The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has commended the people of the Ayakoro community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state for providing a peaceful atmosphere for development, and lauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for collaborating with the state government to transform communities in the state.

Speaking during the grand finale of the Ayakoro Annual Cultural Festival held in Ayakoro community on Saturday, Governor Diri expressed delight at the remarkable transformation in the communities, noting that “the progress reflects strong collaboration between the community, the state government and the NDDC.”

He said: “I commend the people for their peaceful disposition and continued support for our Government of Assured Prosperity.”

Governor Diri assured the people that the state government would continue to extend development projects to the area. He remarked that “Ayakoro will benefit from the ongoing Akaba–Ogu-Okodi Road project to boost connectivity and economic growth.”

He said further: “Our administration remains committed to ensuring that no community in Bayelsa State is left behind in our development drive.”

The Governor added, “We hope President Bola Tinubu will come and commission our 60-Megawatt Gas Turbine Project, which will provide 24-hour electricity in Bayelsa State.

In his remarks, the Chief Host and the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, thanked the Bayelsa State Governor for supporting the Ayakoro community in its time of need. He recalled that in 2022, when the community was ravaged by flood, the governor visited them to share in their pain.

Ogbuku observed: “When you stepped into this community, you wished us well, you wished us peace, you condoled with us, and since you left, goodness and mercy have been following us.

“Thank you for bringing blessings to this community. We know that, because you are here again today, we are going to quadruple the development we are seeing in this community.”

The NDDC boss noted that the annual cultural festival “celebrates the resilience and character of our people and their ability to confront the unknown, because one of the major difficulties of human beings is facing the unknown.”

“We are not only celebrating the crossing of the community because we were ravaged by flood erosion on the other side, but coming to this way again, you can see that we are doing land reclamation, which means erosion is still ravaging this community.”

Ogbuku stated that development would not thrive in an environment without peace. “The people of Ayakoro are very peaceful people, who believe that tomorrow will always be better.

“Since we have demonstrated that we are a community of peace, and you being a man of peace, we also need to be rewarded with more projects from the Bayelsa State Government.

The chairman of the occasion, Chief Obinna Iyiebu, applauded Ogbuku for the transformation taking place in Ayakoro community.

He said: “I must say Ayakoro community is blessed to have a son like Dr Samuel Ogbuku. I can see development everywhere in Ayakoro community. The essence of people finding themselves in certain positions in life is not just to acquire wealth for themselves but also to bring development to their people. Ogbuku has proven that by improving the Ayakoro community from the state he found it in, bringing development to his people.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Community Spokesperson, Chief Pureaziba Akpoti, noted that the annual “Eyal Obeyin” festival is a significant cultural event in the community, showcasing their rich heritage and traditions and promoting tourism.

He noted: “The Ayakoro annual festival has become a cultural tourism component called ‘Eyal Obeyin’ (Crossing), born out of the need to honour and immortalise the community’s founding fathers.

“This annual celebration promotes harmony, collaboration, peace, and tolerance. It embodies the spirit of resilience and determination exhibited by the community’s forebears. By celebrating this festival, the community honours their forebears’ resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for sponsoring the second edition of the Niger Delta Games, and charged the Commission to continue investing in initiatives that empower youths and women through sports development.

President Tinubu expressed delight with the games at the closing ceremony of the Niger Delta Games at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Edo State, where Team Edo dethroned defending champions, Bayelsa State, to emerge the overall winners.

The President, who was represented by the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described sports as a powerful instrument for unity, empowerment, and national development, according to a statement by, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC, Director, Corporate Affairs.

He said: “Sports remain one of the greatest tools for national unity and youth empowerment. Beyond medals and trophies, this competition is about discovering talents, building character, and creating pathways to global recognition for our young people.”

He commended the NDDC for sustaining the initiative, noting that it aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

According to the President, “We are committed to human capital development initiatives like the Niger Delta Games. We know that sports can be used as a strategic platform to empower youths and women, promote entrepreneurship, and project Nigeria positively to the world.”

In his address, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, commended the NDDC for delivering a world-class sporting event.

The governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa stated: “Over the past week, the Niger Delta Games have showcased resilience, hard work, and sportsmanship. This event has fostered unity and entrepreneurship. We thank the NDDC for giving us a memorable and world-class sports experience.”

Declaring the games closed, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, commended the Edo State Government for collaborating with the NDDC to ensure a successful sporting fiesta.

He expressed optimism that talents discovered at the Niger Delta Games would represent the country at international sporting events such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and the All-Africa Games.

In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, restated that the Games were designed to groom amateur athletes into professionals, assuring stakeholders that the competition had come to stay.

He noted: “Today, we are not just celebrating victories; we are celebrating excellence, discipline, and hard work. We assess you not only by your performance in sports but also by your character. Do not relax after this success. Continue to train, challenge yourselves, and believe in your abilities.”

Announcing the final results, Ogbuku declared: “At the end of this keenly contested festival, Edo State has emerged overall winner with 52 gold medals, 34 silver medals, and 25 bronze medals, making a total of 111 medals. Delta State finished as first runner-up with 102 medals, while Bayelsa recorded 79 medals to come third.”

Akwa Ibom, Abia, Cross River, Ondo, Rivers, and Imo states finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th, respectively.

Earlier in his welcome address, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration and Chairman of the Main Organising Committee, Alabo Boma Iyaye, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the Games.

He said, “We are happy that this competition has brought unity among the states and participants. Many talented athletes have been discovered here, and they will fly the flag of the Niger Delta high across the globe.”

Iyaye paid tribute to the late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia “for establishing the framework for the supremacy of the Niger Delta region in Nigerian sports, which has continued to produce over 60 per cent of Team Nigeria athletes for international competitions.”

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Evangelist Solomon Ogba, advised athletes to uphold integrity.

He counselled: “Stay away from drugs and age falsification. True success comes from discipline, honesty, and dedication to your craft.”

‎..Sports Development Incomplete Without Grassroots Input – Dr Akpe
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‎Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe says no meaningful sports development can take place without input from the grassroots.
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‎The Deputy Governor made the assertion shortly after the formal presentation of the special, branded trophies for both male and female categories of the Prosperity Cup, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
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‎The presentation of the trophies to Governor Douye Diri by the organisers of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament heralds this year’s edition of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle.
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‎The Deputy Governor, Dr. Akpe stated that “the development of sports is incomplete without the grassroots, so attention has to be paid to grassroots sports if we want our sports to grow to the next level”.
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‎Dr Akpe noted that the Prosperity Cup, the biggest grassroots football competition in the country, has over the years become the bedrock of a good number of teams in the country, particularly Bayelsa United FC., adding that the Prosperity administration was using sports as a tool to curb youth restiveness, urging young footballers in the State to take advantage of the platform before them.
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‎He commended the organizers of the tournament for their foresight to put together various capacity building programmes for officials before the commencement of the tournament.
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‎Earlier, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri received the branded trophies, specially crafted to celebrate Bayelsa at 30, from former Nigerian International, Jossy Dombraye and former Bayelsa Queens star, Ebiere Wealth. After receiving the trophies, the Governor handed them over to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, who in turn handed them over to the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali.
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‎Governor Diri and his Deputy, Dr. Akpe were equally presented with a branded FC Barcelona jersey each, by the officials of FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon.
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‎Shortly after the presentation of the trophies to the Governor, he performed the ceremonial kick-off of the match between two Bayelsa selected sides, which officially signals the commencement of hostilities of Season 8 of the Prosperity Cup.
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‎The kick-off and presentation of the trophies are coming after a week of intensive capacity-building training for referees, medical personnel, the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic, and workshop for coordinators as well as media personnel covering the tournament.
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‎Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe in an interview, asserted that this year’s edition of the tournament was significant as it coincides with the 30 years anniversary of the creation of the State and the collaboration with International Technical Advisers, FC Barcelona of Spain.
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‎He noted that the competition would witness tremendous improvement because grassroots football coaches have been impacted by the FC Barcelona technical staff in the last three days, maintaining that the series of capacity training programmes were indicative of the governor’s commitment to sports development.
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‎Mr Akpe hinted that the state government is very intentional in setting up the FC Barcelona Academy in Bayelsa State, explaining that Season 8 of the competition will see 257 teams, comprising 227 male, 28 female and two para-soccer teams, participating in the competition.
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‎The DG appreciated the governor, Senator Douye Diri, lead sponsors, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Binad Table Waters, King George’s Court and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense contribution to the development of sports in the State.
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‎Also, Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi, opined that the organizers of the tournament are fully prepared for the competition, describing this year’s edition as special to celebrate the state creation.
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‎Officials of FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon in separate interviews, remarked that they are pleased with the organization of the tournament, stating that they have spotted talents that could be exposed to FC Barcelona in the near future.
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‎Meanwhile, in the kick-off match, Prosperity Cup Selected B team beat Prosperity Cup Selected A team by two goals to one in what can best be described as a Spanish/Bayelsa combo.
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‎One of the two sides was tutored by Bernat Villa Gorriz while the other side was coached by Alberto Lafuente Rincon. The two FC Barcelona officials were assisted by Anthony Fouye and Dimie Ineididie, from Afini FC and Bayelsa United Feeders FC respectively.

‎… As FC Barcelona Technical Crew give Thumbs Up to Prosperity Cup Organizers
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‎All is now set for the kick-off of Season eight of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
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‎This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi ahead of the kick-off of the showpiece.
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‎According to Avi, the historic kick-off will see two Bayelsa selected sides, tutored by FC Barcelona Technical Directors in a Spanish-Bayelsa combo, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk on Thursday, 26th February 2026 at 7.30am at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.
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‎The statement states that the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, is expected to lead members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the FC Barcelona team and other stakeholders to take the ceremonial kick-off.
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‎It explained that Governor Douye Diri would be the Special Guest of Honour, Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali will serve as Chief Host while the officials FC Barcelona, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz and Alberto Lafuente Rincon would be Special Guests.
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‎The statement further hinted that the four-day FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic, with FC Barcelona, the tournament’s International Technical Advisers, is currently ongoing at the Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Yenagoa.
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‎The statement urges stakeholders, sports enthusiasts, coaches and participating teams to be part of the epoch-making event, maintaining that the Prosperity Cup has become a global brand.
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‎The Tournament Director appreciated the Bayelsa State Government, Premium Trust Bank, Linkage Assurance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Binad Table Waters, King George’s Court and the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue for their immense contribution to the development of sports in the State.

Meanwhile, the FC Barcelona Team Lead, Bernat Villa Gorriz has commended the organisers of the tournament, for putting together the coaching clinic.

According to him, “I am very impressed with the attention to details by the organizers. For me, it is nice to be here to share our thoughts with the coaches. We all know the dream of the players in the competition is to improve their skills, play professional football, travel to Europe, and one day, maybe play for Barcelona. We will see what we can do to assist them achieve their dreams.”

‎*** As Bayelsa SSG Charges Football Managers To See Sports As Business
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‎The FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic got underway in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, with a charge to football managers to explore the money-spinning component of the sport.
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‎Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government, Prof Nimibofa Ayawei, who gave the charge while speaking at the opening ceremony of the coaching clinic, noted that football, and indeed sports generally, was huge business, adding that football managers in the state should begin to pay attention to details and explore the money-spinning potentials of football.

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‎Professor Ayawei urged the grassroots coaches to be diligent and patient to learn from the FC Barcelona officials, maintaining that the exercise would impact positively on the coaches when the competition commences.
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‎Regional Head, Premium Trust Bank, Yenagoa, Dr. Danjuma Omeje noted that the bank will continue to accord priority to the development of sports in the State, pointing out that they have been in collaboration with organisers of the Prosperity Cup in the last three years.
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‎Noting that Premium Bank donated a new coaster bus to Bayelsa Queens last year, Dr Omeje said they would continue to collaborate with organisers of the Prosperity Cup for the over-all development of football in the State.

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‎Earlier in a welcome address, Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, opined that the essence of the programme was to improve the skills of the grassroots coaches in the State.
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‎Mr Akpe, who noted that the continued training of grassroots coaches was already impacting on the growth of football in the state, used the opportunity to appreciate the governor, Senator Douye Diri for his huge investment in sports development in the state. He equally commended the sponsors of the tournament for their steadfastness.
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‎Also speaking, Mr. Bernat Villa Gorriz, the Team Lead of the FC Barcelona delegation, asserted that he was pleased with the organization of the programme particularly the enthusiasm of the coaches, stressing that his dream was to see these coaches rise to the peak of their career.
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‎Also speaking, Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo of Whiz-kid ventures from Netherlands, who facilitated the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup partnership, noted that the objective of the programme was to develop grassroots coaches with the FC Barcelona methodology and style of play.
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‎Two participants, Anthony Fouye, Chairman of Bayelsa Football Coaches Association and Dift Seinitonkumo Edike of FC California of Odi, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the programme for the laudable initiative, noting that the exercise is already reflecting on the performance of grassroots football coaches.
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‎Day one of the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic was rounded-off with a scouting programme in which Citiboi Feeders tackled Bayelsa United Feeders while the second match of the day was between Bayelsa Starlets and FC Silina at the Samson Siasia Stadium.
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‎The scouting programme continues Tuesday, February 24, 2026, immediately after the coaching clinic, with Excellent FC hosting Krusaders F.C. at the Samson Siasia Stadium at 3.00p.m. while in the second match Kingdom Stars will entertain Light FC at 4.00p.m. at the same venue.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Monday presented the certificate of registration to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, one of the two political parties the Commission recently registered.

Protem National National Legal Adviser of NDC, Barrister Reuben Egwuaba, who received the certificate on behalf of the party, said with the presentation, NDC joins the registered political parties “in the contention for provision of democratic leadership and contest for power in ways that would make Nigerians at home and the diaspora proud”.

Said Mr. Egwuaba, “Today’s event marks the culmination of NDC’s long and tortuous fight for registration, a journey which started as far back as 2017, when the association first applied to INEC to be registered as a political party,” moments after he received the certificate from INEC’s Director Elections and Party Monitoring, Barrister Joan Arabs.

“NDC was among the original 171 political organisations that applied for registration as political parties. After meeting all the requirements requested by INEC, NDC was denied registration by INEC at the last minute.

“The reason the then INEC leadership gave for refusing to register NDC was that its logo and insignia bore a close semblance to those of the All Progressives Congress, APC, a claim that was clearly untrue.

But the Commission stuck to this position, so much so that when the list of the last 14 associations that were to be considered for the final stage of the screening process was published by INEC, NDC was conspicuously excluded.

“NDC subsequently went to court to challenge the grounds for INEC’s decision, which NDC said was not only based on wrong assumptions, but also amounted to an improper use of executive discretion on the part of INEC”.

According to Barrister Egwuaba, “The court not only upheld that the NDC logo was not only distinct from that of the APC, but that the second association which INEC had initially cited as also having a similar logo as the NDC’s was not even a registered entity, let alone a political party.

“Following these conclusions, and in the absence of any other tenable grounds for its stance, the court subsequently directed INEC to register NDC, and proclaimed NDC registered”.

Barrister Egwuaba who was also the lead lawyer that appeared for NDC in the suit, thanked the court and the entire judiciary for standing by truth, justice and fairness on the matter.
“We are, once again, reassured that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man”, he said. “The judiciary did its job as it should, in a democracy.”

He also thanked INEC, “particularly its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, who as a Professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, did the right thing by complying with the court order to register NDC.

“The dispatch with which the Commission treated the NDC court ruling confirms the disposition of the current leadership in INEC to transparency and fairness. This is a further reassurance that we can look forward to freer, fairer and more transparent general elections,” Egwuaba said, adding: “This is a victory for not only NDC, it is a victory for democracy, and for all Nigerians. We invite Nigerians to join the NDC.

“It is a new dawn. NDC is here, and we offer ourselves as an alternative platform for all Nigerians who are currently at the point of asphyxiation from the excesses of the ruling APC and bungling crowd of opposition parties. NDC is a party for the people, with a philosophy of service to the people of Nigeria and all that are within Nigeria.

“NDC is officially expected to be listed for the next round of elections in the country, especially the 2027 general elections. The formal unveiling of NDC will follow soon,” Barrister Egwuaba said.

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‎Over a hundred referees from the Bayelsa State Referees Council have been equipped with officiating skills ahead of the commencement of the season 8 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.
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‎The two-day refresher course which was put together by the organizers of the Prosperity Cup in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports Development, had separate sessions; the practical and the theoretical part of the exercise.
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‎Speaking after the programme, renowned CAF Instructor and Member NFF Referees Committee, Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, said he was pleased with the enthusiasm of the young referees, urging referees to take advantage of the opportunity given to them by the organizers.
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‎Chukwujekwu who described the exercise “as massive” noted that this was the first time he was witnessing a tournament where referees are trained by the organizers of the tournament before the commencement of the competition.
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‎He hinted that he is elated that one of the trainees from the previous edition, Rachel Onyekwere has grown to become one of the best centre referees, stating that the continuous training of referees dovetails how the tournament organizers have accorded priority to fair-play.
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‎Another CAF Instructor and Accessor, Felicia Chibugwu, lauded the organizers of the tournament for the initiative, that this year’s edition of the spectacle will witness and improve officiating from the previous edition, maintaining that the umpires have been equipped with modern techniques.
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‎She noted that she was elated to see kids within the age of eight to twelve years participating in the programme, saying that the refresher courses on the referees would avert controversial officiating in the competition this year.
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‎Some of the participants, Kuote Sinivie, and a 15 year old Commander Daniela and another 15 year old Sunny Blessing, expressed gratitude to the Bayelsa State government and the organizers of the tournament for the transformative initiative, maintaining that the exercise has unveiled the latest laws of the game.
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‎The highpoint of the programme was a presentation of certificates to the various participants of the exercise. Meanwhile training for medical personnel will commence on Friday, February 20, 2026.

‎Organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, have scheduled Thursday, February 19, 2026 for the official draws and presentation of jerseys ahead of the season eight of the tournament.
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‎This was contained in a statement signed by the Tournament Director, Mr. Ebi Avi in preparation for the commencement of the spectacle.
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‎According to him, the event will take place at 7.30a.m., at the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa, immediately after the weekly Prosperity Walk, pointing out that the exercise would be colourful as Bayelsa celebrates it’s 30th anniversary.
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According to the statement,‎ the ceremonial draws will be performed by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, while the conduct of the rest of the draws will continue at the Prosperity Cup Secretariat, Golden Tulip Resort, Onopa.
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‎The statement further explained that all participating teams are expected to send representatives to witness the exercise, stating that the ceremonial presentation of the jersey to the governor will be the highlight of the occasion.
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‎Mr. Avi noted that the governor is also expected to perform the ceremonial presentation of jerseys to a team each in the eight LGAs, urging members of the public, stakeholders, and enthusiasts to be part of the grand ceremony.