Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has doled out cash rewards totaling over ₦50 million to 44 athletes who clinched medals at the second edition of the Niger Delta Games in Benin City, Edo State.
The official presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday at the conference room of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, marking a major milestone in the state government’s push to celebrate sporting excellence.
Addressing the gathering, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, noted that the impressive performance stemmed from the governor’s timely intervention and release of funds for standard training equipment.
Under the lucrative reward structure, gold medalists walked away with ₦500,000 naira each, silver medalists received ₦250,000 naira, and bronze medalists got ₦150,000 naira, with payments made directly into their bank accounts.
Standout beneficiaries included weightlifter Samuel Sampson, who bagged ₦1.5 million for winning three gold medals, alongside tennis player Etoro Bassey, middle-distance runner Hephzibah Okon, and tennis star Wisdom Paul, who each received ₦750,000 naira.
In a historic first for the state, the magnanimous reward scheme was also extended to coaches, officials, and non-medal-winning members of the contingent who represented Akwa Ibom at the regional tournament.
Commissioner Bassey further highlighted the administration’s broader commitment to sports development, recalling that three athletes who won medals for Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games in Scotland recently received automatic employment into the state civil service.
He urged the athletes to remain disciplined, dedicated, and focused as they eye future glory on national and international stages.
Responding on behalf of the athletes, scrabble bronze medalist Miss Beulah Bassey expressed profound gratitude to Governor Eno and the Ministry of Sports for the financial motivation and guidance.
She assured the state government that the athletes would remain fiercely committed to sharpening their skills and bringing home even greater honors in upcoming competitions.
