Thursday September 17, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

Following the lighting of the Torch of Unity last Thursday by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, to herald the 2026 edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, the Unity Torch relay across the state has commenced, with nine Local Government Areas reached so far.

The exercise commenced on Wednesday, September 16, following the arrangement of the Interministerial Committee in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the festival.

The Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, is represented on the tour by two teams made up of outstanding athletes and officials, headed by Directors in the Ministry of Sports.

According to the Local Organising Committee, the relay exercise will last for four days, from Wednesday, September 16 to Saturday, September 19, and will cover all 31 Local Government Areas of the state.

Conveying the message of the Chairman of the Interministerial Committee and Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, the Director of Administration in the Ministry, Mrs Ntimkpo Udoaka, and her ICT counterpart, Mr Daniel Elijah Usip, said the Torch Handover ceremony represents Governor Umo Eno’s vision of promoting grassroots sports development and youth empowerment under the ARISE Agenda.

They thanked the Local Government Chairmen for their cooperation and support towards ensuring the success of the tour in their respective areas.

So far, the Unity Torch has visited Uruan, Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Essien Udim, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Ikono and Ini Local Government Areas.

Across the nine Local Government Areas, the reception has been marked by excitement, with the council chairmen expressing readiness to participate in the second edition of the state sports festival and support its message of unity, cohesion, talent development and sportsmanship.

In Nsit Ibom, the council chairman, Rt. Hon. Otobong Aaron, commended the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for his administration’s programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting unity, peace and development across the state.

She received the Torch of Unity alongside the Vice Chairman, Hon. Udeme Philip; Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Nsikak Asuquo; and other council officers.

At Ibesikpo Asutan, the council chairman, Rt. Hon. Evangelist Edidiong Inyang, described the symbolic Torch Handover ceremony at the Council Secretariat, Nung Udoe, as a reflection of Governor Umo Eno’s love for sports.

He said the festival provides an opportunity to discover hidden talents, noting that talents were discovered during the first edition and expressing confidence that the 2026 edition would uncover even more.

“It is always an opportunity to discover hidden talent as was discovered in the first edition, and I am sure that the 2026 edition will triple the talents to be fetched out,” he said.

The reception in Ibesikpo Asutan was held in a carnival-like atmosphere, with the Vice Chairman and other council officers in attendance.

In Uruan, the council chairman, Rt. Hon. Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong, received the delegation and expressed appreciation for the initiative.

He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to promoting sports development, unity and healthy competition among young people in the state.

The chairman thanked Governor Umo Eno for his vision of using sport as a tool for state development and for promoting moral values through the ARISE Agenda.

He noted that the festival would help foster unity in grassroots sports development, encourage sports infrastructure development and promote closer interaction among young people across Akwa Ibom State.

In Essien Udim, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mrs Cornelia Ekpo, represented the council chairman and confirmed the Local Government’s participation in the festival.

The Supervisor for Sports, Hon. Michael Ukpong; Chief of Staff, Sir Uduak Isobara; other supervisors and council officials were also present.

In Ikot Ekpene, Hon. Aniefiok Nkom praised Governor Umo Eno for the vision behind the festival.

Nkom called for a successful, fair and competitive festival, expressing optimism that the event would provide athletes with a platform to showcase their talents and improve their sporting careers.

He commended Governor Umo Eno for creating opportunities for young athletes through sports development initiatives and expressed confidence that the festival would achieve its intended objectives.

The reception was also attended by the Vice Chairman, Obonganwan Abigail Akpan; Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon. Nkereuwem Umoh; Supervisor for Sports, Hon. Etido Inyang; former Transition Chairman, Sir John Cleton; as well as other councillors and supervisors.

In Obot Akara, the chairman, Rt. Hon. Simon Dominic Akpan, received the Torch of Unity, flanked by the council’s Vice Chairman, councillors, supervisors and other council officials.

The council chairman expressed appreciation to the state government for the initiative and commended Governor Umo Eno for his leadership, vision and sustained commitment to sports development in Akwa Ibom.

The council boss reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting sports and encouraging young talents in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

He also assured the delegation that Team Obot Akara would participate fully in the festival.

In Ikono Local Government Area, the chairman, Rt. Hon. Engr. Oto-Obong Okon Essien, praised Governor Umo Eno for his leadership and for organising the sports festival.

She said the festival would continue to support talent discovery and boost tourism in the state.

She also assured the delegation of Ikono Local Government Area’s participation in the festival.

The Vice Chairman, Hon. Ukai John Bassey; Supervisor for Youths and Sports, Barrister Nsima Akan; and other council officials were present.

In Ini Local Government Area, Hon. Inibehe Umah received the Torch of Unity, flanked by council officials.

He hailed Governor Umo Eno as a man of peace who has promoted unity in the state.

He also assured the delegation that Ini Local Government Area would participate in the games, adding that the council would be aiming for victory.

The warm receptions across the nine Local Government Areas so far visited have highlighted the growing interest in the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.

The Unity Torch tour continues on Thursday, September 17, with Nsit Ubium, Etinan, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun and Ika Local Government Areas scheduled to receive the Torch.

The relay will conclude on Saturday, September 19, after covering the remaining Local Government Areas of the state.

The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival is scheduled to officially begin on Tuesday, September 22.