The Rivers State Government has unveiled a seven-member Local Organising Committee to oversee the preparation and participation of the state’s contingent at the 2026 Niger Delta Games scheduled to hold in Edo State. The committee will be led by former Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Chris Green, who has served in the role on four different occasions.
The announcement marks the formal beginning of Rivers State’s build-up to the Niger Delta Games, also known as Edo 2026, which will be hosted in Benin City from February 20 to February 27. The multi-sport event is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission and is expected to bring together athletes from across the oil-producing states of the region.
In addition to Barrister Green as chairman, the Local Organising Committee includes Professor Ken Anugweje, Comrade Emma Ndah, Obia Inyengiyikabo, and Awele Salubi as members. Emmanuel Jaja was appointed as secretary of the committee, while veteran sports journalist Sammy Wejinya will serve as Media Head and Director of Communications.
The committee is charged with managing all aspects of Rivers State’s participation at the games, including athlete preparation, logistics, welfare, discipline, and public communication. The goal, according to officials, is to ensure that Team Rivers not only competes strongly but also represents the state with professionalism and discipline throughout the event.
Speaking after the inauguration of the committee, Barrister Chris Green called on members to draw on their collective experience to deliver success for the state. He stressed that the selection of the committee was deliberate and based on proven capacity in sports administration and related fields.
Green said only individuals with strong track records were chosen, noting that the task ahead requires commitment, planning, and teamwork. He urged members to see the assignment as an opportunity to further advance the development of sports in Rivers State and to position the state as a model of excellence at the regional level.
According to him, the Rivers State contingent must aim not only to win medals but also to conduct itself in a manner that reflects positively on the state. He added that discipline, unity, and professionalism would be key priorities for the committee as preparations intensify.
The Niger Delta Games will feature competitions in 17 different sports, with events scheduled to take place at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City and other designated venues across Edo State. The games are designed to promote youth development, regional integration, and talent discovery within the Niger Delta.
For Rivers State, the competition represents an important platform to showcase its sporting depth and to nurture athletes who could go on to represent the state and country at national and international levels. Officials believe that early planning and effective coordination by the Local Organising Committee will be critical to achieving these objectives.
The inclusion of Sammy Wejinya as Director of Communications is expected to strengthen media engagement and ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information about Team Rivers before and during the games. His experience in sports journalism is seen as an asset in managing public relations and promoting the achievements of Rivers athletes.
Emmanuel Jaja, as secretary of the committee, will handle administrative coordination and documentation, while the other members are expected to contribute across technical, organisational, and welfare-related areas. Together, the committee will work closely with the Rivers State sports authorities and relevant stakeholders to implement training programmes and logistical arrangements.
The Niger Delta Development Commission, as sponsor of the games, has described the event as part of its broader commitment to youth empowerment and social development in the region. The commission has consistently used sports as a tool to foster unity and provide opportunities for young people across the Niger Delta.
With less than a month to the start of the games, attention will now shift to the committee’s plans for athlete selection, camping, and final preparations. Rivers State has traditionally been one of the stronger sporting states in the region, and expectations are high that the contingent will perform strongly in Edo.
As preparations gather pace, the unveiling of the Local Organising Committee signals Rivers State’s intent to take the 2026 Niger Delta Games seriously. The success or otherwise of Team Rivers in Benin City will largely depend on how effectively the committee translates its experience and mandate into results on and off the field.
