The Akwa Ibom State (Football) Referees Association on Friday, March 24, 2023, elected a new Executive Committee to pilot the Council’s affairs until 2027.
The election took place at the Oron All Stars Club House in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The election was preceded by a quadrennial delegates conference to mark the end of the outgoing administration.
After exhausting the items for deliberation, Chairman of Itu Referees Society, Comrade Omon Bassey moved a motion for dissolution of the executive council and was seconded by Mr. Effiong Udo, Chairman Ikot Ekpene Referees Society.
Following the dissolution of the Executive Committee, the Nigerian Referees Association (NRA) designated Electoral Officer, Engineer Emmanuel Effiong from Cross River State, took over proceedings and set machinery in motion for the election of new Council Executives.
A seamless, transparent and hitch free election was conducted in the presence of the Acting Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr. Samuel Umoh and the Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan, who attended the event as observers.
After the collation and counting of votes, the following persons were announced winners and were immediately sworn-in for a 4-year term.
They are:
– (Hon) Elder Joseph Bassey – Chairman
– Dr Jeremiah Iweh – Deputy Chairman
– Pst. Emmanuel Ebong – Vice Chairman 1
– Mr. Fabian Ukpong – Vice Chairman 2
– Dr. Raphael Inyang – General Secretary
– Emmanuel Cosmas – Assistant Secretary
– Mr. James James – Financial Secretary
– Mfon Akpan (FIFA) – Training Officer
– Mr. Mfon Nema – Assistant Training Officer
– Mr. Stephen Stephen – Treasurer
– Nsikakabasi Akpan – Public Relations Officer
– Mr. Patrick Odiong – Welfare Officer
In his acceptance speech, the Council Chairman, Elder Joseph Bassey, thanked the delegates for the confidence reposed in him and his executives. The Chairman who is returning for a second term promised to build on the achievements from his first term in office.
In the euphoria of that happy hour, Elder Joseph Bassey announced appointments into two key positions in the Council.
Elder Okon Ekanem was named the Chairman of the Elders Council while Comrade Omon Bassey, Chairman of Itu Referees Society was appointed Chairman of Chairmen.
A Goodwill message was received from the Acting Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association Mr. Samuel Umoh.
The Sports administrator commended the Referees Council for the decorum exhibited during the electoral process. Umoh charged the Referees Council to maintain its support and cooperation with the Football Association promising that plans are underway to get foreign experts to deliver refresher courses for Football Referees in the state.
The gathering was honoured with the presence of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey, National Chairman of the Grassroots Sports Federation of Nigeria, Hon. John Ekpenyong, Executives and members of the Oron All Stars Club and a host of other dignitaries who observed with keen interest the successful conduct of the 2023 Akwa Ibom State Referees Council Quadrennial delegates conference and elections.
