Tuesday February 10, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
The Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has received the Torch of Unity for the Second edition of the Niger Delta Games, tagged “Edo 2026,” and reaffirmed his commitment to sports development and youth empowerment.
Receiving the torch on Tuesday February 10, 2026, at Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, the Governor described sports as one of the core areas of his administration’s ARISE Agenda, adding that the Niger Delta Games aligns directly with the State’s development blueprint.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ubong Umoh, the Governor recalled that at the inception of his administration, a stand alone Ministry of Sports was created, with the appointment of Elder Paul Bassey as pioneer Commissioner, a move that underscores the importance of sports in his administration.
According to him, the administration has recorded consistent success stories in the sports sector, driven by deliberate investments and policy direction.
He disclosed that the State has invested in the procurement of modern sports equipment, noting that the initiative has exposed Akwa Ibom athletes to world-class training and improved their competitiveness at both national and international levels.
Highlighting Akwa Ibom’s growing reputation in sports tourism, the Governor recalled the successful hosting of the inaugural Niger Delta Games, Super Eagles World Cup and AFCON qualifiers, MTN Nigeria Schools Championships, and the 31st Chief Justice of Nigeria Judiciary Games, among others.
Speaking further, Governor Eno noted that the State has continued to serve as a hub for sports tourism and youth development, assuring that his administration would sustain the implementation of talent-hunt policies and programmes designed to discover, nurture and provide platforms for young talents to excel.
While explaining that the reception symbolizes the State’s preparedness for participation in the Second Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold in Edo State, the Governor called on other States in the region to support the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis-Icon Limited in advancing the ideals and objectives of the Games.
He also applauded members of the Akwa Ibom State Liaison Committee, led by the Commissioner for Sports, for effective pre-games planning and organisation, and thanked sports stakeholders for their support.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described the torch reception as a significant moment for Akwa Ibom State and the Niger Delta region, noting that beyond oil, sports remain a veritable tool for driving collective progress and development.
He further explained that the Torch of Unity symbolises peace, strength and solidarity, and marks the formal commencement of the games as it tours the nine Niger Delta States ahead of the competition scheduled to hold from February 20 to 27, 2026, in Edo State.
Elder Bassey observed that despite being only one year old, the Niger Delta Games have already placed the region in a dominant position in Nigeria’s sports sector, serving as a catalyst for youth engagement, talent identification, national cohesion and economic growth.
Also speaking, the Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters, expressed delight at the unity and team spirit displayed by Team Akwa Ibom and urged athletes and officials to approach the games with renewed strategy and determination and return victorious.
On his part, the Managing Consultant of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Chief Ikpokpo Itioko, described Akwa Ibom State as a key part of the history of the Niger Delta Games, and hinted that the State was the first to host the competition and expressed appreciation to Governor Eno.
Chief Itioko also gave the assurance that Akwa Ibom will have a rewarding experience as the competition moves to Edo State.
The event was also attended by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerete Ekanem, Permanent Secretary and Directors in the Ministry of Sport and other sports stakeholders, athletes, representatives of NDDC and organisers of the games.
