Akwa Ibom designated host of maiden NDDC Sports Festival
The Akwa Ibom State Government has declared its readiness to host and support the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival. This is a major boost for the tournament.
Governor Umo Eno gave the assurance over the weekend in Uyo during a courtesy visit by the management of the NDDC led by the Managing Director Dr. Sam Ogbuku in company of the Executive Director, Sector Directors and the project consultants, Dunamis Icon to brief him on the objectives for initiating the multi-sports competition as well as plans for its success.
And while thanking the NDDC Team for initiating the sports festival and choosing Akwa Ibom State as host of the maiden edition, Governor Umo Eno said the visit by the NDDC shows its seriousness on the project. “Akwa Ibom State government wish to thank NDDC for the privilege to host the event and they cannot reject it as the festival will promote unity among the diverse ethnic groups in Niger Delta and would also impact the local economy through the various commercial activities. He said the government will set-up a committee to work with the organization to deliver the event and look forward to welcoming the Niger Delta region to the state,” he said.
Recall that a Director in NDDC, Mr. Boma Iyaye had earlier hosted a meeting of Commissioners for Sports in the Niger Delta States and muted the idea of the Niger Delta Sports Festival scheduled for April 1st to 8th 2025 in Uyo as the host city in Akwa Ibom to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
This initiative is to foster regional integration, project the identity of the region as leader in Nigerian sports while supporting federating states in discovering and harnessing talents that would enable individuals involved in sports to make a career and attain excellence in local and international competitions.
NDDC as an interventionist agency of the federal government has mediated on multiple sectors in the nine states that make up the Niger Delta. These include among others: roads, bridges, education, health, infrastructure in various sectors and now, sports festival.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)