Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, received players and officials of Ibom Angels Football Club at Uyo Township Stadium, following their victorious outing in the Women’s Second Division Football League Championship which ended yesterday in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

Ibom Angels secured one of two promotion tickets to the top flight of women’s league football in the country, NWFL, by beating Osun Babes of Osogbo 2-0 in a semi-final play-off at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

Speaking at the reception, the Governor described the ladies as true ambassadors of his ARISE Agenda, having demonstrated hardwork and resilience in their football career.

Governor Eno, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Monday Uko, said his administration would continue to place premium on the development of youths of the state, with the view to building in them, the spirit of independence, resourcefulness and productivity.

“I am glad that you heeded our clarion call by arising to your full potential to secure an achievement which, today, has put smiles on the faces of our people and has brought tremendous honour to our State.”

“Tomorrow, we will be inaugurating a 5,000-job scheme for some of our vulnerable youths, and that is just an indication of how seriously we take matters that have to do with our youths.”

The Governor, who made a cash donation to the team, tasked Ibom Angels to sustain their winning momentum, as the 2024/2025 NWFL gets underway.

He said sustaining the momentum would set them on the path of receiving global recognition, a development Governor Eno believed the Angels could achieve.

Responding, the Head Coach, Edwin Okon, and captain, Abasiofon Uwah, appreciated Governor Eno for investing hugely in the team, despite the present economic challenges confronting the country.

 They however pledged to continue to work hard in order to secure more wins which would place the state as a sporting hub in the comity of states in Nigeria.

Present at the occasion were; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Rose Bassey; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Matters, Iniobong Akpan; Director of Sports, Brigid Otton, among other dignitaries.