About Us
PROFILE OF MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO
MMI Secretariat
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is a socio-cultural organization of Ibibio youths founded on 1st August, 1987 by 12 patriotic Ibibio sons. It had its inaugural meeting at No. 7 Bonny Street, Calabar. Though its main aim at formation was the promotion of Ibibio culture, tradition and dignity, the organisation is also out to promote social, economic and political development of the people of Mainland part of the then Cross River State, now made up of Akwa Ibom State,
The organization draws inspiration from the legendary Ibibio Union of old that catered for the entire mainland part of the Old Calabar Province – Ibibio, Annang and Oron. It is an active, virile and dynamic association of forward-looking, God-fearing, creative, dedicated and self sacrificing youths of Akwa Ibom State.
As a detribalized organization, Mboho was founded to check the marginalization and subjugation of the Ibibio person in order to enhance his status and relevance within the Nigerian polity. To achieve this, Mboho supports and fights for the honest and genuine rights and claims of all members of the various ethnic nationalities within Akwa Ibom State territory including Obolo, Annang, Oron, Ibeno, among others.
The cardinal programmes of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio are the promotion of inter-ethnic cooperation within the body politic of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a mark of this, Mboho has indeed deliberately admitted into her membership through honorary status, distinguished and eminent non-Ibibios some of whom are: Mkparawa Donald Duke and Efiok Cobham (Cross River), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Ike Nwachukwu(Ibo), Chris Ekpenyong (Annang), Peter Linus Umoh (Oron), Abdullahi Maccido (Sokoto), etc.
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Company and Allied Matters Decree of 1990. It has chapters in most local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, major cities in Nigeria, London and in the United States of America/Canada.
ADMINISTRATION
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio with the Secretary General as the Administrative Head. Issues are usually handled by the President and decisions implemented by the Secretary General. More important matters are considered by the National Executive Council which recommends decisions to the Central Working Committee for approval. However, some decisions must be ratified by the General Assembly, the highest decision making body, which meets twice a year.
Presently, the Mboho operates from its permanent International Secretariat/Community Centre, located at Udoma Avenue, adjacent to the State House of Assembly Complex. The secretariat is named after its first Grand Patron, Sir Udo Udoma. The Secretary General is assisted in the day to day administrative duties by a number of paid staff at the secretariat.
ACHIEVEMENTS
ANNUAL LECTURE/EXCELLENCE AWARDS: One of the numerous achievements of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is the organisation of an annual lecture and excellence awards, instituted in 1990, to recognize and honour achievers and also promote discourse on contemporary issues which are of great benefit to the people and Government of Akwa Ibom State. Speakers are usually very carefully selected professionals, while the awards in various categories, are based mainly on merit and bestowed on both Nigerians and foreigners alike, irrespective of race, colour, tribe or sex. The annual lecture and excellence awards event is named after Late Obong Sampson Udo Utuk, a selfless leader who was the first president of Ibibio Union.
UNITY: Politically, Mboho has worked assiduously to foster unity among the different groups within Akwa Ibom State by undertaking a unity tour of the 31 local government areas of the State and also organized Unity Rallies for the citizens of the three senatorial districts.
SPORTS: The organization also recognizes sports as one of the major unifying factors in the world today. Thus to sustain the unity, Mboho sponsors annually a football competition known as Mhobo Unity Football Cup, among the secondary schools in the State.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Mboho strives to be financially independent and consequently it has incorporated Mboho Investments Limited with 95 percent share capital holding in the company. The company is used in sourcing, competing or biding for jobs for the sustenance of the organization. Also, in 2004, the organisation started the Mboho Micro Credit Scheme with an initial capital of N2.5 million donated by Akparawa (Prince) Godwin Udeh who was then the President. Through this scheme, the welfare of its members is promoted.
EDUCATION: In the area of education, Mboho has recorded giant strides starting with the institution of Obong Nyong Essien Educational Foundation in 1989. Through the Foundation, the Mboho has awarded scholarships and bursaries and given project support funds to deserving and needy students from Akwa Ibom State, whether from Ibibio, Annang or Oron. It also manages individual schemes such as defunct Chief Ukpong Dan Umoh Scholarship Scheme for indigent students of Ikono Clan of Uyo Local Government Area.
Mboho encourages publication of works in Ibibio Language. Through her collaboration with the Ibibio Language Writers Association (ILWA), the organization sponsors interested authors in this field. Mboho has been conducting an annual essay competition in Ibibio language for secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State.
VISION
Mboho tailors her vision after the legendary Ibibio Union which saw education of the Ibibio person as the bedrock of development. Based on this, during the tenure of Akparawa (Prince) Godwin Udeh as President, the organisation established the MBOHO UNITY SCHOOLS made up of Nursery/Primary and High Schools. In spite of her lean financial resources, Mboho has invested heavy in the school, located in Idu Uruan, to make it a model in the State particularly and the South-South region of the country generally.
STRUCTURE
The Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is a community-based organization with chapters in many local government areas of Akwa Ibom State and major cities in Nigeria. It also has chapters in United Kingdom and United States of America/Canada.
PRESIDENTS
Akpawara Anietie Ekong (Late)
Akparawa (Sir) Valentine Attah,
Akparawa Okon Bassey Imeh,
Akparawa (Elder) Udo Sam Umoatan, – 4th
Akparawa (Dr.)Okon J. Emah. – 5th
Akparawa (Prince) Godwin N. Ude, – 6th
Akparawa (Dr.) Sylvester Akpan.
Akparawa (Elder) Nse Sunday Ubeh – 8th
Akparawa ( Elder ) Monday Etokakpan -9th & Current
GRAND PATRONS
Sir. Egbert Udo Udoma (Late)
Chief (Dr.) Clement Nyong Isong(Late).
Air Marshall (Elder) Nsikak Eduok (Rtd). – Incumbent
ORGANS OF THE ORGANIZATION
General Assembly
Central Working Committee (CWC)
National Executive Council
Board Of Trustees
Advisory Council
Chapters
MEMBERSHIP ADMISSION PROCESS
Membership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is voluntary and open to sons and daughters of Ibibio. However, honorary membership status is usually conferred on non-Ibibios of proven integrity, who are adjudged patriotic and detribalized enough to be so admitted. To become a full member of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, an applicant is expected to obtain Application/Membership Registration Form from the National Secretariat via an identified chapter of his or her choice. Upon submission of an application form with the prescribed non-refundable fee, the intending member is granted observer status and placed on probation for a minimum period of not less than three calendar months concurrently. During the probation period, investigations are carried out on the applicant at place of work, residence and village. After satisfactory attestation by the Membership Committee, a provisional membership is approved for the applicant subject to formal confirmation by Executive Council and Central Working Committee before induction by the President
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Donates regularly to charity organisations.
- Significant investment in education
- Built an ultra-model international secretariat/community centre, “Sir Udo Udoma House,” named after the 1st Grand Patron located along Udo Udoma Avenue. The Secretariat has a Guest House section.
- Established Mboho Unity Schools,
- Award scholarships, bursaries and gives financial support to deserving and needy students carrying out academic projects.
- Instituted “Obong Nyong Essien Scholarship Scheme”. Beneficiaries get the award irrespective of their places of origin or ethnic background in Akwa Ibom State.
- Supports and collaborates with Ibibio Language Writers Association (ILWA) in the publication of works in Ibibio language.
- Conducts an annual essay competition in Ibibio language for secondary school students in Akwa Ibom State.
- Incorporated Mboho Investments Ltd, with 95 percent share holding in its quest for financial independence.
- Established a farm that helps to feed the people.
- Established and operates Micro Credit Scheme to cater for the welfare of members.
- Promotes excellence by organizing an annual lecture/award ceremony called Obong Sampson Udo Etuk Lecture/Excellence Awards named after the late first president of the Ibibio Union. Many Ibibio achievers and non-Ibibio achievers have been honoured.
- Organises monthly road walk/jogging and free medical check-up for all members
- Organises football competition among chapters.
- Organises yearly training and re-training seminar for all officers and members.
MOTTO
The motto of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is ONENESS FOR SERVICE.
LOGO
The Logo of Mboho has the Sun with seven rays; an open book on top of two elephant tusks mounted a green manila with inscription Oneness for Service
OUR MISSION
Mboho is socio-cultural organization of Ibibio youths which seeks to preserve the rich cultural heritage and tradition of Ibibio people. A sustainable development in Ibibio – land is a very crucial objective of the organization and to achieve this, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio will mobilize and empower the youth to engage in a constructive economic activities; promote political education of the population of old and young; liaise with the Federal and State governments and other interests organizations to ensure that the Ibibios are not left out of the process of government of our nation and no citizen of Ibibio-land is denied access to the basic life sustaining services, including but not limited to health, food, shelter, education and clean environment. Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio functions as an agent of change and unifying force, bringing all diverse ethnic groups into mutual self-respect.