President Bola Tinubu has disclosed that Nigeria’s development can’t be complete without sports which is a platform for discovering talents and a symbol to promote peace and unity.
The president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Industry, John Eno, said there is no sustainable development without peace, unity and sports provides that platform to attain it.
He made the disclosure while delivering his welcome address at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, venue of the second edition of the Niger Delta Games.
He noted that the Niger Delta Games provide opportunities to celebrate our cultural diversity and a medium to celebrate our youths.
Tinubu added that the region will provide an opportunity for discovering young talents that will represent Nigeria in international sporting activities.
Declaring the game open, the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, said the Games represent more than competition, they symbolise possibilities, noting that the games are a powerful statement that the Niger Delta is not only defined by its resources, but also by its resilience, talent, and boundless human potential.
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The governor said through sports discipline is taught, character built, culture, languages and boundaries disappear as the tournament brings team work.
“To our athletes: you are the pride of the Niger Delta. You carry the dreams of millions of young people who look to you for inspiration.
“I urge you to compete with passion and integrity. Let your performance reflect the strength, courage, and determination of our people,” Governor Okpebholo posited.
The Minister for Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, said the gathering is a celebration of youths, talents, discipline and regional integration as Sports remains the strongest platform to foster unity.
He noted that the game is all about building confidence, discipline, positive life style and also to discourage our youths from social vices.
“This is a deliberate investment in the life of youths of the Niger Delta. The region has produced champions for the nation in several international competitions.”
The Director General, National Institute of Sports (NIS) and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, congratulated Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) organizers of the game, noting that the games have created a means of engaging the youths and diversifying the Nation’s economy.
He stressed that the Tinubu administration is transforming all sectors under sports and needs the game to continue to make the nation a hub in Africa.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said the Game which is in the second edition is creating a platform for amateur athletes to become professional and represent the nation in international sporting games.
He said 3,700 athletes and officials are competing for laurels in 16 different sporting activities in this second edition hosted in Benin City, Edo State.
