The Edo State Government of Nigeria has affirmed its readiness to host the 2026 edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Governor Monday Okpebholo said this when the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) paid a courtesy visit in Benin, the State Capital. He assured the commission that the state would deliver “a successful and memorable festival.”
Okpebholo said the event would harness the youth’s potential in the Niger Delta region. He commended the NDDC for initiating the sports festival, which he said had provided a platform to bring young sports talents from the region together.
“This praiseworthy initiative would foster youth development, promote peace, and contribute to economic growth,” Okpebholo said.
In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, affirmed that the Commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the development of the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku urged state governors in the Niger Delta region to increase their collaboration with the NDDC to promote economic and sustainable development in the oil-rich region.
The NDDC boss restated the importance of stakeholder engagements, which he noted was a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that events like sports festivals are about unity, development and the discovery of homegrown talents.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, thanked the governor for his massive support for sports development in the state.
Also in attendance at the courtesy visit to the Government House in Benin City were NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Edo State Representative on the Board of the Commission, Patrick Aisoweiorem and other Directors.