Umo Eno Reveals Plan to Build a Sports Academy in Eket

…Promises to prioritize the Development of Riverine Communities

The Evangelist
October 30, 2022
By Inyene PIUS

The empowerment of young people through sports and skills development characterized the talking points of the Gubernatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Umo Bassey Eno at the flag off of the party’s senatorial campaigns for Akwa Ibom South at the Eket Township Stadium, on Saturday 28th of October 2022.

While addressing a mammoth crowd of party faithful, Pastor Eno revealed plans to build a Sports Academy in Eket to complement the recently commissioned 18,000 capacity Eket Stadium built by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Eno, who attended the rally with his wife, Pastor Patience Eno, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the PDP, Senator Akon Eyakenyi and other critical stakeholders, observed that the idea of opening a sport academy in Eket is in line with his consolidation agenda which will be actualized by connecting the dots.

He added that the sports academy will rejig the spirit of sportsmanship in the State and create the right platform for sports savvy youths in the State to enhance their professional growth.

The clergyman and seasoned entrepreneur emphasized that one-third of Akwa Ibom’s space is covered by the sea, hence the need to strengthen the blue economy by supporting those in riverine areas whose main occupation is fish farming.

According to him, creating tourism sites in areas like Oron, Mbo, Ikot Abasi, etc will facilitate aquatic farming and engender economic development in the State.

In his words: “Eket Senatorial District has been kind to us and we cannot forget your generosity. I cannot forget Eket. The headquarters of my church is in Eket and that means that I will be visiting you every month”

“From Mbo to Ikot Abasi, we have 129 kilometers of coastline and we have to put it to use by using it for tourist sites. The riverine areas whose main occupation is fish farming will benefit from what I call the blue economy, because one-third of the State is in the deep sea, so it’s time to go to the sea and make money, and we will facilitate that by encouraging and supporting our farmers.”

“We will restore our tourism sites in Oron and ensure that we set up ferries that will carry people from Calabar to Oron to boost tourism in Akwa Ibom State. We will establish industries that will help to carry your harvests and give you outboard engines and trawlers, and ensure that you no longer get to hire. We will continue to work with the Nigerian Navy and provide them with more gunboats to ensure that our waters are safe for our people.”

The governorship hopeful appealed to Akwaibomites to vote for PDP from the presidential level, to the governorship, as well as House of Assembly and Representatives members, adding that it will engender the bequeathing of dividends of democracy to Akwa Ibom State.