Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development as a key tool for youth empowerment, talent discovery and economic development.
Governor Eno made the commitment on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when he received the Unity Torch signalling the commencement of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival at the Governor’s Office Complex, Uyo.
The Governor described sports as a “multi-billion-dollar industry,” stressing that his administration would continue to provide young people in the State with the necessary opportunities and skills to harness the economic potential of the sector.
He said the annual State Sports Festival was an important platform for discovering and nurturing sporting talents from the grassroots, noting that the success recorded from the maiden edition had demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in sports.
“Last year, we held the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival as part of the development of youths and sports in our State, as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda.
“The results of this event have been impressive and heartwarming, as several quality sports talents among our youths have been discovered to represent even the country in international sports tournaments,” Eno said.
The Governor recalled that Akwa Ibom recorded an impressive performance at the recently concluded Niger Delta Games in Benin City, where the State won 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze medals.
He added that athletes from Akwa Ibom had continued to represent Nigeria at national and international competitions in various sporting disciplines, including judo, wrestling, athletics and weightlifting.
According to him, the State recently made history by producing three athletes for Nigeria’s contingent to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with all three returning home with medals.
The athletes are Edidiong Umofia, who won gold in weightlifting; Ruth Nyong, who won silver in weightlifting; and Enku Ekuta, who won bronze in judo.
In recognition of their achievements, Governor Eno directed the immediate employment of the three Commonwealth Games medalists into the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports Development.
He explained that the gesture was aimed at supporting the athletes to continue their sporting careers while giving them the opportunity to develop further and achieve greater accomplishments.
Governor Eno also commended the Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey, as well as members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the State Sports Festival, for their contributions towards advancing sports in the State.
Speaking with journalists after the event, Elder Bassey expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for his continued investment in sports and youth development.
He said Akwa Ibom had continued to strengthen its position in Nigeria’s sporting history through the discovery, nurturing and promotion of talents across various disciplines.
Bassey disclosed that the 2026 event marked the commencement of the second edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, following the successful maiden edition held in 2025.
He noted that the Governor’s sports development initiative had created opportunities for young talents from the grassroots to be discovered, nurtured and exposed to competitive sporting activities.
He expressed optimism that the continued investment would further position Akwa Ibom as a leading sports destination and produce more athletes capable of representing the State and Nigeria at major international competitions.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno-Obareki; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of the Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; and other members of the State Executive Council.
Also present were the Chairman, House Committee on Security, Youth and Sports, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Uwemedimo Asuquo; Dr. Uwemedimo Udo; Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), among other government officials.
