfully, transparently, and selflessly. I pledge, by the grace of God, never to betray your trust. Let us see this not as a personal victory but as a divine call to service for the growth and unity of Ekid Nation.

10. I must sincerely appreciate the Rebuild Campaign Council from the Caucus Chairman to the Director-General, the inner caucus, and every dedicated member. Your resilience, strategy, and sacrifices; financial, intellectual, and emotional, made this victory possible. Only God can truly reward your labor of love. Thank you deeply.

11. As outlined in my manifesto, our administration will pursue people-oriented and achievable programs anchored on unity, revitalization, and restoration. Our agenda will focus on membership revalidation and database reconciliation, empowerment and skills acquisition, educational support, and agricultural development. These initiatives will reposition Afigh Iwaad Ekid as a formidable force for progress and prosperity within the Ekid Nation.

12. Under my leadership, Afigh Iwaad Ekid shall work collaboratively with the Eket People’s Union (EPU), Esup Mbong Ekid, Women Organizations, and other socio-cultural bodies, within and beyond Ekid land, to protect our collective interest. We shall firmly defend our ancestral inheritance; our lands, heritage, and dignity. No inch of our heritage shall be surrendered under our watch.

13. Our administration shall also align with and support the A.R.I.S.E. Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, particularly programs and projects beneficial to Ekid Nation. Afigh Iwaad Ekid will be a dependable partner in community development and government collaboration.

14. We acknowledge that this new administration is like a newborn child requiring nurturing, care, and collective support to grow strong. Hence, we appeal for moral, material, and financial support from all well-meaning sons and daughters of Ekid Nation to help us hit the ground running.

15. To effectively reposition Afigh Iwaad Ekid, we must address some immediate needs:

Administrative Office: We urgently need to secure and equip an office in a central location for effective coordination and daily operations. This includes furniture, ICT facilities, and administrative staff.

Afigh Bus: A functional Coaster Bus is required for logistics, mobility, and official engagements to ease the operational burden of the organization.

16. I, therefore, humbly appeal for financial and material support from members, stakeholders, and friends of Afigh Iwaad Ekid to actualize these urgent needs and ensure a strong start for this administration.

17. I cannot conclude without appreciating my loving wife, wonderful children, siblings, friends, and well-wishers. Your faith in me and constant encouragement have been my backbone. You believed in my capacity to serve and urged me to answer the call and I promise never to let you down.

18. Distinguished elders, leaders, members, ladies, and gentlemen, I boldly declare: Afigh Iwaad Ekid is back! Our organization has risen from the ashes stronger, united, and ready to reclaim its pride of place. Forward Ever! Backward Never!! Ikang Ekid O! Asasak O!!!

19. Leadership, as Warren Bennis said, “is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” Napoleon Bonaparte added that “a leader is a dealer in hope.” And John Maxwell reminded us that “a true leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” As the Bible affirms in Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” This will be our guiding principle.

20. Finally, I, Obongiwaad (Capt.) Willie Okon Mbong, the 10th International President of Afigh Iwaad Ekid, pledge before God and man to rebuild, revalidate, and revive this organization to its enviable height. With faith anchored in Acts 15:16 (NLT) “Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,” I believe God will restore Afigh Iwaad Ekid to greater glory.

So help me God.

Ekid Edediong oo!

Obongiwaad ( Capt) Willie Mbong
International President
Afigh Iwaad Ekid