By Mfon PATRICK|Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has been honoured with an Award of Excellence by the Jacob Esuene Squash Academy in recognition of his outstanding contributions to sports development and human capital advancement in Nigeria.
The award, instituted by the Jacob Esuene Squash Academy in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Racquet Association and in conjunction with the Nigeria Squash Federation, was presented to the commissioner in Uyo by the proprietor of the academy, Engineer Iniobong Esuene.
Presenting the award, Engr. Esuene, South-South representative on the board of the Nigeria Squash Federation and Vice Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Squash Association described Elder Bassey as a critical driver of sports development within Akwa Ibom State and beyond. He said the honour was in recognition of the commissioner’s consistency, achievements, and commitment to repositioning sports as a tool for youth empowerment and development.
“I sincerely thank the Honourable Commissioner for his numerous contributions to sports development and for serving as a source of motivation to many Nigerians. We are particularly grateful that he honoured our invitation to the Invitational Tournament in Eket, which provided a platform to engage and inspire many youths through squash,” Esuene said.
He also commended Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for appointing Elder Bassey to oversee the sports sector, noting that the decision aligns with the sports development objectives of the ARISE Agenda.
“We appreciate your efforts in promoting sports in Akwa Ibom State and trust that you will continue to deploy your wealth of experience in making the state a recognised sports hub in Nigeria. I also thank His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for his confidence in your capacity to deliver beyond expectations,” he added.
Responding, Elder Bassey expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno, PhD, for the opportunity to serve as the pioneer Commissioner for Sports in the state. He described the Invitational Championship organised by the academy as a credible platform for discovering and grooming young squash talents.
“I am impressed with what I witnessed in Eket during the Invitational Championship. I commend Engineer Iniobong Esuene for his passion and sustained commitment to the development of squash in Akwa Ibom State over the past seven years,” the commissioner said.
He further praised the management of squash in the state for ensuring regular competitions, noting that consistent engagement has translated into visible improvements in athletes’ performance.
“I am honoured to receive this award. It is a call to greater service. As Commissioner for Sports, I will continue to encourage individuals and corporate organisations to invest in sports development. Our objective is to create opportunities for youths to discover their talents, represent the state and the nation, and build meaningful careers through sports,” Elder Bassey stated.
