NDDC: Sports Festival Will Curb Crime, Create Opportunities For Youths—The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment through sports, emphasising its role in crime reduction and career development.
This was highlighted during a presentation by the Niger Delta Sports Festival Committee at the NDDC Headquarters, where plans for the maiden edition of the festival were unveiled.
The NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, also the chairman of the Festival Planning Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, welcomed sports commissioners and representatives from the nine Niger Delta states, stressing the festival’s significance in fostering unity and providing career pathways for young athletes.
He said: “We all know the importance of sports in our society. It will curb crime and provide opportunities for our youths to build their careers. This initiative will bring the region together and give talented athletes from the grassroots the platform they deserve,” Iyaye said.
Iyaye announced that the sports festival, which will be held between April 1 and 9, 2025, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo in Akwa Ibom State, was part of the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebrations. “It will serve as a major platform to celebrate the region’s talents in sports, music, comedy, and entertainment,” he assured.
According to the Executive Director, “The festival is designed not just as a competition but as a long-term investment in the future of sports in the Niger Delta. One of its key objectives is establishing an annual sporting event that will ensure continuous talent development. By identifying and nurturing young athletes, the NDDC aims to create opportunities for them to compete at national and international levels, positioning the region in the limelight of Nigerian sports.
The Project Consultant, Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo, noted that the planning process had taken over a year and a half, and the festival’s execution phase was now underway.
The consultant’s director of the organisation, Mr Fred Edoreh, also spoke, emphasising the NDDC’s determination to reach the grassroots by working with state sports commissions and setting up liaison committees.
He noted: “The NDDC is bridging the gap in sports development by ensuring that talent discovery extends beyond city centres to the local communities. We will also provide mentoring, career education, and scouting opportunities for young athletes.”
