Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has splashed gifts and cash on the players and management of Akwa United for winning the first-ever Nigeria Football Professional League (NFPL) for the state in the 2020/2021 football season.
The governor, at a reception at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, announced a donation of N100 million, a 32- Seater Bus and a plot of land each to Akwa United Football Club (FC) players and management.
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Governor Emmanuel expressed appreciation to the team for making the state proud by emerging champions of the elite division of the football league, urging them to stay unbeaten in the new football season which commences this December, promising his continuous support to the team.
“I thank the Nigeria Football Federation, my Commissioner for Youths and Sports, my entire Executive Council members for their support, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the judiciary, the stakeholders, religious leaders for their prayers, women, youths, security agencies, the entire team who played the matches, and all those who stood by us to achieve this success.
“Let me especially say that I am proud of the team, you have done us proud, and from the coach to those who have gone for greener pastures outside we are grateful for this achievement.
“Often they say that getting to the top is not a problem but you must stay at the top, so you must maintain, you must sustain, you must keep it up.
“Chairman, these are the keys to a brand new 32 seater bus for your team, I have the permission of the Executive members that the entire team that won the first league in this State whether you are from Akwa Ibom or not all of you including the coach will be given a plot of land in Akwa Ibom State.
“We will also give you the sum of N100 million so that it will encourage you to do more.
“As a government, we promise we will support you fully and I have made that commitment, if you call me next year to lift the CAF trophy I will double what I have given today,” he stated.
The Governor appreciated the efforts and contributions of the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Monday Uko and the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for their selfless sacrifices which have earned the team success.
He announced January 2022 as the date for the official commissioning of the Eket Sports Stadium, assuring Akwa United players that the stadium will avail them of training in both natural and synthetic football pitches.
On his part, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Mr Amaju Pinnick, lauded Governor Emmanuel’s efforts in sports development in the State and also described the governor as a leader with a difference.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Uko, thanked God for victory for the team, while also thanking Governor Emmanuel for supporting the team and giving him the opportunity to serve.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club expressed gratitude to God for the grace to emerge as champions.
He also lauded the governor’s unrelenting efforts to fund the development potentials of youths which has encouraged the explosion of talents in the State.
Akwa United played 38 matches, won 19, drew 14 and lost 5 matches to emerge champions in the NFPL 2020/2021 season.
