The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Special Duties to immediately reinstall the official signpost bearing the inscription “Godswill Akpabio International Stadium” at the main entrance of the stadium complex.
The House further mandated its Committee on Youth, Sports and Security to ensure strict compliance with the resolution.
The resolution followed a motion titled “The Need to Restore the Official Signage at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium,” sponsored 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.
Leading debate on the motion, Barr. Akpabio recalled that the facility, originally known as Akwa Ibom International Stadium, was renamed “Godswill Akpabio International Stadium” by former Governor Udom Emmanuel in honour of his predecessor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for his vision and commitment in actualising the world-class edifice despite initial opposition.
He noted that, following the renaming, a prominent signage bearing the new name was installed at the main entrance but expressed concern that, 11 years after, the signpost is no longer visible. He described the situation as disturbing and incompatible with global best practices for standard sporting facilities, particularly for a stadium ranked among Africa’s finest.
Akpabio stressed that a flagship sports facility of such standing must project a clear, dignified and easily identifiable official identity, and urged the House to intervene to correct the anomaly without delay.
In a related development, the Assembly adopted another resolution urging the State Government to immortalise the late Inspector General of Police, Etim Okon Inyang, by naming the proposed Akwa Ibom State Command and Control Centre after him, or dedicating any other suitable state edifice in his honour.
The motion was moved 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 Nigeria’s sixth IGP between 1983 and 1986. He commended the late police chief’s distinguished career, noting that he joined the Nigeria Police Force as a constable and rose through the ranks to head the institution—an uncommon feat yet to be replicated by any other Akwa Ibom indigene.
Johnson further observed that, unlike other eminent sons and daughters of the state who have been honoured through the naming of public infrastructure, the late Inyang has not been formally immortalised by the Akwa Ibom State Government, and urged the House to lend its voice to correcting this omission.
Both motions were unanimously adopted by the House.
In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Udeme Otong, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. NsikakAbasi Orok, to convey the resolutions to the appropriate authorities for immediate implementation.
Plenary was thereafter adjourned to reconvene on Tuesday, 24 March 2026.
