By Solomon OKPO
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, has called on government establishments to institutionalise regular sporting activities as part of workplace routines to promote staff wellness, improve productivity and strengthen teamwork.
Bassey made the call on Thursday while delivering a lecture to members of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE), Akwa Ibom State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Federal Civil Service Week. The event, held at the Federal Secretariat Conference Room in Uyo, was themed, “Transforming Public Institutions, Advancing Innovation, Participation and Inclusion.”
Speaking on the topic, “Sports as a Tool for Productivity and Staff Wellness,” the commissioner described sports as more than a recreational or competitive activity, stressing that it is a vital tool for healthy living, discipline and enhanced workplace performance.
He noted that regular participation in sports fosters team spirit, improves physical and mental health, and creates a more productive work environment.
According to him, research and sports medicine have consistently shown that sustained physical activity boosts morale, promotes good health and enhances employees’ capacity to deliver optimal performance.
“A healthy work environment is collaborative, supportive and productivity-oriented. Such an environment is sustained by healthy employees whose physical fitness translates into improved efficiency and better organisational results,” he said.
Highlighting the realities of today’s workplace, including sedentary lifestyles, technological dependence and demanding work schedules, Bassey urged organisations to prioritise sports as a health necessity rather than viewing it solely as recreation.
He explained that physical exercise stimulates the release of hormones such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which improve memory, concentration, learning ability and decision-making.
Drawing from his Christian faith, the commissioner also cited biblical passages, including Isaiah 40:31, 2 Timothy 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, to underscore the enduring significance of sports and physical endurance.
The lecture formed part of the week-long 2026 Federal Civil Service Week celebrations, which began on June 20 and will conclude on June 28.
The event also featured the unveiling of the AHFE sports jersey, performed by the commissioner alongside the association’s chairman, Dcns Uduak Essien, a Senior Director in the Federal Civil Service.
