Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the management of the commission chose Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, as the venue of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival due to the unique environment the state offers and its requisite sports facilities.
The managing director stated this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit on Governor Umo Eno at the Government House, Uyo, on Friday.
Ogbuku said that the sports event is scheduled to be held from April 1 – 8 to commemorate the commission’s 25th anniversary.
“It is not only because Akwa Ibom is the Promised 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 Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium is the venue for this sports festival.
“So, 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,” he told the governor.
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Ogbuku said that athletes, sports lovers, and stakeholders across the nine states of the region, were expected to converge in Uyo for the one-week festival.
He said that beyond infrastructural development of the Niger Delta, the commission has resolved to further foster unity and promote the abundant sports talents in the region by initiating a regional sports festival.
Responding, Governor Umo Eno, expressed the willingness of the state to ensure quality hosting of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival.
The governor noted that sports remain a veritable source of strengthening the existing bonds, amongst Niger Delta states and its people.
He conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the state for the visit, and particularly for the choice of Akwa Ibom as venue for the first-ever Niger Delta Sports Festival.
Gov. Eno said the state government will set up a working team to drive the process in conjunction with the NDDC team toward ensuring a successful festival.
He expressed optimism that the sports festival, beyond fostering unity and collaboration, amongst the component states of the region, will launch talents in the region to limelight and boost the local economy.
