The second Niger Delta Games ongoing on Friday night with a colourful opening ceremony at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
President Bola Tinubu declared the games open and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the advancement of sports as a cardinal pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Also,he highlight the germane contributions of the Niger Delta to the development of the nation, the president commended the organisers, for initiating the competition which according to him would provide a platform for young athletes to excel.
Senator John Owan-Enoh,Represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment he emphasized that the Games symbolized the transition of the Niger Delta from a region once characterized by unrest to an area of peace, security, and sustainable development.
In his remark, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh said sports provides a veritable platform for fostering regional integration, healthy competition, and national cohesion.
On his part, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogboku, pointed out that the competition targets amateur athletes in the region to nurture them to prominence.
Therefore, Governor Monday Okpebholo commended the NDDC’s vision for using sport as a means of youth empowerment, regional integration, and sustainable peace in the region.
The opening ceremony was spiced by fireworks, a calisthenics display, and performances showcasing the rich Bini and Niger Delta culture just as the police band was also on hand to entertain the audience.
Veritas Nexus Report , garnered that over three thousand athletes and officials from nine states of the Niger Delta Region are taking part in sixteen sporting events at the fiesta.
In conclusion, the Day One of the competition, which featured football, Bayelsa and Imo played a 2-2 draw, while hosts Edo thrashed Akwa Ibom 6-0 as Akwa Ibom and Delta settled for a 1-1 draw in men’s football.
