The President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Dunamis Icon for the successful staging of the weightlifting competition at the Edo 2026 second edition of the Niger Delta Games.
Dr. Abdul described the championship as a landmark initiative for grassroots sports development and youth engagement across the Niger Delta region.
Although unavoidably absent due to national assignments, the NWF President was represented in Benin City by NWF board members, Barrister Amos Dushu and Dr. Steve Olarinoye. Speaking at the end of the three-day event, the Federation praised the organisers for their vision, professionalism and seamless execution.
“The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation is highly impressed by the standard of organisation and the quality of competition witnessed here. The NDDC and Dunamis Icon have clearly demonstrated that sports remain a powerful tool for positively engaging young people and redirecting their energies towards productive pursuits,” Dr. Abdul said.
He added that outstanding athletes discovered during the Games would be fully integrated into the Federation’s development framework.
“This competition has revealed exceptional young talents. We will ensure they are captured in our national database and given access to mentorship, technical support and long-term development pathways,” he assured.
Dr. Abdul also encouraged other regions of the country to adopt the Niger Delta model by investing in structured grassroots competitions as a strategy for youth empowerment.
On the competition floor, host Team Edo dominated proceedings, finishing top of the weightlifting medals table in both male and female categories with an impressive total of 24 medals — 17 gold and seven silver.
Edo’s female lifters were particularly dominant, claiming 10 gold and two silver medals, while the male team added seven gold and five silver medals to secure an emphatic overall victory.
Key contributors to Edo’s gold medal haul included Esther Adebola, Beauty Akpore, Peace Osagie, ThankGod Sunday and Goodnews Jacob, who each won three gold medals, alongside Francis Onaifo and Abiola Islamiat, who added one gold medal apiece.
On the final day, Edo further underlined their superiority as ThankGod Sunday swept three gold medals in the men’s category with a combined lift of 212kg. Francis Onaifo secured gold in the Male 88kg class, while Peace Osagie dominated the Female 69kg category, winning all three gold medals with a total lift of 182kg.
Akwa Ibom State finished second overall with five gold, two silver and five bronze medals, driven by Samuel Sampson’s three gold medals in the Male 71kg and Felix Iniobong’s two gold medals in the Male 60kg division.
Abia State placed third with four gold, eight silver and six bronze medals. Stella Emmanuel won gold in the Female 58kg, while Joseph Obinna and Vitalis Eze boosted the tally in the men’s categories. Obinna was outstanding on the final day, winning two gold and one silver medal with a combined lift of 237kg.
Rivers State finished fourth with two gold, four silver and three bronze medals, inspired by Chinasa Chukwu’s performance in the Female 63kg, where she claimed two gold and one silver medal.
Cross River State also made its mark through Esther Clement, who secured two gold and one silver medal in the Female 58kg category.
Bayelsa State celebrated podium finishes on the final day as Joy Godbless (Female 69kg) and Destiny Duru (Male 88kg) picked up silver and bronze medals respectively.
Team Imo ended the competition with one silver and one bronze medal, both won by Victory Maduabuchi in the Male 65kg category.
The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation reaffirmed its commitment to building on the momentum generated by the Niger Delta Games, noting that the competition has strengthened the pathway for discovering and grooming future national and international champions.