Nine LGAs Down, 22 To Go As Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival Unity Torch Tour Begins
The Unity Torch for the 2026 Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival has reached nine Local Government Areas, with 22 more expected to receive the symbolic torch as the statewide tour continues.
The four-day relay began on Wednesday, September 16, following the lighting of the Torch of Unity by Governor Umo Bassey Eno last Thursday ahead of the sports festival.
The tour is being organised by the Interministerial Committee in collaboration with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the festival and is scheduled to cover all 31 Local Government Areas by Saturday, September 19.
The nine LGAs visited so far are Uruan, Nsit Atai, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Ibom, Essien Udim, Obot Akara, Ikot Ekpene, Ikono and Ini.
The Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, is represented on the tour by two teams of athletes and officials led by directors from the Ministry of Sports.
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Director of Administration in the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Ntimkpo Udoaka, and Director of ICT, Mr Daniel Elijah Usip, said the Torch Handover was part of the state government’s plan to promote grassroots sports and youth empowerment.
They also thanked the Local Government chairmen for supporting the exercise and receiving the delegation in their respective areas.
The visits have been marked by receptions from council officials, with several chairmen confirming their readiness to take part in the second edition of the state sports festival.
At Ibesikpo Asutan, council chairman Rt. Hon. Evangelist Edidiong Inyang said the festival would provide another opportunity to identify young sporting talents.
He recalled that talents were discovered during the first edition and expressed hope that more athletes would emerge from the 2026 festival.
In Uruan, council chairman Rt. Hon. Surv. Iniobong Ekpenyong received the delegation and pledged the council’s support for sports development, unity and healthy competition among young people.
The Torch also received warm receptions in Nsit Ibom, Essien Udim, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Ikono and Ini, where council officials confirmed their participation in the festival.
In Ini, council chairman Hon. Inibehe Umah said the Local Government would participate in the games and expressed the ambition to compete for victory.
The relay now moves to more LGAs as the state counts down to the opening of the festival on Tuesday, September 22.
On Thursday, September 17, the Torch is scheduled to visit Nsit Ubium, Etinan, Eket, Esit Eket, Ibeno, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun and Ika.
The remaining LGAs will be covered before the Unity Torch tour ends on Saturday, September 19.
With nine of 31 LGAs already covered, the exercise has entered its next phase as Akwa Ibom prepares for the 2026 State Sports Festival.
