UYO
The state governor has assured the managing director and chief executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, and the 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 from the commission, led by Ogbuku at Government House, Uyo, the governor noted that sports remains a veritable source of strengthening the existing bonds among the 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 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.
Eno appreciated the NDDC boss for acknowledging the development strides of the State Government, attribute 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 its beauty, saying 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 region.
He said that beyond infrastructure development, the Commission has resolved to further foster unity and promote the abundant sports talents in the zone by initiating a regional sports 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 Godswill 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 are putting together for the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
“So the Godswill 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 period of one week that the festival will hold, to share brotherhood and showcase talents.
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