The games torch of the second Niger Delta Games, billed for Edo state from February 20 to 27, has arrived Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
The torch, the games’ symbol of peace, strength and solidarity, commenced its tour of all nine competing Niger Delta states from Calabar, Cross River State, on Monday, February 9, before arriving Uyo today.
The torch bearer, Edidiong Umoafia, a bronze medallist at the Commonwealth Games, led other outstanding state athletes in a colourful procession, which was a roll call of the state’s star athletes of the yesteryear and those of the present, from the headquarters of the ministry of sports to the globe roundabout along Wellington Bassey way, where the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, had already walked out to and was standing by to receive the torch in company with top government functionaries, the Managing Director of Dunamis-Icon Limited, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, and management staff of the ministry of sports.
Addressing the gathering, Pastor Umo Eno declared the state’s intention to participate in the games and to do so fairly and under healthy competition.
Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ubong Umoh, the Governor thanked Dunamis-Icon Limited, organizers of the games, and the NDDC, sponsors of the games, for the initiative which he said was a viable platform to promote peace, unite the people and harness the sports talents that abound in the Niger Delta.
According to the Governor, “The theme of the games, Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents, succinctly reminds us, as leaders, that beyond our bountiful natural riches, there lies a plethora of potentialities that can be harnessed into hastening the progress and development of our region.”
“Today, I am happy to receive the torch of unity, on behalf of our people, signifying our state’s readiness to participate in the second Niger Delta Games in Edo state. As I pass the torch back to the organizers for onward movement to other states, I beckon on my brother Governors in the region to embrace the message and lofty ideals behind the games by supporting the NDDC and Dunamis-Icon as they continue to work towards unveiling and propelling the sports talents that our region has been mightily blessed with.”
In his remarks, the games consultant, Sir Ikpokpo, commended the state liaison committee for what he called an effective organization of the torch ceremony and assured that all modalities had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free outing when the games get under way in Edo state.
Speaking earlier, the commissioner for sports and chairman of the state liaison committee, Elder Paul Bassey, reflected on the benefits of the games and praised the organizers for the professional touch they have put to the games.
“I must commend Dunamis-Icon Limited for going beyond initiating this competition with all its attendant benefits, to bringing professionalism and in-depth dexterity to the organization of the games.” “It is also a thing of immense joy that the NDDC has lived up to expectation by throwing its weight behind the games as a way of giving back to society.”
Goodwill messages were received from the Head of Civil Service, Mrs Elsie Anietie Peters and the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Eketette Ekanem, while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Rosemary Ubia, delivered the vote of thanks.
High point of the ceremony was the handing over of the torch to officials of Abia state which is the next destination on the torch tour.
After touring the other eight states of the Niger Delta region,the games torch will arrive Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Benin city, Edo state, where it would stay lit from the opening ceremony on February 20 to the closing ceremony on February 26, before being handed over to the next host state of the annual multi-sports championship.
