- The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo (2nd left); the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, (2nd right); the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye (left) and the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa (right), during a courtesy visit to Edo State Government House, Benin
By Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, Dec.02.25
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA — The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has enthusiastically accepted the hosting rights for the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival, praising the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for leveraging sports as a tool for peace, development, and youth engagement across the oil-rich region.
Governor Okpebholo extended the commendation during a courtesy visit by a high-level NDDC delegation to the Government House in Benin City.
The delegation was led by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and included the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, and the Edo State Representative, Hon. Patrick Aisoweiorem.
Focus on Positive Change and Youth Potential
Governor Okpebholo noted a “positive turnaround” in the execution of NDDC projects within Edo State, acknowledging the Commission’s recent achievements.
He stressed that the upcoming Sports Festival is a crucial initiative set to “harness the youth’s potential, promote unity and community development” across the nine-state region.
“This praiseworthy initiative would foster youth development, promote peace, and contribute to economic growth,” the Governor stated, highlighting the event’s ability to bring young talents together.
In his remarks, Dr. Ogbuku affirmed the NDDC’s commitment to engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the region’s development.
He made a strong appeal to state governors in the Niger Delta to increase their collaboration with the NDDC to promote economic and sustainable development.
Ogbuku underscored the importance of such stakeholder engagements as a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He emphasized that events like the sports festival transcend mere competition, serving instead as platforms for unity, development, and the discovery of homegrown talents.
“We are all united by a common problem, such as environmental challenges. We should leverage on sports as a uniting factor,” Ogbuku said, suggesting that a shared focus on athletics could help bridge traditional regional divides.
The NDDC boss also pointed to successful past partnerships, citing the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, which was executed in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), as a model for regional achievement.
He also provided an update on recent infrastructure efforts in Edo State, noting the completion of the emergency reconstruction of the Irrua-Ewu-Agbede Road and the ongoing Irrua-Aviele project, which will link up with a major Federal Ministry of Works road. Dr. Ogbuku acknowledged the contributions of the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, describing him as an “excellent motivator.”
Mr. Desmond Enabulele, the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, affirmed the state’s readiness, describing Edo as peaceful and culturally rich, and thanking the Governor for his robust support for sports development
