The award was presented at Community Secondary Commercial School, Ibiaku Itam, located in Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Officials from the Commission travelled from Abuja to celebrate the young athlete’s growing achievements in athletics.
Jacinta, a Senior Secondary School 2 student, has already made a strong mark on the African athletics scene. She first drew national recognition after securing a silver medal in the girls’ 400 metres at the inaugural African School Games held in Algeria. She later improved on that performance by winning gold in the same event at the African Youth Games in Angola.
Beyond her individual success, Jacinta also contributed to Nigeria’s qualification for the World Athletics Relays, further strengthening her reputation as one of the country’s most promising young track athletes.
Speaking during the presentation, the Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade, explained that the Commission’s Appreciation Tour was created to acknowledge exceptional performances and encourage upcoming athletes across the country.
According to him, recognising talents like Jacinta demonstrates that dedication and discipline in sports will always be rewarded.
“Jacinta represents the future of Nigerian athletics. For a student still in secondary school to achieve such results at the continental level highlights the enormous potential within our youth,” he said.
The Commissioner for Sports in Akwa Ibom State, Paul Bassey, who was represented at the event by Catherine Ekuta, commended the initiative. He noted that the reward aligns with the state government’s ongoing commitment to sports development under Governor Umo Eno.
He added that the state has also rewarded medal winners from the National Youth Games and the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival 2025, with Jacinta among the beneficiaries.
Visibly moved by the recognition, Jacinta thanked the Commission for the honour, describing it as a motivation to continue working hard.
“I appreciate the National Sports Commission for recognising my efforts. This encouragement will push me to train harder and represent Nigeria proudly,” she said.
She also acknowledged the support of the Akwa Ibom State government, noting that the state recently improved its performance at the Niger Delta Games, finishing fourth with 55 medals, an improvement from its sixth-place finish in the previous edition.
The NSC Appreciation Tour forms part of the Commission’s wider strategy to celebrate excellence, develop emerging talents, and strengthen grassroots sports across Nigeria, while highlighting athletes like Jacinta who are shaping the future of the nation’s athletics.