The 2025 Edition of the Conferment of Service Awards by the Akwa Ibom Icon Awards (AKIA) was yesterday held at the exquisite Mandela Hall, Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo.

The event ushered a number of illustrious Akwa Ibom sons and daughters into the prestigious Akwa Ibom Hall of Fame, including Hon. Glory Ekah Effiong, the Executive Chairman of Ibeno Local Government Area, who won the Best Performing Local Government Chairman Award.

The ceremony featured an emotional tribute by the founder, Her Excellency, Deaconess Mosunsola Idongesit Nkanga, wife of the indigenous Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the late Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, who received a posthumous award in his honor.

The event had DIG Udom Ekpo Udom (Rtd), who served as the Special Guest of Honour, received the Akwa Ibom Lifetime Achievement Award.

Other awardees included the recipient of the Akwa Ibom Most Resourceful Youth of the Year, a prosthetic sculptor, Mr. John Amanam, who, on account of his innovation, has received several international recognitions, including honors from the Government of the United States.

Also on the list was Engr. Uwem Okoko, who, on behalf of Hensek Integrated Services, received the Business Leadership Award of the Year, while the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, led by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. EmemAbasi Bassey, received the Best Performing Federal Government Agency in Akwa Ibom State.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included Hon. Otobong Aaron, the Executive Chairman of Nsit Ibom Local Government Area; her Ikono counterpart, Hon. Otobong Essien; Dr. Emmanuel Agwu, Chief Commercial Officer, Champion Breweries; and Mr. Usen Effiong, Executive Director, Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation and Mrs Comfort Bob.

The exquisite Mandela Hall and the state-of-the-art multimedia equipments at Watbridge Hotels and Suites, Uyo, pro