NDDC inaugurates committee, assures of hitch-free Sports Festival

Admin I Saturday, February 22, 2025

 

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has stated its commitment to organise a hitch-free Sports Festival, highlighting the importance of its success to the region and country at large.

The NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, who serves as the Chairman of the Planning Committee, gave the assurance during the inauguration of the Planning Committee of the Niger Delta Sports Festival at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He emphasised the importance of a steering committee in ensuring the festival’s success. It is slated to be held from April 1st to April 9th, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

He noted that the Niger Delta region had historically produced many outstanding individuals who brought pride to the area. “You have been carefully selected because of your expertise and knowledge in sports development and the organisation of large competitions.

“This committee is responsible for planning and executing a successful event. The Niger Delta region has produced numerous athletes who have made our country proud, but there has been a gap in the development of such talents for some time. The NDDC aims to fill this void,” he stated.

Charging the Committee Members, Iyaye noted, “As part of the 25 years anniversary celebrations, we decided to sponsor the first of its kind Sports Festival in the Niger Delta.

“The success of this Festival depends on the involvement and expertise of the Planning Committee. You have been carefully selected as a result of your wealth of experience. We must ensure that this culminates in a successful Festival as its success solely depends on us and our determination to put in the necessary effort.”

The Project Consultant, Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo, who also serves as the Co-Chairman of the Planning Committee, noted that the world of sports was elated with this flagship sports programme of the NDDC. He stated, “Other regions will soon follow suit and ask for a template as the NDDC sets the pace.”

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali, who spoke on behalf of the nine sports commissioners from the NDDC’s mandate states, expressed gratitude to the commission for organising the inaugural sports festival in the region.

“We commend the NDDC for this noble initiative. In the history of sports in Nigeria, we have never had a regional sports festival like this, which will elevate sports to an unprecedented level and provide an opportunity to develop our youth and reduce criminal activities in the region,” he remarked.