The second edition of the Patience Umo Eno Memorial Football Tournament has ended with Ward 3 emerging as champions after securing a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Ward 1.
The victory for ward 3, was secured in an exciting grand finale at Afaha Ekpenedi, in Esit Eket Local Government Area.
The decisive moment came in the first half when the tournament’s top scorer, Wisdom Wilson, slotted home the lone goal, which proved enough to seal the victory and claim the coveted championship trophy.
Performing the ceremonial kick-off, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All, GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, commended the sponsor of the tournament, Comrade Victor Etangkanga Victor, for his foresight and dedication to Unifying the Youths of Esit Eket, through sports.
Speaking through her representative, the President of the Eket Senatorial District Women’s Forum, Dr Idara Akpan, the Coordinator applauded Mr Etangnkanga for keeping the cherished memory and virtues of her mother, Pastor Patience Umo Eno alive, through a sports platform that unifies the youth and channels their dynamic energy towards peace and positive development.
Lady Obareki who described her mother as a phenomenal woman of many virtues worthy of emulation, thanked individuals and groups that have used various platforms to keep her memory alive, reiterating her commitment to upholding her legacy by enhancing Family Lives, through GIFA.
The Ward 1 and Ward 3 players gave the cheering crowd of spectators a memorable grand finale as they deployed all the tactics in their arsenal to secure their spot at the top.
Efforts by Ward 1 to equalise in the second half proved abortive as the Ward 3 defence resisted all manouvers, with the score at full time remaining at 1–0 victory and Ward 3 crowned as champions.
Speaking before the awards ceremony, the convener of the tournament, and SA to the Governor on Support Groups, Mr Victor Etangkanga said the tournament was birthed to immortalise his Boss and Mother, pastor Patience Umo Eno, in recognition of her life of impact and contributions to humanity, while identifying outstanding players that would be a part of the Esit Eket team for future sports competitions in Akwa Ibom State, and beyond.
Medals were later presented to participating teams, together with the trophy and the star prize of one million naira to the First place winners, seven hundred thousand for second place winners.
Third place winners, Ward ten, received five hundred thousand naira.
In the delegation from the office of the First Lady were the President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Udo; the wife of the Commissioner for Power, Mrs Maria Therese Robson and the Vice Chairman of Eket Local Government Council Hon. Inyang Akpanwan.
The grand finale attracted a distinguished assemblage of other members of the First Family – Mrs Jayne Ufot and her spouse, Captain Edidiong Ufot; and Mr Rehoboth Eno, together with the Chairman of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council, Engr Emmanuel Inyang.
Other Stakeholders who watched the thrilling finals included the APC flag bearer for the Eket Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representative Dr Eunice Thomas, who was represented by Hon Odiongito Odiongito; the wife of the member representing Esit Eket and Ibeno State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs Jenny Udobia; the Chairman of Esit Eket LGC, Mrs Uduak Ikott; the Chairman of Eastern Obolo LGC, Hon. Samuel Nteogwuijah; and the Vice Chairman of Esit Eket LGC, Pastor Eddy Etangkanga.
The Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey and the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Mr. Samuel Umoh; led the sporting community.
The Media community were equally represented with the presence of the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Nsibiet John; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation and Dean of the College of Personal Aides to the Governor, Dr Essien Ndueso, and other medis professionals.
For the sports loving people of Esit Eket and adjoining Local Government Areas, honouring the legacy of Pastor Patience Umo Eno, the deceased First Lady of Akwa Ibom State and founder of the Golden Initiative For All, GIFA through youth empowerment and community harmony is an action befitting of the woman fondly called Eka Iberedem, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, who lived a life of service and exhibited an uncanny love for humanity.
