Gov. Otti receives Niger Delta Games Torch, pledges improved Abia performance

By our reporter

It was the turn of Abia State to receive and parade the Niger Delta Games Torch on Thursday morning as one of the Games Ambassadors, Joseph Edidiong, brought it in from Akwa Ibom.

Edidiong, a weightlifter clad in an Akwa Ibom tracksuit, arrived at the Umuahia Township Stadium and was met by Nwaobilor Ananaba, the state sports commissioner and Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.

Ananaba then led the procession to the Government House, where they were received by the Governor, Alex Otti, who was represented by the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, and accompanied by Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the Chief of Staff at Government House.

Meribole said the state has made necessary preparations to draw a decent performance at the games starting in Benin, Edo State, from February 20 to 27.

He charged the athletes to compete with courage and win fairly and congratulated the nine states of the region for being the first to have their own regional multi-sports competition. The SSG expressed the expectation that the region will extend its dominance in discovering and raising athletes for the country.

Meribole would go on to commend the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for accepting to sponsor the games as designed and implemented by Dunamis-Icon Limited.

On hand to witness and supervise the process was Fred Edoreh, the Project Director for the Games, who thanked the state for the reception accorded to the Torch ceremony.

According to the Torch Tour roster, Imo State is next on the line to receive the Games symbol.

Photo: Niger Delta Games Torch in Abia State