Team Akwa Ibom shone brightly at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Niger Delta Games at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Friday, 20 February 2026. The event was filled with colour, music, and unity. The Akwa Ibom contingent was at the centre of the dance segment, as athletes from different states danced together in groups, reflecting the unity and regional integration goals of the games.
Beyond the energetic dance display, Akwa Ibom also received special recognition at the ceremony. Former Akwa Ibom State Governor and current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, received loud cheers when he was announced to give his address, which was delivered on his behalf by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong.
Distinguished sons of Akwa Ibom also played key roles at the event. Mr Edidiong Stephen served as one of the comperes and delivered with distinction, while Guinness World Record holder George Iniabasi Essien, popularly known as Mighty George, hosted the red carpet.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, was also present and joined the athletes on the dance floor in an inspiring moment, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of the evening.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, praised the vision of the Niger Delta Games and aligned it with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He said the competition was here to stay and called on governors in the region to support the NDDC in co-funding the event.
Dr Ogbuku described the games as a platform to discover future national and Olympic champions, stressing that the aim is to tap talents from the amateur level and sustain their development. He added that the games promote regional integration by helping athletes build bonds and friendships.
In their remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo said the Niger Delta is blessed with both natural and human resources and commended the NDDC for initiating the games.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, described the Niger Delta Games as a powerful investment in the future of Nigerian youths. He said the maiden edition showed that young people respond with excellence when given opportunities and that the second edition builds on that foundation.
He noted that beyond medals, the games focus on talent discovery and creating pathways into the multi-billion-dollar sports industry. He urged the NDDC and stakeholders to continue investing in youth development programmes and called on athletes to embrace sportsmanship.
The President also said the progress of the Niger Delta is inseparable from the progress of Nigeria and expressed hope that the games would strengthen unity and discover new talents.
President Tinubu officially declared the 2nd Niger Delta Games open. Music star Patoranking then took the stage, delivering an electrifying performance that provided the perfect ending to the event.
The 2nd Niger Delta Games features 16 sports events and brings together athletes from nine participating states. Dunamis-Icon Limited is the rights owner and organiser of the games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Bayelsa State emerged champions at the maiden edition held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, in 2025, while Team Akwa Ibom will be looking to improve on their sixth-place finish from the first edition.
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