Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for granting Edo State the hosting rights for the 2026 Niger Delta Sports Festival.
The governor gave the commendation when the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, led a delegation—including the Commission’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Edo State Representative on the NDDC Board, Hon. Patrick Aisoweiorem; and other officials—on a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin City.
Senator Okpebholo praised the NDDC for what he described as a positive turnaround in its project execution across Edo State. He noted that the Niger Delta Sports Festival would help harness the potential of young people, foster unity and cooperation, and drive community development within the region.
According to him, the initiative provides an important platform for discovering young talents while promoting peace, youth development, and economic growth. “This praiseworthy initiative will foster youth development, promote peace, and contribute to economic growth,” he said.
Speaking earlier, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to engaging stakeholders to advance development in the Niger Delta. He called on state governors across the region to deepen collaboration with the NDDC to improve economic opportunities and ensure sustainable development.
Ogbuku emphasized that stakeholder engagement is a key pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He added that initiatives like the sports festival go beyond competition, serving as tools for unity, development, and the discovery of homegrown talent.
“We are all united by common challenges, particularly environmental issues. We should leverage sports as a uniting factor,” he said.
Highlighting the impact of previous partnerships, Ogbuku referenced the successful construction of the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia–Nembe Road in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). He also noted the recent completion of the emergency reconstruction of the Irrua–Ewu–Agbede Road in Uhunmwonde/Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He added that the ongoing Irrua–Aviele project would connect with the Benin–Irrua road project being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works. Ogbuku also acknowledged the support of the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, whom he described as a strong motivator behind many of the NDDC’s recent achievements.
The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Mr. Desmond Enabulele, also spoke during the visit, describing Edo State as peaceful and culturally rich. He thanked Governor Okpebholo for his sustained support for sports development across the state.
