Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has showered encomiums on Akwa Ibom-born forward Mary Dunstan Akpan and the entire Nigeria U-17 women national team, the Flamingos, following their historic emergence as champions of the world at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup concluded in Morocco.

In a statement released in Uyo by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh, the Governor described the Flamingos’ World Cup triumph as a defining moment for Nigeria’s football history and a source of exceptional pride for Akwa Ibom State, which contributed key personnel to the victorious national team.

Governor Eno said the victory in Morocco has once again validated the abundant pool of talents in Nigeria and underscored his administration’s conviction that deliberate investment in grassroots sports, youth development and talent grooming can produce global champions capable of ruling the world in their respective disciplines.

Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Eno said: “On behalf of the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, I heartily congratulate our dear daughter, Mary Dunstan Akpan, and the entire Flamingos team on this historic achievement. You have made Nigeria proud and you have brought honour to our dear state.”

According to the Governor, Mary Akpan displayed the true essence of the Akwa Ibom spirit throughout the tournament – excellence, industry, determination, resilience and courage in the face of stiff opposition from some of the best youth teams in world football, qualities that Akwa Ibom people are renowned for all over the world.

He noted that the young striker’s performance was outstanding from the group stage to the final, culminating in her crucial and unforgettable goal against Mexico, a strike that not only showcased her predatory instinct in front of goal but also brought immense joy, pride and honour to Akwa Ibom State and announced her to the world.

Governor Eno stated that by her performance, Mary has become a shining light, a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for thousands of young girls in Akwa Ibom and across Nigeria who dream of pursuing a career in football and other sports, proving that hard work, discipline and focus can lead to global recognition and success.

He further commended the entire Flamingos squad, the technical crew led by the head coach, the medical team, administrative officials and other support staff whose collective sacrifice, hard work, team spirit, tactical discipline and unity of purpose ensured that Nigeria conquered the world in Morocco against all expectations.

The Governor reserved special praise for two other illustrious daughters of Akwa Ibom State who were part of the backroom staff in Morocco, Mrs Arit Robert Effiong, who served as the Team Secretary and ensured smooth administrative coordination, and Mrs Charity Etim Godwin, who served as the Physiotherapist and kept the players fit and in top condition.

He said the contributions of Arit Effiong and Charity Godwin have clearly demonstrated that Akwa Ibom State is not only blessed with talented players but also with competent, qualified and highly professional personnel who can excel in sports administration, football management, sports medicine and other technical areas of modern football.

Governor Eno described the World Cup victory as a monumental milestone for women’s football in Nigeria and the African continent at large, noting that the Flamingos’ success will rekindle interest in women’s football, encourage more corporate bodies to invest in the women’s game and motivate more young girls to take up football as a career.

He said the achievement of the Flamingos transcends football, as it represents a victory for the Nigerian girl-child, a victory against gender stereotypes and a strong statement that given equal opportunities and support, Nigerian girls can achieve anything and compete with their counterparts from Europe, Asia and South America and emerge victorious.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to sports development, emphasizing that his government will continue to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, grassroots talent discovery, youth empowerment and capacity building in line with the ARISE Agenda which is the policy thrust of his administration.

He explained that the ARISE Agenda has sports development as one of its cardinal objectives, and his administration has been implementing deliberate policies and programmes aimed at providing opportunities for Akwa Ibom youths to discover, develop and showcase their talents to the world while earning a decent living from sports.

According to him, his government has invested in the rehabilitation of sporting facilities across the state, organisation of the Akwa Ibom Youth Sports Festival, support for school sports, sponsorship of athletes to national and international competitions and provision of incentives and rewards for athletes who win laurels for the state and country.

Governor Eno added that the success of Mary Akpan and the Flamingos has further strengthened his belief that sports remains a powerful tool for youth engagement, job creation, reduction of social vices, promotion of unity and projection of Akwa Ibom State positively on the national and international stage as a destination for sports and tourism.

He therefore called on parents, schools, community leaders and other stakeholders to encourage young girls to participate in sports, assuring that his administration will continue to provide the enabling environment, security and incentives that will allow young talents to grow, thrive and become world champions like Mary Akpan and her teammates.

He also appealed to well-meaning individuals, corporate organisations, oil companies operating in the state and members of the private sector to complement government’s efforts by investing in sports development, adopting young talents, sponsoring competitions and providing modern facilities that will help nurture future world champions.

In his concluding remarks, Governor Eno once again celebrated Mary Dunstan Akpan and the entire Flamingos team, saying they have made Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria proud, have etched their names in the annals of Nigerian football history and deserve to be celebrated and honoured by all well-meaning Nigerians for their patriotism and dedication.

Meanwhile, the news of the Flamingos’ World Cup victory has continued to generate widespread jubilation across Akwa Ibom State, with many football stakeholders, fans and analysts describing Mary’s emergence as a world champion as a well-deserved reward for her hard work and predicting a bright future for her in the senior national team, the Super Falcons.

As the team prepares to return to Nigeria for a grand reception, the people of Akwa Ibom State are already gearing up to organise a special homecoming ceremony for Mary Akpan, Arit Effiong and Charity Godwin, to celebrate their historic feat and to appreciate them for flying the flag of Akwa Ibom and Nigeria high at the global stage in Morocco.