NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko To Inaugurate Sports Festival As Commission Endorses Initiative: Niger Delta

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko to inaugurate sports festival as commission endorses initiative. The National Sports Commission (NSC) has pledged full support for the upcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF), recognizing it as a crucial platform for discovering and nurturing emerging sporting talent in the region.

Dikko who is set to officially declare the festival open, reaffirms the Commission’s dedication to grassroots sports development across Nigeria. The event, scheduled from April 1 to 8 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, will bring together athletes from across the Niger Delta to compete in various sporting disciplines.

Speaking ahead of the festival, NSC Director General Bukola Olopade commended the initiative and encouraged other states to adopt similar programs to enhance Nigeria’s talent pipeline.

NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko

“The Niger Delta Sports Festival represents a vital platform for discovering and nurturing raw talent,” Olopade stated. “We encourage more states to implement similar initiatives to strengthen Nigeria’s sporting future.”

In a significant boost for the festival, organizers announced PremiumTrust Bank as the official financial partner of the event.

The NDSF aims to showcase young athletes, foster regional unity, and promote youth engagement in sports, solidifying its role as a key contributor to Nigeria’s sports development landscape.

Ogoni: HYPREP Restores Different Species Of Mangroves

HYPREP restores different species of mangroves. Mr Zabbey also discussed the project’s ongoing support for education and public health in Ogoni.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has successfully restored three species of mangroves in Ogoni, according to Nenibarini Zabbey, the project coordinator.

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, Mr Zabbey highlighted that for the first time, HYPREP was restoring not only the red mangrove but also the white and black species.

He emphasised that the mangrove restoration project was ecologically sound and part of a broader environmental effort that included shoreline cleanup, soil and groundwater remediation, and mangrove restoration.

Mr Zabbey also discussed the project’s ongoing support for education and public health in Ogoni.

In 2024, HYPREP provided educational grants to 250 Ogoni undergraduates, some from the University of Port Harcourt.

Additionally, in 2025, 300 Ogoni postgraduate students received scholarships, including 100 postgraduate and 200 masters students.

The project is also constructing a Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration and strengthening public health infrastructure, with plans to enhance four hospitals, including the Corner Cottage and Ogoni Specialist Hospitals.

Mr Zabbey noted that due to hydrocarbon pollution, Ogoni residents faced risks of cancer and related diseases, making health monitoring essential.

Ogoni: HYPREP

He also mentioned that 30 Ogoni communities had access to potable water, with plans to extend this to 60 more communities in 2025.

Senator Moa Ohuanbunwa, chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Governing Council, lauded the project, noting the potential of the centre to become an international research hub benefiting Ogoni, the Niger Delta, and the country.

Georgewill Owunari, vice chancellor of the university, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to continued collaboration with HYPREP for the development of the region.

Enugu Government Unveils LOC For 2026 National Sports Festival

Enugu government unveils LOC for 2026 national sports festival. Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has officially announced the members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 23rd National Sports Festival, scheduled to be held in Enugu in 2026.

In a statement, Governor Mbah emphasized that the committee members were carefully selected based on their expertise, outstanding contributions to the sports sector, and dedication to excellence. The LOC will be led by the Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., who will serve as the chairman.

Full List of LOC Members:

Bamiduro Olumide – A respected sports management expert and former badminton champion, serving as General Secretary.

Mary Onyali – Former world-class athlete with extensive international experience.

Aku Aghazu – Accomplished lawyer specializing in sports management.

Victor Okorie – Elite athletes’ representative and member of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Blessing Chisalam Ekwe – Chief Operating Officer of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria and a FIFA-licensed agent.

Davidson Owumi – Highly experienced sports administrator, current Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria Professional Football League, and former General Manager of Enugu Rangers FC.

Tony Ugwu – Chairman, Enugu Football Association.

Henry Chinedu Okorie – Executive member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Nigeria Athletics Athletes Commission.

Jonathan Nnaji – President of Nigeria’s Modern Pentathlon Federation, Vice President of the Africa Modern Pentathlon Confederation, and Executive Board Member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

Boniface Onovo – Director of Organising, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Ephraim Ochonma – Director of Coaching, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Obiora Obasi – Technical Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner, Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports.

NSF

Governor Mbah expressed confidence in the committee’s ability to organize a successful and world-class sporting event, highlighting their collective expertise and individual track records in sports administration.

In response, LOC Chairman and Enugu State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu Jr., reaffirmed the state’s commitment to hosting a festival that meets international standards, ensuring an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.

The 2026 National Sports Festival is expected to be a landmark event, showcasing Enugu’s capacity as a premier destination for national and international sporting competitions.