By Azuka Chiemeka
The ongoing Niger Delta Sports Festival has not only showcased top athletic talents but has also significantly impacted local businesses, with food vendors experiencing a surge in patronage.
Miss Grace Etop Jimmy, the CEO of Geera Enterprises, who operates at the West Itam Secondary School—one of the venues hosting handball, volleyball and basketball events has expressed joy over the business boom.
Before the festival, she primarily operated in Itam and Afaha markets, where her daily profits were modest. However, with the influx of athletes, officials and spectators, her earnings have tripled.
“This festival has been a game-changer for small businesses like mine,” Grace stated enthusiastically. “Before now, making a reasonable profit was a struggle, but with this event, everything has changed. Thank you, NDDC, we are cashing out.”
Grace, a former volleyball athlete, emphasized that the benefits of the festival extend beyond just sports, noting that no other sporting event in the state’s history has provided such an economic boost for small-scale entrepreneurs.
“The impact of this festival cannot be compared to any previous sporting event hosted in Akwa Ibom. The number of people here daily means more sales, and that’s a win for us vendors,” she added.
She also expressed her gratitude to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the event organizers for the initiative, hoping that such sports meets would become a regular occurrence.
“I sincerely appreciate the NDDC and everyone involved in making this festival happen. It has helped not just the athletes but also local businesses. I pray it is sustained because we are benefiting in ways we never imagined,” she said.
With the festival still in progress, vendors like Grace continue to enjoy the economic opportunities that come with hosting large-scale sporting events, reaffirming the role of sports in community development beyond just the game itself.
