In a bid to harness the potential of young athletes and steer students away from societal vices, the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox, has unveiled the official logo for the first-ever Secondary Schools Sports Festival in Bonny, Rivers State.

The event, held at Queen Kambassa Multi-purpose Hall on February 17, 2025 was attended by top government officials, educators, and enthusiastic students from various public and private schools in the area.

Addressing the gathering, Anengi Claude-Wilcox emphasized that the festival was more than just an avenue for fun and competition. It was conceived to serve as a developmental tool, channeling students’ energy into productive engagements while curbing challenges such as cultism, drug abuse, and thuggery.

“We intend to leverage this platform to mold them into better citizens and future leaders. In a few weeks, we will witness our youths showcase their talents and strengths in field and track events”.

With an assurance of support for the facilitators, the Council Boss urged teachers, coaches, and local government sports officials to put in their best efforts in grooming the young talents.

She also called on students to approach the festival with a sense of sportsmanship, emphasizing that fair play and mutual respect were just as important as winning.

Echoing her sentiments, the Supervisor for Youth and Sports, Solomon George-Pepple, announced that the festival’s opening ceremony was scheduled for March 3, 2025.

He highlighted the strong connection between sports and academics, noting that both could serve as a springboard for future success. He further disclosed that prizes, trophies, and gifts worth over three million naira had been set aside for outstanding participants.

As Bonny prepares for this groundbreaking event, students across the region are gearing up to not only compete but also to seize the opportunity to chart a path toward a brighter future.