… As Men’s Football Opens With Two Draws
By Edward Oseghe
BENIN CITY — Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has urged athletes to embrace teamwork, excellence and the pursuit of greatness as he formally declared open the second Niger Delta Games at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Speaking during the colourful opening ceremony on Friday, the governor described the Games as a strong symbol of the Niger Delta’s resilience, talent and vast human potential, stressing that sports remains a powerful vehicle for youth development and regional unity.
“Through sports, discipline is taught, character is built, and barriers across language and culture disappear.
“In this tournament, there is no division — only teamwork, excellence and the pursuit of greatness,” Okpebholo said.
He charged participants to compete with passion and integrity, noting that they carry the aspirations of millions of young people across the region.
Okpebholo commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for sustaining the initiative, describing the Games as a strategic platform for youth empowerment, regional integration and peacebuilding.
Reaffirming Edo State’s commitment to youth-focused development under the SHINE Agenda, the governor said the decision to host the Games aligns with deliberate efforts to channel youthful energy into productive ventures.
“When we were approached by the NDDC to host the second edition, we embraced it with the promise that Edo will deliver the best experience for Niger Delta youths,” he assured, pledging a safe and hospitable environment throughout the competition.
Earlier, President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to sports development as a key pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu commended the organisers for creating a platform for young athletes to excel, noting that the Games symbolise the Niger Delta’s transition from a region once associated with unrest to one advancing in peace, security and sustainable development.
Also speaking, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, described sports as a veritable tool for fostering regional integration, healthy rivalry and national cohesion.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogboku, said the competition is designed to discover and nurture amateur athletes in the region to stardom.
In his remarks, Chairman of Dunamis-Icon Limited, initiators of the Games, Sir Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, reiterated that the competition prioritises integrity in sports by tackling age falsification, doping and athlete poaching.
“The message of these Games is simple: take young people off the streets, stop cheating in our sports, stop drug abuse and end age falsification,” Ikpokpo said, adding that Nigeria possesses abundant grassroots talent that should be developed within local communities.
The opening ceremony featured vibrant cultural displays showcasing the rich Bini and Niger Delta heritage, alongside musical performances that thrilled hundreds of spectators at the stadium.
More than 3,000 athletes and officials from nine Niger Delta states are competing in 16 sporting events at the Games.
Meanwhile, the men’s football event kicked off the same day with two closely fought matches ending in draws.
Delta and Akwa Ibom settled for a 1–1 stalemate in a physical, tightly contested opener.
In the second fixture, Bayelsa and Imo shared the spoils in an entertaining 2–2 draw. Imo took the lead in the 41st minute through Ifeanyi Nnorom, but Priye Ibomoh levelled for Bayelsa in the 60th minute. Victor Williams then put Bayelsa ahead in the 67th minute before Chigozirim Anamelechi struck in the 76th minute to secure a point for Imo.
The results leave all four teams with a point each after an exciting opening day.
Action resumes today (Saturday) with host Edo facing Ondo in the first match, while Imo will take on Cross River in the day’s closing fixture.
