By Amos Etuk
Thursday, October 23, 2025 practically manifested the template of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno with the successful fulfilment of the vision of signing of the partnership deal between two indigenous high flying brands in Akwa Ibom State, Akwa United Football Club and Nigeria’s leading Airline, Ibom Air in a ceremony that consolidates the implementation of a strong component in Social Corporate Responsibility.
Sports continues to be a unifier, sports continues to be a brand builder, sports continues to identify more talents , sports continues to mould the Youths, Sports drives tourism and sports continues to build a common cause of development.
Founded in 1997 during the administration of Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi, Akwa United Football Club over the years has grown to become the most successful club in Akwa Ibom State and a national brand winning Nigerian Professional Football League title in 2021, two Federation Cups in 2015 and 2017 and winning the most State Football Association Cup trophies till date, 16 of the last 17 editions. The team has represented Nigeria in the CAF Champions League once and CAF Confederations Cup twice.
Ibom Air which commenced operations in 2019 in six years has emerged Nigeria’s best airline spreading its wings of timeliness in service delivery, excellence in service and smooth operations across major cities in the country connecting major cities in the nation from Akwa Ibom State with an impressive revenue base and expanding fleet of aircrafts to stand out as an airline of choice for their numerous passengers.
The historic event of this partnership is another milestone of Governor Umo Eno’s successful blueprint of the ARISE Agenda in encouraging private sector investment towards building a viable economy and with the mileage sports offers with regards to revenue generation, the strengthening of youth emancipation, rehabilitation, advocacy and empowerment through sports.
The significance of the partnership makes Ibom Air as the Official Sponsor of Akwa United Football Club in a deal valued at N200,000,000 { Two Hundred Million} Naira Only for an initial two year term including cash and kind contributions, with 50 percent of the total value provided in kind. It is indeed a huge package with great incentives for teeming fans on match days.
The biggest commitment of this bond between these two top brands is the determination to rise together with the immediate set target of ensuring that this motivation gets Akwa United back to the Nigerian Professional Football League at the end of the season, a clear directive earlier given by Governor Umo Eno.
This is the first time the Nigerian National League {NNL} will be having such a brand partnership in that category and it ushers so much excitement for football fans across Nigeria to see the strength Akwa United brings into the league on November 9, 2025 when this division of the League kicks Off with their first game, a home fixture against Solution Football Club of Anambra State at the Uyo Township Stadium supported by Ibom Air.
In two years and five months Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has brought sports renaissance to the fore of his administration and since the appointment of Elder Paul Bassey in February 2025 , a renowned Sports administrator as the Commissioner for Sports, the mileages of achievements have been tremendous from the hosting of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Akwa Ibom State, hosting of the Zonal elimination for the National Youth Games, the successful outing of Team Akwa Ibom at the National Youth Games at Asaba, Delta State, the successful Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, purchase of new sporting equipment in the Ministry and upgrade of facilities, the hosting of the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium and this new partnership deal that reaffirms the commitment of the Governor’s vision for sports development with the ARISE Agenda is not just on course but yielding fruits. These are massive milestones.
Setting the tone at the partnership ceremony, the Group Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ibom Air, Mrs Aniekan Essienette described the moment as historic emphasising that the airline was boldly identifying with Akwa United with a firm belief that rising together will push both brands to more heights of successes, while the Chairman of Akwa United , Mr.Joseph Eno while welcoming the new deal pledged that the Club will excel and return to the elite division of professional football in Nigeria next season.
For Mr. George Uriesi, Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ibom Air, the partnership is a reflection of the airline’s commitment to supporting the State through impactful community focused initiatives describing the event as the best time to invest in sports with Akwa United, a club with a proud championship history, currently rebuilding. He reaffirmed the airline’s support in their resurgence to the top of the league and beyond.
An emotional Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey described the occasion as a reality and in alignment with the vision of the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno for a long term collaboration for sports development. He further described it as driving private sector investment in sports and laying a foundation for domestic sports to compete with global standards which will bring great success to both Ibom Air and Akwa United and by extension, Akwa Ibom State.
Members of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council who gave goodwill messages, Hon.{Dr.} Aniekan Umanah, Commissioner for Information said the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno was clearly manifesting in the bigger Akwa Ibom Project emphasising the huge revenue benefits sports tourism attracts to any economy while, Dr. Anieti Udofia, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism reaffirmed the relationship between his Ministry and Sports in driving a synergy that will continue to make Akwa Ibom State a destination of world class excellence.
Other features of the signing ceremony included the inauguration of the Jersey committee in providing replica jerseys for teeming fans and the Award Committee tasked in identifying the best player at every home and away fixture with prizes to motivate the team while fans will also win freebees during matches.
Governor Umo Eno has been exceptional in his leadership policies in Akwa Ibom State and with the ARISE Agenda strongly on course, private sector investments in the economy of the State is growing in leaps and bounds. These investments in sports are clearly re-engineering a process of not just a new foundation but the preparations for the harvests of laurels in the nearest future.
Indeed, Akwa Ibom is Rising.
