UYO-Akwa Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has announced automatic employment into the State Civil Service for three indigenous athletes who won medals for Nigeria at the just-concluded 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Governor Eno made the announcement on Thursday during the official lighting of the Torch of Unity to mark the commencement of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival at Government House, Uyo.
The gesture, according to the governor, is in recognition of the athletes’ outstanding performances and their contribution to bringing honour and pride to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.
The beneficiaries are Edidiong Umoafia, who won a gold medal in weightlifting; Ruth Nyong, who claimed a silver medal in weightlifting; and Enku Ekuta, who won a bronze medal in judo.
Eno congratulated the athletes for their hard work, discipline and dedication, describing these qualities as the foundation of their success on the international stage.
The governor further directed the Commissioner for Sports ,Elder Paul Bassey, to make all necessary arrangements for the athletes to be formally rewarded during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
He also directed the Head of the State Civil Service to formalise their employment and ensure that they are posted to the Ministry of Sports development
The gesture underscores Governor Eno’s commitment to rewarding sporting excellence and motivating athletes to reach greater heights.
It also reinforces the state government’s drive to use sports as a tool for youth empowerment, talent development and positive representation of Akwa Ibom on the national and international stage.
The governor, who received the Torch of Unity in company of his grandchildren, to mark the commencement of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, tagged ;“Nurturing Talents, Promoting Tourism.” noted that it was part of his administration’s efforts to develop the youth and promote sports in line with the youth and sports development pillar of the ARISE Agenda.
The Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey in a chat with journalists appreciated Governor Eno for what he described as his remarkable investment in sports and youth development.
He said Akwa Ibom had continued to carve a niche for itself in Nigeria’s sports history through the discovery, nurturing and promotion of sporting talents.
Bassey disclosed that the event marked the commencement of the second edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, following the success of the maiden edition held in 2025.
He commended the governor’s sports development initiative, saying it had provided opportunities for grassroots talents to be discovered, nurtured and exposed to competitive sports, thereby positioning the state for greater prominence.
The 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival is scheduled to officially open on Tuesday, September 22, and end on Sunday, September 27.
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; Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Head of Service, Mrs Elsie Peters, and other members of the State Executive Council.
Others present included 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), as well as other government officials.