President Bola Tinubu has described sports as a powerful tool for youth development and economic growth of a nation.

Tinubu said this while declaring open the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival holding in Uyo on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sports festival is organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in commemoration of its 25 anniversary.

The President, represented by the Chairman, National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, said the NDDC has reinforced its commitment to harnessing sports as a vehicle for empowerment and sustainable development.
“I commend the NDDC for their foresight in supporting this event.

“Sports is not just about competition, they are powerful tool for youth development, community engagement and economic growth.

“By investing in event of this magnitude, NDDC has reinforced its commitment to harness sports as a vehicle for empowerment, sustainable development and indeed deepening security within the region,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu, who commended the interventionist agency, said the development aligns with the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms for the sports sector.

The President applauded the Akwa Ibom Government for hosting the festival, saying the state has proven itself as a sports destination for international competition, especially football.

In his remarks, the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, said that the region was not only vested with natural resources, but human potentials for the development of the nation.

Momoh said that the festival has proven that the NDDC is not just known for infrastructure development alone but also in sports.

He said sports teaches all values that are fundamental to building a prosperous society and tasked the athletes to see the festival as an opportunity to showcase their talents.


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/04/sports-powerful-tool-for-development-economic-growth-tinubu/