ABOUT ITORO AKPAN-IQUOT

Brief Biography
(Last Updated on November 7, 2024)

Obong (Engr.) Itoro Akpan-Iquot is the immediate past National President of The Akwa Ibom State Association of Nigeria (USA), Inc. (AKISAN USA). He assumed office in August, 2020. AKISAN USA is a socio-cultural, non-profit and apolitical organization established in 1987. It's main mission is protecting the interests of Akwa Ibom indigenes in the United States of America. It also helps, as well as empowers, Akwa Ibomites in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, through vocational training programs, medical missions and scholarships.

In August 2022, following an amendment to its constitution a year prior, Itoro became the first National President in AKISAN USA's history to ever be re-elected to a 2nd, 2-year term. Under Itoro’s leadership, AKISAN USA has attained great achievements and is recognized globally. He also helped restore the credibility, confidence and trust of the organization among its members. Under his watch, hundreds of students have received scholarships from AKISAN USA and have graduated from the association’s many vocational training programs. In October 2022, over 10,000 patients were treated during the organization’s medical mission that year.

His administration was also known for various innovations including the total digitization of the association’s processes and raising of thousands of dollars for the association via sponsorship deals with individuals and companies. During his tenure, he raised over $700,000 for AKISAN USA. This includes over N20m and over $30,000 in academic scholarships and vocational training scholarships respectively.

In 2021, Itoro helped establish The Association of Akwa Ibom Communities’ Presidents, Worldwide (ASACOP), an organization comprising the national presidents of Akwa Ibom Communities in 14 countries (and growing) with the goal of uniting under one umbrella, for the purpose of speaking with one voice and carrying out projects in Akwa Ibom State. In 2022, ASACOP was instrumental in the relocation of Internally Displaced Persons of Akwa Ibom origin in Katsina State back to Akwa Ibom State and raising $5,000 in less than one week for these IDPs as well.

Itoro is the first US-born AKISAN USA National President. Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, he returned to Nigeria with his parents in 1980, where he was privileged to learn and appreciate the rich culture and history of the then Cross-River State. He attended Auntie Margaret International Nursery School and St. Patrick’s College in Calabar. He also attended Federal Government College, Ikot-Ekpene. Between 1991 and 1993, he attended The University of Calabar where he was studying Agricultural Economics. In 1993, he returned to the United States, to continue his tertiary education. He has lived in the Metropolitan Atlanta area for over 30 years. His ancestral home is Ikot Ofon Ikono Ibom, in Uyo Local Government Area (LGA).

Itoro's AKISAN USA journey started in 2009 when he served as AKISAN Atlanta chapter's Public Relations Officer. He eventually became chapter president in 2013. On the national stage, he served as the association's webmaster from 2009 to 2020. He has also served in various committees and roles, both at the local and national levels over his 15-year+ AKISAN USA career. Itoro has received numerous awards over the years, in recognition of his positive contributions to society, both in the United States of America and in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In December 2022, he was conferred with the title of “Adaha Ikono”, in recognition of his contributions to his beloved clan, Ikono Ibom in Uyo LGA. He was also a House of Assembly Aspirant for Uyo LGA, under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 political season. In further recognition of his contributions to the Akwa Ibom community, both in the United States and in Nigeria, Itoro has been recognized with various awards.

In August 2022, thanks to his tireless effort, the Akwa Ibom State Government became a stakeholder in the Akwa Ibom House project of AKISAN Atlanta Chapter. In May 2023, AKISAN Atlanta played host to the then Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the then PDP Governorship candidate and current Governor of Akwa Ibom State (2023 - 2031), Pastor (Dr.) Umo Eno and the then Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem. This project, once completed, will be the first of its kind in the United States and will feature meeting rooms, event halls, a museum, restaurant and lodging space. It will also have a guest house and conference room for the Akwa Ibom State governor.

In June 2023, Itoro was invited by His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State , to participate in Ibom Dialogue Week. This event was a summit of subject matter experts and critical stakeholders of Akwa Ibom State origin who came to together to work out modalities for the implementation of the administration’s A.R.I.S.E. agenda, the state’s economic blueprint. He served on the Information and Communications Technology Committee.

Itoro is a software engineer by profession and has been in the industry for over 25 years. He has a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia. He also owns a web design/event photography company, The Ace Media Group. This 18-year-old company has developed over 200 websites for nonprofit organizations, companies and governments in the United States of America, Nigeria, Canada, and The United Kingdom.

Among his varied hobbies and special interests, Itoro enjoys reading, playing soccer, and traveling. He is married to his wife, Edidiong, of over 20 years. Together, they have 5 children.

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• Association of Nigerian Organizations in Georgia's Service & Image Award (2024)
• AKISAN Atlanta's Outstanding Leadership Award (2024)
• Akwa Ibom Reconciles Legendary Award (2024)
• Patron, National Association of Akwa Ibom State Medical Students, University of Calabar, Nigeria (2024)
• AKISAN USA’s Executive Committee’s Outstanding Leadership Award (2024)
• Award North’s Special Achievement Award (2024)
• Nka Ikemesit Ndito Nsit of Atlanta’s Honor Award (2023)
• Law Students Association of Nigeria (UNIUYO Chapter)’s Award of Excellence (2023)
• Start Innovation Hub’s Award of Recognition (2022)
• Akwa Ibom State Community, Anambra State Chapter’s Award of Recognition (2022)
• Global Labour Events Global Media, Nigeria's Top Excellence Leadership Award (2023)
• AKISAN Washington, DC Chapter’s Leadership Award (2022)
• Africa’s Children Fund Champion of Hope Award (2022)
• Eket Development Association, USA’s Community Service Award (2021)
• AKISAN Nashville Chapter's Outstanding Leadership Award (2021)
• Ambassador Award, Bring Back Our Language, Akwa Ibom State (2021)
• National Association of Akwa Ibom Students (University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus Chapter)’s Award of Excellence (2021)
• Duke Town Old Students Association’s Founder's Day Award (2021)
• AKISAN Atlanta's Appreciation Award (2019)
• Offot Ukwa Association’s Appreciation Award (2017)
• AKISAN USA’s Appreciation Award (2016)
• Akwa Ibom Women Initiative of Atlanta’s Appreciation Award (2015)
• Nka Ikemesit Ndito Nsit of Atlanta’s Community Service Award (2014)
• AKISAN USA’s President’s Award (2010)

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• President-General, Association of Akwa Ibom Communities Presidents Worldwide (2021 - Present)
• Vice President & Treasurer, Mboho Ndito Ibibio USA (Atlanta Chapter: 2017 - Present)
• Webmaster for the following Akwa Ibom-related associations, among others: Ibom Peoples Congress, Ibom Global Healthcare Initiative, Oron Development Union, Dallas, Texas Chapter, Young Professionals Development (for Miss AKISAN USA 2017 - 2018), Ati Annang USA, Eket Development Congress USA, Ibibio People’s Union, Mboho Ndito Ibibio USA, Onna USA, and Ubium Development Association
• Webmaster for the following AKISAN Chapters: Atlanta, Los Angeles Community, and New York

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Nigeria

• University of Calabar (Agricultural Economics), Cross-River State - Nigeria (1991 to 1993)
  • Served as President, Year 1 and Year 2 Faculty of Agriculture Students

United States

• Dekalb College (Pre-Computer Science), Clarkston, Georgia (1994 to 1997)
• Georgia Institute of Tech. (B.Sc., Computer Science (Major: Software Engineering, Minor: Networking)), Atlanta, Georgia (1997 to 1999)
• Front End Masters (Ongoing) - Front End Web Developer
• LinkedIn Training(Ongoing) - Project Management, Strategy, Regular Expressions, Resilience, Decision-Making, AI
• Udacity Front End Web Developer Nanodegree - HTML, CSS, JavaScript (2014)
• Bruce Clay’s Search Engine Optimization Certificate (2010)
• Neal Whittens No-Nonsense Guide to Running Successful Project (2007)
• Microsoft Certified Professional - FrontPage (2001)

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Over 25 years of combined professional experience:

• Web Developer (1999 - Present)
• Owner, The Ace Media Group, a Website Design & Event Photography (2006 - Present)

AKISAN Atlanta

(Officers serve a 1-year term, with an option to get re-elected for a second)

• Served as Public Relations Officer (2009 to 2011)
  • Accomplishments
    • Created an email distribution list that currently contains 350+ email addresses
    • Created, developed and maintained AKISAN Atlanta's website, www.AkwaIbomAtlanta.org, one of the first websites owned by an AKISAN USA chapter at the time (I have been paying for hosting ever since - $20/month)
• Served as Vice-President (2011 to 2013)
  • Accomplishment:
    • Created a calling post phone bank that currently contains 350+ phone numbers
• Served as President (2013 to 2015)
  • Accomplishments:
    • Increased meeting attendance 50% over 2 years
    • Increased participation in our life insurance program 50% over 2 years
    • Raised a record $39,000.00 over 2 years
    • Renovated Akwa Ibom House, a $30,000.00 project (2013)
    • Increased rental receipts of Akwa Ibom House 22% over 2 years
    • Hosted an AKISAN USA national council meeting (2013)
    • Started the July 4th family-and-friends picnic, which is now a tradition at Akwa Ibom House
    • Worked with the youth to create an end-of-year party for the entire community, another ongoing tradition
    • AKISAN Atlanta won the, “Most Improved Chapter” award by AKISAN USA (2014)
• Served as Secretary (2017 to 2018)
• Currently serving as Ex-Officio Member (2018 to Date)
• Other Accomplishments
  • Created WhatsApp chat rooms for AKISAN Atlanta, for efficient communication and dissemination of information