General News
NDDC Vows to Sustain Niger Delta Games, Calls on States to Join Sponsorship
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has promised that the Niger Delta Games will continue, calling on state governments to join efforts in promoting and funding the seven-day sporting event.
Ogbuku made the declaration during the opening ceremony of the second edition of the Games, held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State.
The NDDC chief described the competition as a platform specifically designed to nurture amateur athletes. He highlighted that the Games aim to curb the practice of states hiring athletes from outside in pursuit of medals.
“We discovered that some state governments recruit athletes from other states just to win medals. This competition is for amateur athletes who can grow into professionals from here. Let us invest in our talents and groom them,” Ogbuku said.
He emphasized that the Games provide a unique opportunity for discovering and promoting raw talents. “This competition has come to stay. It is part of our sports intervention, and we welcome the support of governors. While the NDDC is currently the sole sponsor, we believe state governments will join to sustain the Games,” he added.
Represented by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Enoh, President Bola Tinubu praised the initiative and urged the NDDC to expand programs that empower youths and women. He described sports as a tool for unity and human development, stressing that the Niger Delta Games go beyond medals to create pathways for global recognition.
“Niger Delta youths are creative and ready to compete. This is about talent discovery, career opportunities, and national pride,” the President said.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, announced N20 million for the winning state and N10 million for the runner-up, emphasizing that the Games represent the resilience, talent, and potential of the Niger Delta.
Alabo Boma Iyaye, NDDC Executive Director for Finance and Administration and Chairman of the Games’ Main Organising Committee, noted that the second edition builds on the success of the maiden edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, urging athletes to compete fairly and aim for international excellence.
The President of the Senate, Chief Goodswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured continued National Assembly support for youth development initiatives, pledging collaboration with the NDDC to promote growth and showcase the spirit of the Niger Delta.
Over 3,000 athletes from the nine Niger Delta states are taking part in the seven-day event, fully sponsored by the NDDC.
History has been recorded in the Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State as several communities have begun receiving electricity from Aba Power, a distribution company based in Aba, Abia State.
Residents say the development marks the first time in over 10 years that they are enjoying a stable electricity supply.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters at his office, the Chairman of Etche LGA, Hon. Chima Njoku expressed excitement over the breakthrough.
“My joy knows no bounds as my people now have constant, quality and affordable electricity for the first time in years,” he said, likening his experience to that of the biblical Simeon who rejoiced after witnessing a long-awaited promise fulfilled.
A resident and fish farmer in the Umuola community, Mrs. Bernadette Obi said the communities had endured years of darkness before the intervention. She credited the council chairman for fulfilling his campaign promise to address the electricity challenge.
According to her, Njoku procured distribution transformers for several communities to ensure widespread access once supply was restored. She added that the chairman personally approached Aba Power because of its service reputation.
Confirming the development, Aba Power’s Senior Brand and Communication Manager, Edise Ekong, said the company initially hesitated since Etche falls within the jurisdiction of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).
However, following engagements involving PHEDC and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), all parties reached an agreement allowing Aba Power to supply electricity to the affected communities.
Ekong said residents have expressed satisfaction with both the stability and pricing of the electricity.
“It has been a week now without any interruption in supply,” he said, adding that service continuity would depend largely on steady gas supply and protection of infrastructure from vandalism.
He further disclosed that other state governments, communities, and major manufacturers outside Aba Power’s ring-fenced area are currently in talks with the company for potential supply arrangements.
Aba Power is Nigeria’s 12th electricity distribution company.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested 20 suspects over alleged electoral offences during the just-concluded local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The arrests were carried out on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across various area councils in the territory.
According to the anti-graft agency, the suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from vote buying and vote selling to obstruction of electoral officers. A total sum of N17,218,700 (Seventeen Million, Two Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred Naira) was reportedly involved in the alleged illegal activities.
The EFCC disclosed that one of the suspects was arrested with N13.5 million found inside a vehicle parked beside a polling booth in Kwali Area Council.
Breakdown of the arrests shows that two suspects were apprehended in Abaji, nine in Gwagwalada, four in Kuje and another four in Kwali.
The commission stated that the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Federal Government has dismissed reports that it plans to introduce compulsory military service for Nigerian youths, clarifying that there is no intention to enforce mandatory enlistment.
The clarification was made on Friday by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who spoke during the presentation of a book titled Serving the Nation: Exploring Mandatory Military Service for Nigerian Youths. He was represented at the event by Col. George Usibe, Deputy Director of Special Duties.
“The Federal Government has no policy to introduce mandatory military service in Nigeria at present,” the minister stressed, noting that suggestions to the contrary were unfounded. Instead, Gen. Musa reiterated that the country’s military will continue to operate as a professional volunteer force, supported by existing civic service programmes.
Gen. Musa highlighted that youth engagement in national development continues through established initiatives such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to foster national unity and expose young Nigerians to diverse cultures across the country.
He said security challenges like insurgency and terrorismcan nott be resolved solely through manpower increases. Instead, the minister stressed that effective governance, strong institutions, and trust between citizens and the government are essential pillars in confronting insecurity.
While Gen. Musa acknowledged the value of structured national service in promoting unity, discipline and civic responsibility, he emphasised that any future policy in this area would need to align with constitutional provisions, economic realities, and institutional capacity.
The minister also noted that the ongoing national conversation on youth service provides an opportunity for scholarly and public input, but insisted the government is not pursuing compulsory military conscription at this time