Sunday June 21, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Following the recent inauguration of Professor Christopher Nyong Ekong as the 9th substantive Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey,has put forward his eulogy for the don.
Elder Bassey’s position came on the heels of a novelty football match organized by the sports community in the state to show solidarity with and honour for Professor Ekong.
The match which was held in the early hours of Saturday, June 20, at the Uyo Township Stadium, and featuring Council of President Akwa Ibom All Stars International VS Akwa United Former Players,was graced with dignitaries across the sports, media and academic sectors.
Speaking shortly after the kickoff of the match, the sports commissioner who was a prominent flank of the Vice Chancellor at the stadium, said as one who once was in charge of sports in the state, holding the match in Professor Ekong’s honour was on point.
Describing the honoree as a well known constituent and family member of the sports community, Elder Bassey said with relics to draw from in Professor Ekong’s passion ,love and support for Sports in the state,he has “paid his dues” to the sports community to deserve the honour.
“…let me on behalf of the sports community congratulate the tear rubber VC of the University of Uyo. This is his family, this is his background; the sports community in Akwa Ibom State are lucky and privileged to have him as Vice Chancelor in the University of Uyo. This is a good record and he has paid his dues to deserve it.”
Referring to professor Ekong ,the commissioner further said ” Sir we want to use this opportunity to thank you for your dedication to sports. We can see your love for sports. Well done Sir”.
Addressing the press on its significance at the end of the match, the sports boss said it serves as a way for the community to identify with their own and rekindle their tie with him in his elevation.
“We needed to do this to thank God on his behalf; to celebrate and tell him we love him, and to make him not forget his culture medium which is sports”,the sports commissioner said.
In his response,the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Christopher Ekong,thanked the teams, organizers and the entire football community in the state for the love shown him .
Following the mode of the match, Professor Ekong described it as a no victor no vanquished outing,saying both teams deserve accolades, notwithstanding the 3-1 lead by Akwa United Former Players over council of President Akwa Ibom All Stars International to deserve the trophy.
He particularly commended the sports commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey, for his encouraging spirit in the sector and promised to collaborate with the ministry to give football a leap in the state.
As part of the high points of the novelty football match was the decoration of the players, officials and dignitaries as well as the donation of footballs, jerseys and related kits by a US based alumni of the University of Uyo,Akprawa Etukad Ubon, who said his gesture is to support the Vice Chancellor” to grow soccer in the University of Uyo”.
It would be recalled that Professor Christopher Nyong Ekong is a former commissioner for sports in the state ,has chaired the Akwa United Football Club from 2003-2008,and is currently the Board of Trustees Chairman of the All Stars Football Club in Akwa Ibom State.
