By Edidiong STEPHEN
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel, Saturday, visited the players and officials of Akwa United Football Club who have been hospitalized in the aftermath of Friday’s auto accident involving the team.
Along Ezionye Expressway, Friday, a petrol tank truck ran into the Marcopolo conveying players and officials of Akwa United who were on their way to Kaduna to execute an NPFL matchday fifteen fixture.
Although no life was lost in the gory incident a host of players and officials sustained varying degrees of injury and were initially admitted to Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu, before being transferred to Uyo.
On Saturday, at EnwongoAbasi Medical Centre, Uyo, where the injured had been transferred to, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, who represented the Governor, announced a total take-over of all accrued medical bills of all victims of the crash and led a special prayer session for their quick recovery.
“I am here to represent the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr Udom Emmanuel who is on official duty beyond the shores of our state but has sent me to commiserate with you on Friday’s regrettable occurrence”. “He has also directed that all medical bills accrued from the treatment of all of you be totally taken care of and has asked me to personally pray with you and wish you a speedy recovery”. “You can rest assured of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s continued support to you all now and always”, Mr Uko added.
Responding, the Chairman of Akwa United Football Club, Elder Paul Bassey thanked the Governor for his demonstration of love and compassion and promised to reciprocate the Governor’s kind gesture by winning trophies.
Mr Bassey also appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko whom he said “has kept in touch with us every step of the way ever since this incident occurred” and acknowledged the goodwill of others. “Let me also thank my friends, colleagues, well-wishers and all those who have reached out to us, it is our prayer that God blesses them all”, the veteran sports administrator further posited.
Mr Bassey, who is also the Senior Special Assistant on Sports to the Governor, leverage the opportunity and announced that a special thanksgiving service will be held in honour of Akwa United to thank God for sparing their lives during yesterday’s horrific incident, today, Sunday, March 14.
Meanwhile, the League Management Company has rescheduled Akwa United’s away fixture at Jigawa Golden Stars which ought to have taken place today to allow time for the Promise Keepers to recuperate. They are expected back in action next Wednesday when they will play hosts to FC Ifeanyi Ubah at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
