The coming of Governor Udom Emmanuel has suddenly transformed Akwa Ibom State into a sporting giant in Nigeria.
Under Governor Emmanuel, Akwa Ibom won its first ever national football competition when it lifted the 2015 Aiteo Cup (Footbal Association Cup).
Before his coming, Akwa United FC had been toiling in vain in the Nigerian elite league since 2007 and went on relegation on a number of times.
But when Governor Emmanuel came on board, he steadied the floundering fortunes of the club and reinforced it into a winning team.
His “Rise To Greatness” (Dakkada) philosophy galvanized sportsmen and women into attaining their optimum.
In 2016, Akwa United won the Nigerian Super Cup and in 2017 lifted the FA Cup again.
In the 2017-2018 season,the team finished second in the league with 41points, just two points behind Lobi Stars, the winners.
Governor Emmanuel has brought out the best in every athlete in the state such that he was recognized as the 2018 Best Sports Governor in Nigeria.
As if to prove the award was not a one-off, he became the first governor in the present dispensation to have two teams in the elite football league following the promotion of Dakkada FC, formerly known as Akwa Starlets.
He also introduced Akwa Ibom Sports Festival that has become a veritable talent hunting ground.
The governor is today crowning his glorious sports development with the completion of a modern stadium in Eket about to be commissioned.
