The Guild of Community Development Advocates in Akwa Ibom State, also known as the Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum has constituted its Interim Executive Committee (EXCO) following a resolution of its Board of Trustees and the unanimous decision of members at a special meeting held on 24th August, 2025.
The Interim EXCO is Chaired by Tijah Bolton-Akpan, a development policy expert and Executive Director of Policy Alert. Others are Emem Okon of Hope for Coastal Women Empowerment Initiative as Programmes/Public Affairs Advisor, Mrs. Emem Joseph Ekong of Women United for Economic Empowerment, WUEE as Treasurer/Financial Advisor, Kingsley Atang of Youth Alive Foundation (YAF Africa) as Compliance Advisor, and Elkanah Oluyori of Clement Isong Foundation as Secretary.
The Interim EXCO has been saddled with the task of steering the Forum through a six month transitional phase aimed at repositioning it for stronger governance, inclusiveness, and impact. Meanwhile, Bolton-Akpan and Emem Nkereuwem of Arts and Skills Development Initiative had earlier been returned as interim Board Chair and Board Secretary respectively.
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Speaking after the inauguration, Bolton-Akpan expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support received, assuring members that the team will deliver with dedication, integrity, and inclusivity.
“This mandate comes at a defining moment when civil society faces a twin challenge of ensuring internal accountability within our own structures while also holding duty bearers externally accountable for inclusive and sustainable development in the face of dwindling global resources. We will work together to strengthen the Forum’s governance systems and safeguard the participation of every member organisation in driving reforms, while forging a united front to enhance our visibility, build trust, and reposition our Forum as a respected and effective voice for the Third Sector in Akwa Ibom State.”
The Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organizations Forum is a collective of over 120 non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations (CSOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), faith-based organisations (FBOs) and other associational groups focused on social, economic, and environmental development in Akwa Ibom State.
The Forum was established in 2008 and subsequently registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2014 as the Guild of Community Development Advocates in Akwa Ibom State (AKGCODA). The Forum is recognized as one of the sub-national CSO networks currently operating across 35 of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
