A’Ibom To Host Maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival
... As Gov. Eno Assures Quality Hosting
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, and its management that the State is willing and ready to ensure quality hosting of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Addressing a delegation of the commission led by Ogbuku in Government House, Uyo, the Governor noted that sports remains a veritable source of strengthening the existing bonds amongst Niger Delta States and its people.
Governor Eno conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the State for the visit, and particularly for choice of Akwa Ibom State as venue for the first ever Niger Delta Sports Festival.
He assured the delegation that the State will set up a working team to drive the process with the NDDC team towards ensuring a grand event.
The Governor appreciated the NDDC boss for acknowledging the development strides of the State Government, and attributed it to efforts of successive leaders of the state.
He expressed optimism that the Sports festival, beyond fostering unity and collaboration among the component states of the region, will launch budding talents in the region to limelight and boost the local economy in the State.
Addressing the Governor earlier, Ogbuku described the diversity in the region as it’s beauty and said the regional commission is a common identity that showcases the beauty in its diversity as well as the shared needs of the people of the area.
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He said that beyond infrastructure development in the area, the Commission has resolved to further foster unity and promote the abundant sports talents in the area by initiating a regional sport festival.
The NDDC boss explained that the unanimous adoption of Uyo as venue for the event by the board was occasioned by the serenity of the State and availability of requisite infrastructure, especially the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium, adding that the event is scheduled to hold from 1st to 8th April 2025, to commemorate the Commission’s 25th anniversary.
“It is not only because Akwa Ibom is the Promise Land, but Akwa Ibom has also been able to provide the right facilities to accommodate the 20 sporting events that we’re putting together for the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
“So the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium is the venue for this sports festival. So Your Excellency, we are here to let you know that we the Board, Management and staff of the NDDC came together to say, we are giving the hosting right of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival to Akwa Ibom State,” Ogbuku stated.
Athletes, sports lovers and stakeholders across the nine states of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region are expected to converge on Uyo, for the one week the festival will hold, to share brotherhood and showcase talents.
