IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

....... As Party launches digital membership registration, reaffirms support for apex leader

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) in Imo State on Saturday held a significant stakeholders’ meeting as the newly emerged State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Michael Anyanwu, presided over the gathering for the first time since assuming office.

The former lawmaker recently emerged as the State Chairman of the party, succeeding the former chairman, Barr. Greg Okemili. Prior to his emergence, Anyanwu served as the State Secretary of the party, a position in which he played an active role in the party’s organizational development and internal coordination.

The meeting brought together key leaders and stakeholders of the party from across the state in a renewed effort to strengthen the party’s structures, deepen unity among members, and reposition the party for greater relevance and impact in Imo State.

Stakeholders engaged in extensive deliberations on strategies for party growth, grassroots expansion, and stronger internal coordination among party organs. Participants emphasized the need for collective commitment and cooperation as the party continues its efforts to build a stronger political platform in the state.

A major highlight of the meeting was the official flag-off of the party’s E-Membership Registration Exercise, a digital initiative aimed at creating a modern, transparent, and well-coordinated membership system that will enhance participation and strengthen the party’s grassroots base across the state.

Another key moment during the meeting was the unveiling of new members of the State leadership. Hon. Samuel Umunnakwe, a former House of Assembly candidate was presented as the State Secretary, while Nneoma Jane Nwoke was unveiled as the State Deputy Chairman. Their emergence, stakeholders noted, would further strengthen the leadership team as the party works to reposition itself in the state’s political landscape.

In a show of solidarity, stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Apex Leader of the party in Imo State, High Chief Kemdi Chino Opara, PhD, KSC in recognition of his steadfast leadership, guidance, and continued support toward the growth and stability of the party.

The stakeholders also reaffirmed their confidence in the State Working Committee led by Rt. Hon. Anyanwu, pledging their support for the leadership as it works to reposition the party for effective organization and service to the people.

Party leaders described the meeting as productive and forward-looking, expressing optimism that the resolutions reached would further strengthen unity within the party and enhance its capacity to respond to the aspirations of the people of Imo State. 

As the second edition of the Niger Delta Games enters Day-3 in Benin, Edo State, the Scouting Committee has said that it has a mission to identify the next generation of star sportsmen and women from the region.

Chairman of the committee, Godwin Enakhena and his team has been moving round the games venues from morning sessions till the close of the day, monitoring and liaising with the screening committee to ensure that the right athletes were scouted.

"We’re ready to help discover the next Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Ikpeba, Victor Osimhen, Nwankwo Kanu, Efe Ajagba, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume etc for the Niger Delta region", he asserted Sunday afternoon when he joined a group of former athletics stars at the track and field events at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Sunday.

The line up of athletics greats includes Mary Onyali, Henry Amike, Gabriel Okon, Gabriel Opuama and Enefiok Udo-Obong among others.

"We are happy with the job done by the screening committee to ensure that true U-20s are the ones participating in Benin City. 

"We’re going to be meticulous in beaming the searchlight on very talented younger athletes that are being showcased at the Games", he said amidst the din of cheers that trailed the completion of the 400m hurdles final. 

Enakhena recalled that at the last edition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, 644 athletes were identified as having the potentials to thrive in the future.

He believes that there exists a possibility to exceed that number given that the states are beginning to embrace the vision of going to the grassroots to discover budding talents.

"To make this happen, we’ve put together experienced coaches and scouts. Blessing Oborududu leads wrestling scouts and Rolake Olagbegi-Kassim leads tennis. She was the first Nigerian female professional tennis player and the first to win Gold and Silver medals at the All-African Games. The longest serving NPFL player, Victor Ezeji will lead the football scouts, amongst others", he disclosed.

The NDG has been programmed to provide a platform for states in the region to discover, test and nurture indigenous budding talents to become national and international champions.

The games is organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited led by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo and sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

By Kennedy Onwunali 

With the countdown to the second edition of the Niger Delta Games underway, Imo State has stepped up preparations, commencing closed camping for its contingent ahead of the February 20–27, 2026 competition in Edo State.

A total of 270 athletes and 46 coaches, drawn from 16 sports associations, have settled into camp at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, where technical and tactical drills have begun in earnest.

Separately, the state’s swimming team has already taken camp in Asaba, where they are undergoing specialised sessions aimed at sharpening endurance and competitive edge before joining the rest of the contingent for the Games.

The Commissioner for Sports and Chairman of the State Liaison Committee, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha, while addressing the athletes, described the camping programme as a strategic move to boost fitness, discipline and team bonding.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to the welfare of the athletes, assuring them of adequate support throughout the competition. According to him, the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma is determined to reward excellence and celebrate podium finishes.

On his part, Onyeocha promised personal recognition for gold medallists, noting that the team would remain in camp from February 17 to 18 before departing for Edo on February 19. He added that necessary logistics had been provided in line with competition regulations.

The Games, sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited under the theme, “Beyond Oil: Harnessing Talents,” are expected to showcase emerging sporting talents from across the Niger Delta region 

Bayelsa and Delta States took turns to receive the Niger Delta Games Torch on Monday with the Managing Director of Dunamis-Icon Limited and Lead Consultant for the Niger Delta Games, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo declaring that all is in place for Edo state to host the 2nd Niger Delta Games.

"I'm confident to say that Edo is 98% ready, the facilities that needed upgrade has been worked on to the required standard in conjunction with our sponsors, the NDDC.

"The hostels are ready, the facilities are ready, we are just waiting for the athletes to arrive", Ikpokpo told Journalists.

He again spoke on efforts and guidelines put in place to curb the poaching of athletes by participating states.

"The essence of the games is not necessarily to win, but to discover and harness talents that can represent the Niger Delta region and our country, Nigeria. 

"We have done so much to ensure states don't poach athletes and that the athletes are within the stipulated age bracket. We also want a situation where athletes competing are representatives of those states", he stated.

On the state of facilities for the Games, he affirmed that they were ready and urged participating states to strictly adhere to the rules of the games.

The Unity Torch was subsequently handed over to Nigeria’s former swimming star, Blessing Forcados, for onward transmission to Ondo State.

In Bayelsa, Governor Duoyo Diri, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali, praised the games organisers and sponsors for the initiative.

Receiving the Torch at a ceremony which took place at the Samson Siasia Complex, the Governor described the games as having placed the Niger Delta region as the leader in sport development.

"Let me thank the Niger Delta Development Commission and Dunamis Icon Limited for initiating the Games. 

"With this initiative, they have placed the Niger Delta States ahead of every other region in the country. So, we commend them for this and we hope that they would even put up a bigger and better games this time", he stated.

The Lighting of the Festival Torch represents unity of all the States in the Niger Delta region. The goal of every sporting event is to unify participating States, athletes and officials. It is used to foster a spirit of friendship and compete in a fair competitive environment.

The 2nd edition of Niger Delta Games will formally open on Friday, February 20, while the Closing ceremony takes place on Thursday, February 26.

Pics.._Sir Itiako Ikpokpo addressing the Delta State Torch reception team in Asaba on Monday_ 

By- Alambo Datonye Fred 

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State will lead a cast of government officials to receive the festival torch for the 2nd Niger Delta Games.

The Festival Torch is expected to arrive in Yenagoa, the State capital on Saturday, February 14th, 2026.

Incidentally, the event coincides with the 6th Anniversary of the Governor since he took the mantle of leadership in the State on February 14th, 2020.

Governor Diri would be accompanied by the Commissioner for Sports, Daniel Igali and the Director of the State Sports Council, Andrew Aye to receive the torch on Saturday morning.

Chairman/CEO of Dunamis Icon Limited, project consultant of the Niger Delta Games Chief Itiako Ikpokpo is also expected to lead the organisers to the occasion.

Ikpokpo said the fiesta would further unite the people of the Niger Delta region and provide a platform for the discovery of future sporting stars from the area.

The 2nd edition of Niger Delta Games is expected to start on February 20, 2026, though arrival of the participating teams is February 19, 2026.

The Closing ceremony is due to hold on February 26.

The Games is the first regional sports festival in the country. 

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 weight-lifter clad in the colourful Akwa Ibom tracksuit arrived Umuahia Township Stadium and was met by Hon. 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 20-27.

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 the Torch ceremony. 

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