By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has sought partnership with MTN Nigeria Communications Plc in the area of tourism, as he expressed the readiness of his administration to partner the telecommunications giant in the development of the tourism sector of the State’s economy.
Pastor Umo Eno, who made government’s intention known, Thursday, during a courtesy call on him by the management of MTN Nigeria Plc, led by the chief sales and distribution officer, Mr Sida Adekuke, at Government House, Uyo, who were there to intimate the governor on the scheduled MTN Championship Sports tournament fixed for April 29 to May 3, 2025 in the State, restated his administration’s resolve to transform Akwa Ibom to a tourism hub within the Niger Delta region.
Eno noted that his administration has put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the realisation of the vision, as God has blessed the State with good infrastructure put in place by past leaders, adding that his administration has developed a good road network across the State, with the aviation ecosystem and the Ibom Air intact.
He maintained that Akwa Ibom has what it takes to bring people in and out of the State with ease, as government strives to make the State a hub for tourism within the Niger Delta, be it in sports, agricultural, cultural or medical tourism.
According to him, if government must begin to effectively look at the State beyond oil, the source of revenue is tourism which comes naturally.
The state chief executive officer appreciated the company’s initiative of hosting the MTN Championship Sports tournament in the State, and urged management of MTN Nigeria to remain steadfast in its commitments to its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, while also working hard to promote the State’s policies through its social platform to help strengthen the relationship between MTN and the State.
“We would like to welcome you to Akwa Ibom. Thank you for planning to host the MTN Champion Sports event here from 29th to the 3rd of May this year. We understand that the event is basically a talent hunt, so in whatever way we can promote sports tourism, we will do that.
“God has blessed us with good infrastructure, and from our past leaders, we have developed a good road network across the State, our aviation ecosystem is there. We have Ibom air, and we have what it takes to bring people in and out of Akwa Ibom with ease.
“Please continue with all of the CSR programmes that you do. We would like to continue to partner and work with you. I also like you to help promote Akwa Ibom the way you promote MTN itself so that we can continue to build a stronger relationship.”
The team lead, Mr. Sida Adekuke, lauded the governor’s pragmatic leadership prowess, noting that he has showcased a workable strategy in the implementation of the ARISE Agenda which has aided the transformation of the State into a hospitable hub for sports tourism.
Adekuke acknowledged, with satisfaction, the security architecture of the State, describing the inherent peace and serenity in the state as top notch.
The MTN Sales boss enumerated the company’s corporate social investments to include support to schools, health and several empowerment programmes for Akwa Ibom citizens and intimated the governor on the second season of MTN Chance Sports Competition, where six out of the 20 most valuable selected players are from Akwa Ibom.
Adekuke, who thanked Eno for the effective collaboration the company has enjoyed from government, solicited the government’s support for the event scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, also known as Nest of Champions and invited the governor to flag off the event on April 30, 2025.
Discussion about this post