By Julius Nsikak|Sports Recorder
A wave of pride swept through Ikono Local Government Area on Monday, May 12, 2025, as the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Engr. Oto-Obong Okon Essien, COP, hosted a grand civic reception in honour of indigenes who clinched medals at the 2025 Niger Delta Sports Festival and the MTN CHAMPS track race tournament.
The event, held at the Ikono Council Hall in Ibiaku Ntok Okpo, attracted a crowd of stakeholders, community leaders, and well-wishers who came together to celebrate the athletes’ outstanding accomplishments on the national stage.
In her keynote remarks, Chairman Essien praised the athletes for their resilience, discipline, and representation of Ikono’s excellence, stating, “These feats affirm that Ikono is not just a land of promise, but of proven potential. As your Chairman, I stand here on behalf of our Governor to say we are proud of you—and we stand with you.”
She also revealed bold plans to institutionalise sports development in the LGA through the establishment of a Sports Academy in Ikono. This initiative, she said, would provide structured training, mentorship, and exposure for talented youths in various sporting disciplines.
Reflecting on her past contributions to youth and sports development during her tenure as a councillor, Essien advised the medalists to combine academic pursuits with athletic discipline to prepare for national and global opportunities. “You must stay focused. The government is ready to back you to the international level,” she added.
Supporting the Chairman’s vision, Vice Chairman Hon. John Bassey, along with other dignitaries, commended the athletes and reiterated the Council’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
Goodwill messages poured in from respected figures including Prof. Ubong Essien (Commissioner for Education, represented by Madam Koko-mma Bassey), Miss Akwa Ibom State 2025 Queen Unwana Philip Obot, Council Secretary Hon. Bassey Umo, and others. They celebrated the young athletes and encouraged them to remain committed to their goals.
Comrade Emmanuel Boniface, Special Assistant to the Chairman on Sports, highlighted the performance statistics: of the nine gold medals secured by Akwa Ibom at the Niger Delta Sports Festival, five were won by Ikono indigenes. He commended the Chairman for making history as the first council boss to publicly honour young athletes in such a grand manner.
Medalists honoured include:
Gold: Inimfon Umoren (High Jump), Solomon Usoro (Long Jump), Abasiubong Okpon (4×100m Relay), Ekikere Frank (100m), Odot Effiong & Nsikak Francis (4×400m Mixed Relay), Ndiana Sampson (High Jump), Dorcas Okon (Boxing), Esther Effiong (Weightlifting), Anyanime Sunday (Relay), Edidiong Kenneth (Relay), Etinyene Udo, and Edidiong Sam (High Jump).
Silver: Solomon Okonna (1500m), Captain Ubong Usoro (Masters), Unyime Umoh (Masters).
Bronze: Uwakmfon Ekpo (Discus), Nseno Aniefiok (Javelin).
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of awards, gifts, and other glamorous moments that crowned a historic day for sports development in Ikono.
