President Bola Tinubu has described sports as a powerful tool for youth development and the economic growth of a nation.
Tinubu said this while declaring open the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo on Wednesday.
The Sports festival is organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission in commemoration of its 25 anniversary.
The President, represented by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the NDDC has reinforced its commitment to harnessing sports as a vehicle for empowerment and sustainable development.
“I commend the NDDC for their foresight in supporting this event.
“Sports are not just about competition; they are powerful tools for youth development, community engagement, and economic growth.
“By investing in an event of this magnitude, NDDC has reinforced its commitment to harness sports as a vehicle for empowerment, sustainable development, and indeed deepening security within the region,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu, who commended the interventionist agency, said the development aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms for the sports sector.
The President applauded the Akwa Ibom Government for hosting the festival, saying the state has proven itself as a sports destination for international competition, especially football.
In his remarks, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, said that the region was not only vested with natural resources but human potential for the development of the nation.
Momoh said that the festival has proven that the NDDC is not just known for infrastructure development alone but also in sports.
In a goodwill message, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom urged the athletes to be disciplined and exhibit a spirit of sportsmanship throughout the festival.
Eno tasked Akwa Ibom contingents to showcase their talents and win medals for the state, saying that the state did not just host the festival, but hosting to win.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Alabo Iyaye, said the intervention in sports by NDDC was drawn from the fact that sports transform human lives, society, and the economy.
