August 26, (THEWILL) — The Guild of Community Development Advocates in Akwa Ibom State, also known as the Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum, has inaugurated an Interim Executive Committee (EXCO) to steer its affairs for the next six months.
The decision followed a resolution of the Board of Trustees and the unanimous approval of members at a special meeting held on Sunday, August 24, 2025, in Uyo.
Mr Tijah Bolton-Akpan, a development policy expert and Executive Director of Policy Alert, chairs the Interim EXCO. Other members include Ms Emem Okon of Hope for Coastal Women Empowerment Initiative, who will serve as Programmes/Public Affairs Advisor.
Others are: Mrs Emem Joseph Ekong of Women United for Economic Empowerment (WUEE), Treasurer/Financial Advisor; Mr Kingsley Atang of Youth Alive Foundation (YAF Africa), Compliance Advisor; and Mr Elkanah Oluyori of the Clement Isong Foundation, Secretary.
In addition, Bolton-Akpan and Mr Emem Nkereuwem of Arts and Skills Development Initiative were earlier returned as Interim Board Chair and Board Secretary, respectively.
The Forum stated that the new leadership will guide it through a transitional phase aimed at strengthening governance, deepening inclusiveness, and enhancing its impact.
Speaking after the inauguration, Bolton-Akpan expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in the team, pledging to deliver with “dedication, integrity and inclusivity.
“This mandate comes at a defining moment when civil society faces a twin challenge of ensuring accountability within our own structures while also holding duty bearers externally accountable for inclusive and sustainable development in the face of dwindling global resources”, he stated.
He added that the Interim EXCO would strengthen the Forum’s governance systems, guarantee participation of all member organisations, and reposition the Forum as a “respected and effective voice for the Third Sector in Akwa Ibom State.”
The Akwa Ibom Civil Society Organisations Forum is a coalition of more than 120 non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, and other networks working in social, economic, and environmental development.
Founded in 2008 and formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2014 as the Guild of Community Development Advocates in Akwa Ibom State (AKGCODA), the Forum is recognised as one of the sub-national CSO networks operating across 35 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
