By Solomon OKPO/Edidiong STEPHEN
UYO, Akwa Ibom State will once again be in the global sporting spotlight as a number of its distinguished athletes and officials have been selected to represent Nigeria at the 23rd Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
Heading the state’s contingent is internationally acclaimed weightlifting official, Lawrence Iquaibom, who has been appointed as an International Technical Official (ITO) for weightlifting at the Games.
The appointment makes Iquaibom the only Nigerian weightlifting official selected in that capacity and one of just five Africans entrusted with officiating the event. He currently serves as Vice President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation and has maintained an impressive presence at major continental and global championships over the past decade.
A former Commonwealth weightlifting gold medallist and Olympian, the Mkpat Enin-born sports administrator enjoyed a distinguished competitive career before retiring from the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service as Director of Sports.
In a letter signed by the Director of Sports for Glasgow 2026, Natalie Cunningham, the Organising Committee confirmed his appointment, stating that his selection followed his nomination by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and approval by Commonwealth Sport.
The letter noted that as a Technical Official, Iquaibom would play a pivotal role in delivering “a truly transformative moment for the Commonwealth Sports Movement.”
Also flying Nigeria’s flag is Africa’s celebrated weightlifting champion, Edidiong Umoafia, who returns to the Commonwealth Games aiming to improve on the bronze medal he won at the Birmingham 2022 Games.
Fresh from winning one gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the recent Islamic Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Umoafia is expected to spearhead Nigeria’s challenge alongside Ruth Asuquo, who recently claimed three gold medals at the African Weightlifting Championships in Egypt. Both athletes are part of Nigeria’s eight-member weightlifting squad made up of three men and five women.
Akwa Ibom will also be represented in judo by National Sports Festival multiple gold medallist Enku Ewa, who is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s brightest medal prospects. Ewa, whose mother is the Director of Coaching in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Sports, a board member of the Nigeria Judo Federation and an Olympian, continues a proud family sporting tradition.
Speaking in Uyo ahead of the Games, Iquaibom expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for his unwavering commitment to sports development in Akwa Ibom.
He credited the Governor’s sustained investment in sports, including the successful hosting of the State Sports Festival and the provision of modern sporting equipment, for creating an enabling environment that continues to produce athletes and technical officials capable of competing on the world stage.
Iquaibom also commended the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for effectively driving the Governor’s vision for sports development, describing him as the ideal administrator to lead the state’s ongoing sporting renaissance.
In his remarks, Bassey said the impressive representation of Akwa Ibom at the Commonwealth Games reflects the administration’s sustained investment in sports infrastructure, athlete development and human capacity building.
According to the Commissioner, the participation of the state’s athletes and officials further reinforces Akwa Ibom’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sports powerhouses while inspiring the next generation of young talents to pursue excellence on the international stage.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, featuring 10 core sports alongside an integrated para-sports programme across four iconic venues. Akwa Ibom’s representatives are expected to play key roles as Nigeria seeks honours at one of the Commonwealth’s biggest sporting events.
