The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports has formally ushered in the 2026 administrative year with a solemn prayer and thanksgiving service, reaffirming its commitment to spiritual alignment, discipline, and results-driven service delivery.
The service, held on January 6, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, brought together management, staff, and representatives of sports associations in a symbolic start to a year the Ministry has boldly tagged “a year of work.”
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Speaking at the event, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, stressed that thanksgiving remains the foundation of progress, noting that Akwa Ibom State’s steady development is deeply rooted in faith. He reminded staff that the state is led by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, describing him as a God-fearing leader whose vision continues to shape the growth of sports in the state.
Elder Bassey commended the Governor for his unwavering support for sports development, particularly in the areas of athlete motivation, talent discovery, and grassroots nurturing, which he said have positioned Akwa Ibom as a reference point in Nigerian sports administration.
Charging staff to raise the bar in 2026, the Commissioner urged the workforce to embrace a productive, disciplined, and result-oriented culture, while announcing plans for staff training and capacity-building programmes aimed at improving efficiency and professional competence.
He also called on sports associations to submit their annual activity schedules early to enable proper planning and seamless execution of sporting programmes across the state.
Formally declaring 2026 as a year of “Love, Unity, and Togetherness,” Elder Bassey outlined three strategic pillars to drive the Ministry’s agenda: unwavering dedication to its core mandate, hard work to surpass previous achievements, and sustained enthusiasm to maintain high morale within the sports sector.
In a move to boost motivation, the Sports Commissioner announced the introduction of a “Staff of the Year” award, designed to recognize and reward outstanding dedication, excellence, and commitment to duty.
Looking ahead, Elder Bassey identified the proposed Sports Academy project as a flagship priority for 2026, describing it as a long-term investment aimed at discovering, developing, and grooming young talents to keep Akwa Ibom at the forefront of Nigerian sports, in line with Governor Eno’s vision.
Earlier in the service, the Director of Facilities, Mr. Victor Owokure, delivered the homily from Daniel 6:3, emphasizing that Daniel’s preference was rooted in his “excellent spirit.” He encouraged staff to embody excellence in character, vision, and responsibility, especially when representing the state at competitions.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rosemary Ubia, thanked God for a new administrative year and urged staff to “raise their flag” through excellence. She reminded workers that the task for 2026 had already begun, charging them to remain committed, diligent, and consistent at their duty posts.
The service climaxed with special prayers offered for Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the Akwa Ibom State Government, and the entire workforce of the Ministry of Sports, committing the leadership, the state, and its sports sector into divine guidance and protection for a successful 2026.
