The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has assured stakeholders that the Niger Delta Games will be sustained as a platform for discovering and grooming young sporting talents across the region.
The Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Oguku, gave the assurance during the colourful opening ceremony of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.
The Dr Oguku reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continued sponsorship of the sports festival, emphasising that the competition was deliberately designed to promote amateur athletes.
“We discovered that some state governments recruit athletes from other states just to win gold medals,” Ogbuku said. “This competition is aimed at developing our homegrown talents, from here, they can grow into professionals.
“All athletes represent their respective states. Let us use what we have to groom our athletes.”
He stressed that the Games are part of the Commission’s broader sports intervention initiative and appealed to state governments across the Niger Delta, to join hands with the NDDC in sustaining the fiesta.
“At the moment, the NDDC is the sole sponsor. We believe the state governments will support us to ensure these games endure,” he added.
Ogbuku noted that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Tinubu, which he said has created opportunities for youths to thrive in sports and other productive ventures.
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Representing President Tinubu at the event, Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, charged the NDDC to broaden its investment in youth and women empowerment initiatives.
According to the President, sports remain one of the greatest instruments of unity and empowerment known to humanity.
“Niger Delta youths are creative and ready to compete,” he said. “Beyond medals and trophies, these games are about talent discovery.”
“Nigeria must lead. Young talents must see sport as a pathway to career success and global recognition.”
He commended the NDDC for sustaining the initiative and reiterated his administration’s commitment to human capital development alongside infrastructural growth.
In his address, the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, announced a N20 million reward for the overall winning state and N10 million for the runner-up. He described the Games as more than a sporting competition.
“The Niger Delta is not only defined by its natural resources, but by its resilience, talent, and boundless human potential,” the governor stated. “These games symbolise possibilities.”
More than 3,000 athletes drawn from the nine (9) Niger Delta states are participating in the seven-day sports festival, fully sponsored by the NDDC.
As the Games unfold, stakeholders express optimism that the initiative will not only unearth raw talents, but also redefine the Niger Delta as a hub of sporting excellence and youth empowerment in Nigeria.