NTO ANNANG FOUNDATION (NAF) COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND

Introduction

It is an undeniable fact that coronavirus (COVI-19) doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t know if a person is rich, poor, male or female. It can infect anybody irrespective of tribe, ethnic group, race, religion, status and gender. Yet, while this is the case, low-income families are suffering the most. This quote from a school principal in Nto Annang describes it best – “Another virus has been discovered. The name of the new virus is Hunger Virus. The virus is being spread by confining people in their homes due to COVID-19 prevention measures without enough money and food. Its incubation period is seven days after you have exhausted your little money and food. Please help!”

A

s a result of COVID-19, the poor in Annangland are living life on the margins with little to no social safety net to prevent them from hardship and poverty. In response, Nto Annang Foundation USA and Nto Annang Foundation Nigeria joined the rest of the world in the fight against the transmission and spread of the pandemic that has resulted in mounting numbers of cases and deaths worldwide with the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. The project deployed our resources to provide food to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable households in Annangland, the poor, orphans and widows.

N

to Annang Fountdation USA Inc. and Nto Annang Foundation Nigeria (NAF) are both non-profit socio-cultural organizations of Annang indigenes both in the United States of America and in Nigeria. The USA organization was formed in 1991 and the Nigerian group was form around 1996. The vision of NAF is to be the leading group that seeks to preserve and solidify Annang history as well as promote Annang culture and language. The major goals include:

Fostering unity and understanding among and between the Annangs and other ethnic groups throughout the world.

Promoting the Annang history, language and culture in the United States and in Nigeria; the annual Annang Festival of Arts and Culture (AFAC) in Annangland is the signature cultural heritage event of NAF and it is 14th recognized cultural festival in Nigeria.

Promoting educational, agricultural, health, economic and cultural projects across the USA and the eight Local Government Areas in Annangland and communities where Annang sons and daughters abound.

As a non-profit 501(C3) corporation in the USA and as foundation in Nigeria, all donations to the Nto Annang Foundation are tax-deductible.

COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Project Description

On April 3, 2020, a conference call was arranged between NAF USA and that of Nigeria from NAF USA headquarters, a four man committee in Nigeria was set up comprising Abom Ephraim Okon(President NAF-Nigeria), Board of trustees,zone Justice Gabriel Ette Sir Ukpong Ekam and Justice Therasa Obot to give face to food program.

NAF Board of Directors in the USA under the leadership of Attorney Ani Usoro and Mr. Fidelis Imowo Fidel Udo-Utun(President NAF USA) approved a donation of ten million naira(10,000,000.00) for the successful excecution of Nto Annang Foundation (NAF) Covid-19 Response in Annang land.

The proposed plan for the first phase of the project was to reach approximately 1,000 households across different disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the 8 Local Government Areas of Annangland with the NAF Meal Pack. Each LGA was to get food items for each household – the NAF Meal Pack, comprising of 10 kg of rice, 10 kg of beans and 10 kg of garri to be purchased by NAF and distributed to the less privileged and vulnerable in approximately 1000 households in Annangland. The beneficiaries were carefully chosen from the communities and villages in Annangland.

Food Delivery to the 8 Local Government Area (LGA) in Annangland

On Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10, 2020, Nto Annang Foundation in partnership with the Akwa Ibom Community Stakeholders for Social Good (CS4SG), we embarked on delivering the food items to the 8 Local Government Areas in Annangland. Allow us to retrace the footsteps to give a taste of the experience.

Abak LGA
At Abak LGA, the train stopped opposite Mercy Hospital which was dominated by very Aged widows… Some in wheelchairs… Widowers and Aged Men too were not left out…This is how they felt after washing their hands, learning and receiving INSERT

Oruk Anam LGA
At Oruk Anam the Nto Annang Foundation was welcomed by Ukeme Umoren, the Chapter Coordinator… Prayers for the Foundation went thus… INSERT And the people kept repeating that they never thought they could be remembered… INSERT

Ukanafun LGA
The long drive to Ukanafun halted at Gee n Dee Spot Motel where another bevy of women had sat patiently waiting the arrivals in a very peaceful and orderly manner… Despite the long wait, they were filled with gratitude INSERT

Etim Ekpo LGA
The Etim Ekpo stopover was unique as the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo – His Royal Highness, Prof. Amanam Akpan Udo was on hand to receive the Foundation INSERT His Royal Highness also oversaw the distribution and gratitude and prayers for blessings flowed freely and a physically challenged person did the vote of thanks quite passionately… INSERT

Obot Akara LGA
Oku-ebom was the destination in Obot Akara, as Dede Pastor Ekom Mendie thanked the Foundation for remembering Obot Akara especially at this critical times. Abom Okon introduced the group, its vision and mission and explained the rationale behind the intervention. INSERT

The Annang are a fun-loving people, and so the Experience would not have been complete without a Stopover at some point… INSERT

Ika LGA
Ika has contributed so much to Nto Annang, it is home to Barr. Ini Usoro who is a Daughter of Ika and Chairman, Board Of Trustees, and Fidelis Udo-Utun, the President, Nto Annang USA, and even the 2nd Runner up of the last Ujai Annang pageant (Adada Blessed Emmanuel John). There was a Special direct package from the Chairman of the BOT of Nto Annang of 10 food packs for 10 widows before a Vote of Thanks by Chief Sam Billy – Chairman, Council of Village Heads in Ika – before intimating the President that Chiefs would love to participate fully in the next edition of Annang Festival of Arts and Culture (AFAC 2020) INSERT

Ikot Ekpene LGA
Ikot Ekpene recipients converged at Ikot Antia Family Hall along Adadiaha Road where the exercise stretched into the early part of the night with diverse groups attended to. (INSERT) Here, like every other center was peaceful with the audience already observing social distancing before the team arrived.

Essen Udim LGA
Last stop… but not the least… was Essien Udim at the Godswill Akpabio Unity Hall, Afaha Ikot Ebak where there was another well-spaced gathering… The unity Nto Annang Foundation seeks to Foster was evident in the presence of the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim Local Government Area, Elder Raphael Isobara, among other dignitaries. It must be noted that the venue, was graciously donated for use by the Executive Chairman.
And the Executive Chairman spoke INSERT… The Vulnerable did not choose to be called so… This is how he described it… while thanking God that no Essien Udim person had been affected.
He also expressed his wish to partner the Foundation.

Abom Ephraim Okon also took time out to explain the outreach INSERT

Charity began, and landed at Abom Ephraim Okon’s country home at Ikot Idem Udo in Okon Clan of Essien Udim – Opening Prayer was led by Abom Ephraim Okon while Sir Ukpong Ekam further buttressed the essence of the group and the visit INSERT

Conclusion

In conclusion, Annang Essien Itiata came, saw, received and left satisfied. Thanks to Nto Annang Foundation, USA and Nto Annang Foundation, Nigeria… Thanks to CS4SG for sharing knowledge to keep us all alive… Toe the line today, lend a helping hand today…

Join Nto Annang Foundation today… Be a part of fruitful unity… Reach us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram – NTO ANNANG FOUNDATION or mail us ndiche@gmail.com, or call; 07030448318 or 08036611170. Please support us with a donation to help Nto Ananng Foundation accomplish more projects in Annangland.

Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly with soap & running water, where there is none, use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Maintain physical distancing, and obey Government guidelines.

Stay safe, stay alive and healthy- E chong-idem oo.