As preparations intensify for the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Akwa Ibom State, the Acting Governor of Cross River, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to sporting excellence. He made this pledge on Monday, March 31, 2025, while receiving the ceremonial torch for the games at a grand event held at the Glass House, his temporary office in Calabar.
The torch-handing ceremony, conducted by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Sports Festival Committee, attracted top government dignitaries, including the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Sports, and key stakeholders from the NDDC. The occasion marked a symbolic moment in the state’s preparations for the festival, which aims to harness the athletic potential of youths across the Niger Delta.
Commending the NDDC for its foresight in organising the regional sporting festival, Acting Governor Odey described the initiative as a crucial step toward youth engagement and talent development. “The Niger Delta Sports Festival is a laudable initiative that will not only engage our youths but also provide a platform to groom future champions. We appreciate the NDDC for this effort and assure Team Cross River of our full support as they compete,” he stated.
The torch presentation, led by the chairperson of the local organising committee, Hon. Agnes Atsu, officially signalled the departure of Team Cross River to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where they will participate in the festival throughout April. Addressing the athletes, Odey encouraged them to seize the opportunity to showcase their prowess and bring glory to the state.
Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the NDDC Commissioner representing Cross River, also lauded the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for his unwavering commitment to youth development. “Dr. Ogbuku and the current NDDC management have introduced several transformative initiatives, including the Sports Festival and the Youth Internship Scheme, all designed to empower young people in the region,” Duke remarked. He further expressed gratitude to the Cross River State Government for consistently supporting programmes that uplift the state’s youth.
As anticipation builds for the festival, sports stakeholders have expressed confidence in Cross River’s ability to make a strong impact. Widely acknowledged as the cradle of sporting excellence in Nigeria, the state is fielding a formidable contingent determined not just to participate but to dominate the competition. Athletes from Cross River, renowned for their impressive performances in national and international events, are set to reinforce the state’s legacy in the sporting arena.
With the symbolic reception of the tournament torch, Cross River has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development and the continuous nurturing of talents that will bring honour to the state and the nation.
