RismadarVoice Reporters
February 9, 2026
The Patience Umo Eno Golden Initiative for All (GIFA) has kicked off activities marking its second anniversary with a novelty football match between the Commissioners and Special Advisers’ Wives Association (COSAWA) and the Association of Local Governments Vice Chairmen (ALGOVC) in Akwa Ibom State.
The friendly match, held on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium, formed part of the build-up to GIFA’s second anniversary celebration scheduled for February 20, 2026.
Speaking at the event, the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, and Chairman, Board of Trustees of GIFA, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, said the match was organised to promote unity, wellness and camaraderie among stakeholders and partners of the initiative.
She described the encounter as a purely friendly one aimed at relaxation and fun, commending both teams for their sportsmanship and commitment.
“I have had fun because that was the goal of this match. It was a friendly match just to come out, relax, have fun and enjoy this Sunday afternoon,” she said.
Lady Obareki thanked COSAWA and ALGOVC for honouring GIFA’s invitation and dedicating time to training, noting that their participation contributed to the success of the event.
Congratulating COSAWA on their 1–0 victory over ALGOVC, she stressed that the objective of fostering goodwill and easing tension had been achieved, adding that the friendly match tradition, which began during GIFA’s first anniversary, would remain an annual feature of the organisation’s celebrations.
She also appreciated partners, friends and sponsors who turned out to support the event, announcing that prizes for both teams would be presented during the official anniversary ceremony scheduled to hold on February 20, 2026, at Ibom Hall at 10:00a.m.
