The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has commended the vision and organisation behind the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, which officially opened on Friday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
The opening ceremony marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s grassroots sports development journey, with a clear focus on integrity, fair competition, youth inclusion, and sustainable talent discovery across the Niger Delta region.
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Hon. Adeboye, who attended the ceremony, described the Games as a strong statement of intent in the ongoing effort to reform Nigerian sports from the foundation, stressing that grassroots competitions must be built on discipline, transparency, and equal opportunity.
According to the SSA, platforms such as the Niger Delta Games are critical in redirecting young people away from social vices while promoting values such as teamwork, discipline, and national unity through sports.
The Games, initiated by Dunamis-Icon Limited and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have drawn athletes from nine states of the Niger Delta, many of whom are experiencing inter-state competition and exposure for the first time.
The SSA praised the NDDC for sustaining its support for the Games, noting that consistent investment in youth-focused sports programmes remains one of the most effective tools for long-term regional stability and national development.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, while welcoming participants and officials, expressed the state’s delight at hosting the second edition of the Games. He assured all contingents of maximum hospitality and encouraged athletes to compete with fairness and respect for the rules.
The opening ceremony was declared open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports, in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Colourful cultural displays, parade of participating states, and musical performances thrilled spectators at the stadium, while former Super Eagles star Victor Ikpeba performed the symbolic lighting of the Games Torch, officially ushering in days of intense multi-sport competition.
With athletes from across the Niger Delta states competing in multiple sports, Edo 2026 is expected to serve not only as a talent discovery platform but also as a celebration of culture, resilience, and regional pride.
As the Games progress, the SSA is scheduled to continue engagements with athletes, officials, and organisers, reinforcing the Federal Government’s resolve to build Nigerian sports from the grassroots to the global stage.
Hon. Adeboye concluded by reaffirming that the Federal Government, through his office, will continue to support credible grassroots sports initiatives that prioritise integrity, talent development, and national cohesion.
