Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed the state’s preparedness to host the February 2026 edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival, pledging to deliver a world-class sporting event that will unite the region and showcase Edo’s athletic strength.
The governor made the declaration in Benin City on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Responding to the commission’s proposal for Edo to host the festival, Okpebholo expressed confidence in the state’s capacity to stage a memorable event.
“You have chosen the right state. We are not called the Heartbeat of the Nation for nothing. Edo has the strength, the athletes, and the facilities to excel in every sporting activity,” he said.
Beyond sports, Okpebholo appealed to the NDDC for partnership in rehabilitating the Agbor–Uromi Road, which he described as “not motorable.” He emphasized that the road is vital for economic growth and social connectivity, underscoring the need for urgent intervention.
NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, congratulated the governor on his first anniversary in office and commended his administration’s progress in sports and infrastructure development. He explained that the festival, themed “Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents,” is designed to strengthen regional integration through sports.
Ogbuku noted that the maiden edition earlier this year attracted over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states, highlighting the festival’s role as a unifying platform. He stressed the importance of collaboration between the commission and state governments, acknowledging that past tensions had slowed progress.
“NDDC is not just a government body; it is an interventionist agency. For us to succeed, we must work hand in hand with state governors. We are bridging the gaps that hindered cooperation in the past,” Ogbuku said.
He also listed ongoing and completed NDDC projects in Edo, including erosion control measures, ecological interventions, and internal road construction at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and Edo State Polytechnic, Usen.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of the Edo Sports Commission, Desmond Enabulele, praised Governor Okpebholo’s unwavering support for sports development. He noted that Edo’s advanced sporting infrastructure and renewed regional collaboration would ensure the success of the 2026 festival, which is expected to attract athletes from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, and other Niger Delta states.
