The maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival has received a major boost with the assurance by the Akwa Ibom State Government of its readiness to host.

The State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umoh Eno, gave the assurance on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission led by the Managing Director, Dr Sam Ogbuku, accompanied Executive Director, Sector Directors, and the Project Consultants, Dunamis Icon, to brief the Governor on the objectives for instituting the multi sports competition and plans for its successful realisation.

Thanking the NDDC for initiating the festival and choosing Akwa Ibom State as host of the maiden edition, Gov Enoh said the visit by the NDDC shows it’s seriousness on the project.

“We thank you for the privilege to host. Your visit shows your seriousness, and there is no way we will reject it.

“The festival will promote the unity in our diversity and also help the local economy through the various commercial activities, from patronage of hotels, food, transportation and other things involved.

“We will set up a small committee to work with you to deliver the event. We look forward to welcoming the Niger Delta, and together, we will have a good time.”

On the availability of required sports facilities, the governor expressed pleasure that successive administrations in the state have contributed to the stock.

“These facilities have come through the combination of works done by each administration. The Godswill Akpabio Stadium done by our present Senate President has stood the test of time, and it also takes great efforts to maintain and sustain it.”

L-R: MD of NDDC, Dr Sam Ogbuku; Akwa Ibom State Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umoh Eno; NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai; and Exective Director, Corporate Services, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde

Earlier in his address, the NDDC Managing Director said the key objectives of the initiative is to foster regional integration, project the identity of the region as a leader in Nigerian sports, and support the partner the states in the discovery and harnessing of talents for the attainment of gainful sporting careers and national excellence in international competitions.

“The Niger Delta is a leading sports hub in Nigeria. The region has produced great sports legends, but when we do not do something to sustain that, there will be a decline.

“We have done very well in our interventions on roads, bridges, education, health, the provision of infrastructure in various other sectors, and as we mark the 25th anniversary of the NDDC, we are starting with intervention in sports.

“We have had a meeting with the commissioners for sports of the nine states, and they are excited and confirmed their participation in the festival.”

“We chose Akwa Ibom after having confirmed that the state has the facilities for competition in the featured sports and we would only need to do a few touches on some of them, with the Godswill as the main venue.”

Rhe NDDC entourage included Sir Victor Antai, Executive Director, Projects; Hon Ifedayo Abegunde, Executive Director, Corporate Services; Apostle Edikan Nkono, Akwa Ibom representative on the board of the NDDC; Directors of various operational departments; Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, Chairman of Dunamis Icon Limited, and other officers of the company.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival is scheduled for April 1 to 8, 2025, with Uyo as the host city.

The activities would start with state trials and selection process, which the organisers say would begin from the local government areas and across the 85 federal constituencies in the region.

Though a unilateral ceasefire was announced on Tuesday, a deadly conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23 recently capture the border city of Goma and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in the region.

Rwanda denies backing M23, and says any actions it takes are in self-defense, but the United Nations has repeatedly called for the country to withdraw forces from DRC and bring an end to support for the group.

Bayern Munich signed a deal with Rwanda in 2023, following in the footsteps of English club Arsenal and French outfit Paris Saint-Germain. The five-year partnership, described by Bayern as “platinum” and thought to be worth in excess of €5 million a year ($5.15million) a year stipulates that Bayern promote the African country’s tourism brand “Visit Rwanda.”

“Countless lives have been lost; rape, murder and theft prevail. Your sponsor is directly responsible for this misery. If not for your own consciences, then the clubs should do it (end their sponsorship agreement) for the victims of Rwandan aggression,” she wrote.

What has Bayern’s reaction been?
The Bundesliga leaders have not yet responded to a query from DW nor spoken publicly on the matter. However, shortly after it was signed in 2023, Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern’s CEO, defended the deal.

“Yes, we take money from Rwanda, but we also do something for it; by being open about it, by sending coaches there, by building a youth academy together, and so on,” he told DW. “We want to be part of the development of Rwanda and also champion Africa as a continent of opportunity.”

Is this the first time something like this has happened with Bayern?
No, in fact the Rwanda deal was signed less than two months after the end of a similar deal with Qatar which also proved highly controversial, and caused a significant rift between the club and its fans. Qatar’s position on dissent and other human rights issues came under the spotlight during the 2022 World Cup. Bayern’s active fanbase felt the country’s politics did not match the club’s stated values and a 2021 annual general meeting descended into anarchy in scenes that made global headlines.

What do Bayern and Rwanda gain from such deals?
In the case of the club, the answer initially appears to be money, though it is increasingly unclear whether the damage to its reputation caused by issues such as this is worth an amount that would only pay the wages of star striker Harry Kane for a couple of months. Bayern are also seeking to improve their profile in the region.

“Africa is a continent of opportunities. For FC Bayern, this is the next important step in internationalization,” said Dreesen when the deal was signed. Ultimately, again, this would be a way to grow commercial income.

For Rwanda, the stated aim is “to support the development of youth football for boys and girls in Rwanda” through the Bayern Munich academy set up in the country, according to then-minister for sport Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju.

“The potential is there for Rwandans to excel in football and this partnership provides a great platform for Rwanda to strive for excellence in sports,.” she said.

But many international observers see it differently, with Rwanda, and its leader Paul Kagame, increasingly being accused of sportswashing – using sports in order to present a positive public image that does not reflect reality.

“These sponsorships…have acted to sanitize Rwanda in the eyes of the world. Rwanda, which is a very poor country, has decided to spend its money supporting these clubs. It has signed deals with the cycling world championships, it’s hoping to get Formula 1 to be held in Rwanda and it creates this image of a modern, progressive, clean, safe African country,” author and journalist Michela Wrong told DW News.

“But at the same time, it’s intervening very strongly in neighboring (DR) Congo and creating chaos in that country, and is responsible for thousands of deaths.”

What could happen next?
The situation in DR Congo is fast-moving and it is unclear how secure the ceasfire is. France has called for Rwanda to “immediately” exit the country, the UK’s foreign minister, David Lammy, has said M23 “could not have taken Goma without material support from Rwandan defense forces” and Germany is among the major powers considering whether to continue sending aid to Rwanda.

From Bayern’s perspective, things are unclear. Given how politically engaged fans are in Germany, Bayern are likely to come under much more internal pressure than PSG or Arsenal and, as with Qatar, they must now decide whether the PR damage is worth the revenue.

“These are rich, popular, very high-profile clubs – I don’t think they need to take money from Rwanda, they can find other sponsors,” Wrong said. “I would encourage them to do so.”

Bayern host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Friday night, which may mean matchgoing fans will make their voices heard through a banner or some other form of collective action.

Runners are gearing up for the physical demands of the race, journalists are scrambling for accreditation, and fans are eager for the electrifying experience that has defined the event over the years.

As the 10th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon approaches, excitement is at an all-time high already.

First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Solomon Ogba, emphasized the race’s growing reputation, attributing its success to the organizers’ consistent innovation and commitment to excellence.

Beyond its name sponsor, Access Bank, the marathon continues to attract high-profile corporate backing.

Casio has been named the official time partner, while Airtel will serve as the official telecommunications partner.

Other major sponsors and partners include the Lagos State Government, World Athletics, 7Up, Rexona, Unilever, ROBB, Premier, Brila Media, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, FINERGE, and Aquafina, among others.

In the lead-up to the main event, fans will first enjoy the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon EXPO from February 3-13, running daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

The excitement will then culminate on February 15th, when athletes take to the streets for the highly anticipated race, further cementing the marathon’s status as a premier global sporting event.