Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to successfully hosting the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, promising a well-organized and impactful event.
Governor Eno made this known on Friday when a delegation from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, paid him a courtesy visit in Uyo.
He emphasized that sports serve as a powerful tool for fostering unity among the Niger Delta states and strengthening regional ties. He also expressed gratitude to the NDDC for selecting Akwa Ibom as the venue for the first-ever edition of the festival.
“We appreciate the NDDC for choosing Akwa Ibom as the host state. We will set up a working team to collaborate with the commission to ensure a successful festival,” Eno assured.
Beyond its unifying impact, the governor noted that the festival would provide a platform to showcase and nurture sports talents across the region while also boosting the local economy.
A Festival to Promote Unity and Talent
Earlier, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Ogbuku, highlighted the festival as an initiative aimed at fostering regional unity while harnessing the sports potential of the Niger Delta.
“The NDDC is more than just about infrastructure development. We recognize the need to unite our people and celebrate the abundant sporting talents in the region. This sports festival is a platform to achieve that,” Ogbuku stated.
He explained that Akwa Ibom was unanimously chosen by the NDDC board due to its serene environment and well-developed sporting infrastructure, particularly the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium, which will serve as the main venue.
The event, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 8, will commemorate the NDDC’s 25th anniversary and feature 20 sporting events. Athletes, sports enthusiasts, and stakeholders from all nine Niger Delta states are expected to participate in the one-week festival.
“It is not only because Akwa Ibom is the Promise Land, but the state has also provided the right facilities to accommodate the sports events we are organizing,” Ogbuku added.
With preparations underway, Akwa Ibom looks set to deliver a landmark sporting event that will celebrate talent, unity, and regional progress.
NAN
