Governor Hope Uzodinma has described the unveiling of Bros, the Mascot for the forthcoming Niger Delta Sports Festival Mascot, in Owerri, as ‘an important event in Imo State’, adding he looks forward to more collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Friday’s event which was held amid pomp and ceremony at the Landmark Event Centre in the posh New Owerri Development Area, had in attendance top echelon of the NDDC led by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye as well as members of the Imo State Executive Council, Senators and some members of the House of Representatives.
Heralded by traditional dancers and serenaded by the Imo State choral group, Bros emerged digitally and live with a pose that had audience in a standing applause.
“The Mascot is derived from the Dolphin, which like the Niger Delta in Nigeria, has presence, prominence and respect in its environment,”Itiako Ikpokpo, the Lead Consultant at Dunamis Icon and Co-Chairman of the Main Organising Committee for the NDSF, told the audience the story of Bros.
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He added: “The name, Bros, is a short form for ‘Brother’ which is commonly used in the Niger Delta, depicting the oneness, friendship and camaraderie that they share. Simply put, all Niger Deltans are brothers and they call themselves ‘Bros’.
The presence of Festival Ambassadors led by two former African Footballers of the Year, Victor Ikpeba and Emmanuel Amuneke added colour and excitement as guests eagerly sought to pose for pictures and videos with them.
Other Ambassadors who were unveiled alongside the duo were World women wrestling champion, Blessing Oborodudu, former Africa sprints champion, Seun Ogunkoya, Tamunosiki Atorudibo, Olympic medallist, Patience Igbiti and former Falcons captain, Efionwan Ekpo.
Earlier in his welcome address at the event which was also a celebration of the NDDC 25th years of operation, Ogbuku said: “the festival aims to promote regional integration and discover new sporting talents in the Niger Delta region.”
Concluding the introduction of Bros, Ikpokpo added: “Dolphins are also very sociable and cultural. They entertain, learn, teach their young ones, build social bonds and have a high sense of cooperation and mutual existence.
“Importantly, Dolphins communicate in various ways, just like we have various languages and ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, but all united in diversity.
“Niger Deltans are all Bros,” he added. .