Akwa Ibom to host maiden NDDC Sports Festival in April
By Bassey Ibiatisuho
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno has accepted the right to host the maiden edition of an annual sports festival initiated by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The Governor stated this while receiving a delegation of top NDDC Management, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who informed the governor of their choice of Akwa Ibom for the sports festival during a courtesy visit at the Government House, Uyo.
Governor Eno, conveyed the gratitude of the government and people of the State for the visit, and particularly for the choice of Akwa Ibom State as venue for the first ever NDDC sports festival and assured to set up a working team to collaborate with the NDDC team towards the success of the grand event, as he expressed acceptance of the hosting right.
Also expressing gratitude for the kind words of the NDDC boss in acknowledgement of the development in the State, Governor Eno extended the tribute to the successive administrations in the state whose efforts, he affirmed, have produced the several developments that have made Akwa Ibom what it is, particularly stressing that even the stadium that has given the state the preference was built by the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when he was governor and has been maintained as a treasure by successive administrations.
He expressed optimism that the April festival, beyond fostering unity and collaboration among the component states of the regional commission, will boost the local economy in Akwa Ibom State and lunch budding talents in the region to limelight.
Addressing the Governor earlier, the NDDC MD/CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the diversity in the region as it’s beauty and said the regional commission a common identity that showcases the beauty in its diversity as well as the shared needs of the people of the area, adding that beyond infrastructure development in the area, the Commission has resolved to further foster unity and promote the abundant sports talents in the area by initiating a regional sport festival.
Speaking further, the NDDC boss explained that the unanimous adoption of Uyo as venue for the event by the board was occasioned by the serenity of the State and availability of requisite infrastructure, especially the Goodwill Akpabio International Stadium to host the 20 sporting events of the festival, adding that the event is scheduled to hold from 1st to 8th April 2025.
