Eno hails Flamingos, seeks reception for Akwa Ibom heroine Mary Akpan

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has congratulated Akwa Ibom-born footballer Mary Dunstan Akpan and Nigeria’s U-17 ladies’s nationwide crew, the Flamingos, following their historic victory on the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos made historical past by changing into the primary African nation to win the trophy after defeating Japan 2-1 within the closing.

Governor Eno stated he obtained the information with nice pleasure, describing it as a second of immense satisfaction for Nigeria. He added that his pleasure doubled when he learnt that Mary, one of many gamers within the historic squad, is a daughter of Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor stated he was notably touched when Mary took to social media with a video proudly figuring out together with her Akwa Ibom roots in her second of glory.

“I was already excited and proud when I heard that Nigeria had made history. But when I learnt that Mary Dunstan Akpan is our daughter from Akwa Ibom, my joy knew no bounds. It became even more exciting when I watched her video online, proudly identifying with her roots. That gesture touched me deeply. Even in her moment of glory on the world stage, she remembered home,” Eno stated.

Mary, who hails from Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, performed an necessary position in Nigeria’s marketing campaign. She scored Nigeria’s second aim within the 2-1 Round of 16 victory over Mexico, serving to the crew progress to the quarter-finals.

In recognition of the achievement, Governor Eno has directed the Commissioner for Sports Development, Elder Paul Bassey, to organise a reception in honour of Mary and two different Akwa Ibom indigenes who have been a part of the Flamingos’ delegation in Morocco.

They are Arit Robert Effiong, who served as Team Secretary, and Charity Etim Godwin, the crew’s Physiotherapist.

“This administration will continue to celebrate with our people. We are happy, we are proud, and we will be waiting to receive our heroes. Mary has made us proud, and we want her and the other members of the delegation to know that Akwa Ibom State celebrates them,” the Governor stated.

Governor Eno additionally congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the historic achievement was one other supply of nationwide satisfaction because the Federal Government’s reforms start to yield outcomes.

He prolonged congratulations to the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation, the technical crew and all the Flamingos squad for his or her willpower and onerous work, describing the victory as a significant milestone for Nigerian and African ladies’s soccer.

He expressed hope that Mary’s success would encourage extra younger women in Akwa Ibom State to pursue their desires in sports activities.