Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has expressed the readiness of his administration to partner with the communications giant, MTN Nigeria, in the development of the tourism sector of the State economy.
Governor Eno made the intention known while exchanging views with the management of the company led by the Chief Sales and Distribution Officer, Mr Olusina Adegoke, during a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.
Governor Eno appreciated the company’s initiative of hosting the MTN Championship Sports tournament scheduled between 29th April and 3rd May in the State, and reiterated his administration’s resolve to transform Akwa Ibom to a tourism hub within the Niger Delta region, assuring that his administration has put in place the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the realization of the vision.
“We would like to welcome you to Akwa Ibom. Thank you for planning to host the MTN Champs 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.
“Actually, we are trying to make Akwa Ibom a hub for tourism within the Niger Delta. So whether it is sports, Agricultural, cultural or medical tourism, we are trying our best.
“If we must begin to effectively look at the State beyond Oil, another source of revenue is tourism which comes naturally.
“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,” he stated.
The Governor therefore urged the Management of MTN to remain steadfast in its commitments to Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR, while also working hard to promote the State’s policies through its social platform, reasoning that this will help strengthen the relationship between MTN and the State.
“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 stronger relationship.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr. Adegoke, congratulated Pastor Eno for his pragmatic leadership style, saying that he has showcased a workable strategy in the implementation of the ARISE Agenda which has transformed the State into a hospitable hub for sports tourism.
He acknowledged the State’s security architecture, describing the inherent peace and serenity in the State as top notch and thanked him for the effective collaboration the company has enjoyed from the State administration.
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 Champs competition, explaining that six out of the 20 most valuable players for the games are indigenes of the State.
Adegoke used the occasion to solicit the State Government’s support for the event scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and invited the Governor to flag off the event on April 30, 2025.
