Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has offered immediate employment to three Commonwealth Games medallists in the state’s ministry of sports development.

Mr Eno announced the offer on Friday in Uyo while receiving the Unity Torch to commence the 2026 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival.

The governor identified the medallists as Edidiong Umofia, who won gold in weightlifting, Ruth Nyong, silver in weightlifting and Enku Ekuta, bronze in judo.

He said that the employment offer was intended to reward their achievements and motivate them to pursue greater accomplishments in sports.

Mr Eno described sports as a “multi-billion-dollar industry,” saying that his administration was determined to equip youths with skills and opportunities to benefit from its economic potential.

The governor said that the annual sports festival represented a major milestone in sports development, particularly in discovering and nurturing talents at the grassroots.

“In 2025, we held the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival as part of our youth and sports development initiative as encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda.

“The results of this event have been impressive and heartwarming, as several quality sports talents have been discovered to represent the country in international sporting tournaments,” he said.

Mr Eno said that the maiden edition had produced impressive results, with several talented athletes discovered to represent Nigeria at national and international competitions.

He recalled that Akwa Ibom emerged as the standout state at the recently concluded Niger Delta Games in Benin City, winning 16 gold, 17 silver and 22 bronze medals.

The governor said that athletes from the state had also represented Nigeria in competitions across various disciplines, including judo, wrestling, athletics and weightlifting.

“Just recently, the state made history by providing three athletes in the country’s contingent to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and they all came back with medals,” he said.

He commended the commissioner for sports development, Paul Bassey, and members of the inter-ministerial committee on the festival for promoting sports development.

Speaking with journalists, Mr Bassey expressed appreciation to Mr Eno for what he described as his remarkable investment in sports and youth development.

He said that Akwa Ibom had continued to carve a niche for itself in Nigeria’s sports history through discovering, nurturing and promoting sporting talents.

Mr Bassey said that the event marked the commencement of the second edition of the Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, following the success of the maiden edition in 2025.

He commended the governor for implementing a sports development initiative that provided opportunities for the discovery of grassroots talents.

The event was attended by the deputy governor, Akon Eyakenyi; coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Helen Eno-Obareki and secretary to the state government, among others. 

(NAN)