The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has mandated the Ministry of Special Duties to immediately reinstall the official signpost bearing the designation “Godswill Akpabio International Stadium” at the main entrance of the facility.
The House also directed its Committee on Youth, Sports and Security to ensure strict compliance with the resolution.
This followed a motion on “the need to restore the official signage at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium” moved by the member representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio and seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Prince Sampson Idiong during Tuesday’s plenary.
Presenting the motion, Barr. Akpabio recalled that the stadium, originally named Akwa Ibom International Stadium, was renamed by former Governor Udom Emmanuel in honour of his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio, in recognition of his vision and commitment in actualising the world-class facility despite initial opposition.
He noted that, as part of the renaming, a prominent signage bearing the new name was mounted at the stadium’s main entrance. However, he expressed concern that 11 years after the renaming, the signpost is no longer visible, describing the development as disturbing and inconsistent with global best practices for standard sporting facilities.
Akpabio, further lamented that a stadium ranked among Africa’s finest currently lacks a clearly visible official identity, stressing the need to urgently address the anomaly.
In a related development, the Assembly adopted another resolution urging the State Government to immortalise the late Etim Okon Inyang by naming the proposed Akwa Ibom State Command and Control Centre after him, or any other state edifice.
The resolution followed a motion by the Chief Whip, Rt. Hon. Effiong Johnson, who highlighted that the late Inyang remains the only indigene of the state to have risen to the position of Inspector General of Police, serving as the sixth IGP of Nigeria between 1983 and 1986.
Johnson, commended the late police chief’s distinguished career, noting that he rose through the ranks from a constable to the nation’s top policing position—an achievement he described as rare and yet to be replicated.
He observed that, unlike other prominent Akwa Ibom figures who have been honoured with public infrastructure, the late Inyang has not been formally immortalised by the state.
Both motions received unanimous support from lawmakers.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon.(Elder) Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok,to communicate the resolutions to the appropriate authorities for immediate action.
Meanwhile, plenary has been adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, 24th March 2026.
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