Monday May 19, 2025 |
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, May 18, officially declared open, the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, NSF, tagged “Gateway Games 2024” holding in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, charged the participating athletes to compete favourably with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony held inside the main bowl of MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta also had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, Governors of Anambra, Osun and Ekiti States respectively- Prof Charles Soludo, Abiodun Oyebamiji as well as Sen Ademola Adeleke.
Other dignitaries were the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, former governors of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel currently representing Ogun East at the Senate, former international, Dr Segun Odegbami among other top political functionaries and sports enthusiasts from across the country.
The festival is believed to have attracted over 10,000 athletes holds between May 16 and 30, 2025.
Tinubu, while declaring the sporting fiesta opened, said that sport remains the soul of Nigeria’s togetherness, saying nothing unites the country like sport.
He said the government recognised sport as a way of life, hence the reorganisation of Sport administration to become a stand alone National Sport Commission, NSC.
Tinubu said his government has broken the sport administration from the shackle of vested interest and politics.
“We want it to thrive, autonomous, innovative, and focussed because we recognised it critical role in making the nation healthier, stronger and more united Nigeria,” he said.
He insisted that sport remains of the forces for national cohesion.
“Indeed, nothing has brought the nation together like sport, whether on the pitch, in the court, or on the track. We are reminded daily that we’re not strangers to one another, we are compatriots drawn from different roots but drinking from the same well of national pride,” he said.
Speaking during the event, Gov Abiodun described the opening ceremony as world – class and Ogun standard.
According to him, hosting NSF is not just an honour for Ogun, as it reflects the state’s commitment to national development.
Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, NSC, commended the Ogun state government for accepting to host the festival, which, according to him, demonstrated its commitment towards sports development.
He noted that sports has always been a veritable tool to celebrate the nation’s diversity and unity.
“It is not just a sporting event; it is a celebration of our diversity, our unity, and our shared aspiration to build a stronger Nigeria through the power of sport,” he said.
He lauded President Tinubu for visionary leadership and unwavering support for the sports sector
He said Tinubu’s bold decision to implement the social reorganisation of the federal ministry of sports into the National Sports Commission has laid a foundation for the sustainable growth of the long overdue professionalism of the sporting industry.
“This decision has also strengthened sports to be one of the key drivers of our economy.
“Indeed, this clearly underlines the futuristic vision of Mr President and a clear propensity to take bold decisions, so long he believes they are right and for the collective good of all.
“Indeed, history will be kind to Mr President for this decision, not just in the sports sector but across other political and social sectors of the country.
“For the first time in the history of the sports festival and in line with the agenda of the Tinubu’s government, we introduced the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) and we have over 200 of them participating in this festival,” he said.
The Director-General of the NSC, Bukola Olopade in his speech expressed confidence that the 2024 sports festival “will be the best sporting festival ever in the country’s annals of history.
He added that the festival would produce many champions with hidden talents, which he promised would be nurtured to perfection.
Olopade lauded Gov Abiodun for his unwavering support and commitment to ensure the festival is a success.
The NSC DG added that “This is a very emotional speech for me. 19 years ago, I stood on the tracks of this stadium as a sports commissioner in Ogun
“We are sure and very convinced that this would be the best festival you’ll observe in the country. We’re convinced that the festival will produce many champions.”
President Tinubu Declares National Sports Festival Opened, Urges Competition With Integrity
