Gov. Bassey Otu Inaugurates Pelican Stars FC Committee, Tasks Members on Club Revival

PRESS RELEASE

Calabar, Cross River State | January 26, 2026

The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has inaugurated a new management committee for Pelican Stars Football Club, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring the pride and competitive strength of the state-owned women’s football team.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the VIP Lounge of the Stadium Swimming Pool Complex, Calabar. The Governor was represented by the Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Commission, Hon. Etta Lawrence.

The newly inaugurated committee is chaired by Mrs. Sofia Francis Aribiah, with Mr. Johnson Eko as Vice Chairman. Other members include Mr. Tom Aniah (Team Manager), Edem Umo Ephraim (Sporting Director), Hodo Williams (Welfare Officer), Hon. Patrick Ifere, Mr. Ani Oku Ita, Tom Melody Bassey, Eyo Eyo Yellowduke, while Vivien Cocoma Inyang serves as Secretary.

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Hon. Etta Lawrence stated that the committee members were carefully selected based on their capacity, competence, and wealth of experience, noting that the appointments align with the government’s vision to reposition Pelican Stars FC as a dominant force in Nigerian women’s football.

The Governor charged the committee to work diligently to restore the lost glory of Pelican Stars FC, a club that once produced players for Nigeria’s national teams but has witnessed a decline in recent years. He emphasized professionalism, discipline, and strategic planning as key elements required to successfully revamp the club.

In her acceptance remarks, Mrs. Sofia Francis Aribiah expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency, Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and Her Excellency, Bishop Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, for the confidence reposed in her and the committee. She assured stakeholders of the committee’s commitment to transparency, teamwork, and sustainable development aimed at returning Pelican Stars FC to its rightful place among Nigeria’s elite women’s football clubs.

The event was attended by Hon. Sunny Ebem, Commissioner 2 at the sports commission, Mr Rosemary Usang, the Director of Sports, the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Sports Commission, and other key stakeholders in the sports sector.

Signed:
Cross River State Sports Commission
Calabar