CHRIS EKONG: Developing Sports in Akwa Ibom

Since its creation in 1987, Akwa Ibom State has produced several sports commissioners, Sole Administrators and Chairmen of the Sports Council, but sports development under Dr. Chris Ekong has taken a new dimension.

As an oil producing state, Akwa Ibom cannot boast of an ultra-modern stadium as it is obtainable in other oil producing states like Abia - Enyimba Stadium, Aba and Orji Uzor Kalu Stadium Umuohia, Imo - Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri, Cross River - U. J. Esuene stadium, Calabar, Rivers Liberation stadium – Elekahia and Sharks stadium, Civic Centre, Port Harcourt, Bayelsa, Bayelsa State Sports Complex, Yenegoa, Delta Warri township stadium, Oghara township stadium and Ugheli township stadium Edo, Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin, Ondo Akure township stadium.  As somebody who has played football at the top level, Dr. Chris Ekong initiated the reconstruction of Uyo township stadium, so that the sports loving people of the state could have the opportunity of watching top flight football.  For instance, during the premier league match between Akwa United F.C of Uyo and Enyimba of Aba last year, though the centre referee spoiled all the funs, the turn-out at the stadium was a beautiful sight to watch as it resembled what is obtainable in European Leagues.
         
Born on the 25th of October, 1967 in Iboko Offot in the present Uyo Local Government Area, Christopher Nyong Ekong started his primary education at Primary School, Iboko Offot where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate before proceeding to Community Secondary School, Aka Offot for his secondary education.  As a brilliant young child with outstanding academic excellence, Chris was not done there, as he went further to the University of Uyo where he bagged his B.Sc. in economics.
         
As a young boy born with natural football talent, Chris started his football career right from his childhood days where he represented his school (primary and secondary) in inter-schools football competition.
         
Chris Ekong has played for many football club during his playing days including Everbright Football Club of Abak, Jetimo FC of Uyo, Uyo Green Stars FC.  He has also played for Uyo Local Government team in the prestigious Governor’s cup Football competition and also represented his University at the Nigerian University Games (NUGA).
         
The high point of his football career was when he played for the Youths, Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) team.  It was while playing for YSFON, that Chris Ekong traveled to Denmark, Sweden and Brazil.  Because of his exploits and outstanding football skills, the late former YSFON, President, Dokun Abidoye adopted him and he was nickname “Abidoye Boy”.  Some of his team mates included Emmanuel King (Emu), Emmanuel Ekanem (Ekango), Joe Mboma, Friday Essien, Emman Edemewa, Ifiok Peters, Dominic Umoh and Ghanaian, Paul Ephraim.
         
During his playing days he was lucky to have played under experience coaches like, Charles Bassey (MON), Philip Enyeama and Ime Uko. 
          Chris Ekong has also played for NYSC team in Imo State.  Chris Ekong’s credentials as an academic of distinction and consummate leader were noticeable right at the early stages of his life.
         
As a young man who has a promising future, Chris, not satisfied with the academic laurels at his disposal, enrolled for a post graduate programme in University of Port Harcourt where he completed with a Master’s Degree in 1991.  He went further and enrolled for a Ph.D programme in Monetary Economics and completed this height of academic attainment and distinction from the University of Uyo.
       
Dr. Chris Ekong has from 1992 been a Economics Lecturer of various grades at the University of Uyo and rose to the position of Lecturer I in 1999.
         
Dr. Chris Ekong has held several positions and has attended several workshops and seminars.  In 1998, he was called to duties at the UNDP as a Socio-Economic Consultant where he carried out baseline data survey in 15 communities of Akwa Ibom State.
         
As a Socio Economic Consultant under Uniuyo Consult, Dr. Ekong served in an Environmental Impact Assessment study for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria.  And quite expectedly, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria rewarded him as committee Development Adviser “between” 1999 - 2001.  In 2001, he became the Project Manager, Fresh and Green.  Between 2001 to part of 2002, the State Government, in acknowledgement of his expertise appointed him as a Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission.  He became a member of the State Executive Council when he was appointed as the Special adviser, Bureau of Youth and Culture.  Dr. Chris Ekong was later appointed the Pioneer commissioner for Youth and Sports.
         
During his tenure as the sports boss, Akwa Ibom has recorded tremendous improvement in the Nations Sports Festival and other sporting competitions.  He took over as the chairman of Akwa United Football Club from Elder Isong Isang in 2003 and since then adopted the club as his pet project.
         
The highest achievement recorded by Dr. Chris Ekong as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports was the promotion of Akwa United to the Premier League and he initiated the renovation of Uyo township stadium to be named Akwa United Stadium.
         
Dr. Chris Ekong is also the President of Uyo All Stars Club.  He was also part of the state government delegation to Madison Square Garden, New York, USA to drum support for Samuel Peter.  Only recently, he was the Chairman of Samuel Peter’s reception ceremony.
         
Dr. Chris Ekong who is presently the Commissioner for Economic Development is happily married to Mrs. Idara Ekong and the marriage is blessed a one son and a daughter.  Under him, sports in the state have recorded tremendous improvement.