A football talent hunt aimed at identifying promising players for future competitions has become a key focus of the Patience Umo Eno Memorial Football Tournament, established in honour of the late First Lady of Akwa Ibom State.

The second edition of the competition, sponsored by Governor’s aide Victor Etangkanga Victor, ended at Afaha Ekpenedi, Esit Eket, with Ward 3 defeating Ward 1 by a lone goal to lift the trophy.

Etangkanga, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support Groups, said the tournament was designed to preserve the memory of Pastor Patience Umo Eno while providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and earn selection for competitions within Akwa Ibom and beyond.

Wisdom Wilson, who emerged as the tournament’s highest scorer, netted the decisive goal in the first half of the final. Ward 1’s efforts to equalise after the break proved unsuccessful.

Ward 3 received the ₦1 million first prize, while runners-up Ward 1 went home with ₦700,000. Ward 10, which finished third, received ₦500,000.

At the final, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), commended the sponsor for using football to promote youth unity and sustain the late First Lady’s legacy.

Obareki, represented by Dr Idara Akpan, President of the Eket Senatorial District Women’s Forum, said the tournament reflected her mother’s commitment to peace, service and community development.

The event drew sports administrators and government representatives, including Commissioner for Sports Development Elder Paul Bassey and Akwa Ibom State Football Association Chairman Samuel Umoh.

The organisers’ stated ambition is for the tournament to go beyond an annual memorial event by creating a pathway for talented young players to gain recognition and represent Esit Eket in higher-level competitions