Governor Eno Flags Off 2026 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, Pledges More Investment in Talent Development

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off the 2026 edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to investing in sports as a platform for discovering, nurturing and promoting young talents.
Governor Eno stated this on Tuesday in Uyo during the opening ceremony of the festival, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
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The Governor described the State Sports Festival as an important platform for identifying emerging sporting talents, noting that athletes discovered during the 2025 edition went on to distinguish themselves at national and international competitions.

He assured young athletes in the state of continued government support, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for them to discover and develop their sporting abilities.

As part of the ceremony, Governor Eno honoured three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The honoured athletes are gold medallist Edidiong Umoafia and silver medallist Ruth Nyong, both in weightlifting, as well as bronze medallist Enku Ekuta, who competed in judo.
In another move aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions in schools across the state.

According to him, the competitions would provide an avenue for discovering and developing new sporting talents.

“We must also invest in the future of sports. That is why I directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions. This competition would help us to develop and discover new stars. We should revisit the good old days.”

Representing the Governor, the Deputy Governor also announced that the state government would soon award the contract for the construction of a Sports Academy in Eket.
She said the proposed academy would provide a structured environment for identifying, training and grooming sporting talents in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described Governor Eno as a sports-loving governor and commended him for approving the 2026 edition of the State Sports Festival.

Bassey recalled that the 2025 edition produced athletes who subsequently represented Nigeria at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, where they won medals.
He also commended the Governor for approving automatic employment in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service for the athletes in recognition of their achievements.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, alongside Supervisors for Sports from the various local government areas, pledged the support of the 31 local government councils towards the successful hosting of the festival.

Akwa Ibom Sports Festival

The opening ceremony featured a colourful march-past by contingents from the 31 local government areas, led by their respective council chairmen.

A total of 27 sporting disciplines are being contested by athletes representing the 31 local government areas, with competitions taking place at 10 designated venues within Uyo and its environs.
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Akwa Ibom Government Moves to Protect new Roads with Truck Toll

Governor Umo Eno has announced plans to introduce toll gates on newly constructed roads across Akwa Ibom State, targeting heavy-duty trucks while sparing regular motorists.
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The Governor made the disclosure during the commissioning of a 14.8 km internal road network and 1.9 km spur, complete with drainage, in Awa Onna Local Government Area, as part of activities marking Akwa Ibom State’s 39th anniversary.

Rural Road

According to the Governor, private cars will continue to enjoy free access to the roads, while heavy-duty trucks conveying goods and exerting greater wear on the infrastructure will be required to pay a toll fee.

He explained that the measure is designed to protect the newly built roads from excessive damage and generate funds for their continued maintenance, ensuring the investments remain in good condition for residents in the long run.
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Akpabio Commends Governor Eno Over Infrastructure Development, Unity in Akwa Ibom

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his administration’s efforts in infrastructure development and promotion of unity across the state.
Akpabio gave the commendation on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, while commissioning the Ikot Ekpene GRA internal road network, outfall drain and additional erosion reclamation works, comprising 12 roads within the estate.
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The Senate President, who recalled his longstanding connection with the area, said residents had appealed to him during his 2006 governorship campaign to address years of infrastructural neglect in Ikot Ekpene.

He recalled various interventions undertaken during his tenure as governor, including the Queen’s Drive project, reconstruction of a collapsed bridge and the Ikot Ekpene-Abak Road, which he said was expanded from a planned single carriageway into a dualised federal road.
Akpabio also recalled other projects executed during his administration, including the construction of the International Stadium, Government House, Deputy Governor’s Lodge, Governor’s Office, early flyovers and several urban roads within and outside Uyo.

Commending Governor Eno for completing the inherited Ikot Ekpene GRA project, Akpabio said the governor had “salvaged the situation.”
He also commended Governor Eno’s working relationship with his Deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen and other political stakeholders.

Speaking on the state’s infrastructure and tourism potential, the Senate President said Akwa Ibom was moving from what he described as a “pedestrian State” towards becoming a destination.

He said he had inspected the completed terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport and commended the revival of the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene.

Akpabio said he looked forward to returning to the state for the commissioning of additional projects, including the International Market, Ibom Hotel and International Conference Centre.

He added that President Bola Tinubu had sent greetings to Governor Eno and was expected to visit Akwa Ibom to commission federal projects.

The Senate President specifically commended Governor Eno’s plan to establish an international market along the Ikot Ekpene-Aba corridor, noting that the Federal Government was working towards the dualisation of the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road.

According to him, the corridor would provide a major transportation link connecting Akwa Ibom, Abia, Enugu, Rivers and Cross River states.

Akpabio also urged residents of Ikot Ekpene to support Governor Eno and President Tinubu at the polls, calling for “one man, one vote,” while urging political leaders and residents to preserve peace and unity in the state.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Eno Ibanga, explained that the Ikot Ekpene GRA project was expanded from its original 2.5-kilometre scope to 4.12 kilometres following the need for additional infrastructure works.

He said FGP Services was assigned the inherited project in 2023 because of its scale, while an additional 1.62 kilometres was approved in February 2026 to address a ravine and provide comprehensive drainage infrastructure.

Ibanga said all 12 roads in the estate had been completed with eight-metre-wide, fully compacted carriageways and drainage systems connected to a properly terminated outfall.

He noted that the area had suffered 27 years of neglect and expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for taking over the inherited project and ensuring its completion.

The Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Elder Aniefiok Nkom, described the project as a major transformation, saying the GRA, which previously existed largely in name, now had infrastructure befitting its status.

Akpabio Commends Eno

Goodwill messages were also delivered by a resident, Mr. Daniel Obot; Member representing Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency, Hon. Patrick Umoh, flanked by Hon. Jerry Otu; Paramount Ruler, HRM Akuku Okon Ukut; and Emmanuel Ibok-Essien.

The speakers expressed appreciation to Governor Eno for the project and pledged continued support for his administration.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; Dr. Ekaette-Unoma Akpabio; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo; former governors Yakubu Bako and Group Captain John Ebiye (rtd.); State APC Chairman, Obong Stephen Ntukekpo; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Head of Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; Senator Aloysius Etuk; Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Sir Monday Uko; members of the National and State Assemblies; commissioners; local government chairmen; aides to the Governor and other stakeholders.
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