*Declares 22nd National Sports Festival open in Abeokuta*
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration decided to revive the hitherto moribund National Sports Commission (NSC) in order to shield the administration of sports from bureaucratic bottlenecks and the distractions of vested power interests.
This, according to him, reflected the seriousness with which his administration regards sports because of the crucial role the sector plays in nation-building.
The President stated this on Sunday when he formally declared open the 22nd National Sports Festival, termed ‘Gateway Games Ogun 2024,’ at a colourful ceremony in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that for Nigeria and its citizens, sports has graduated from a mere contest of physical strength to the soul of the nation’s togetherness, and the “mirror that reflects the possibilities of a truly united nation.
“That is why, here in Nigeria, we have made sport a culture, not merely an event but a way of life. Sport, to us, is a tool for national integration, a rallying ground for patriotism, and a workshop for shaping not just the body, but also the mind and the spirit of our people,” he stated.
Explaining why he revived the National Sports Commission (NSC) after nine years of stagnation, the President noted that it became necessary to reorganise a sector that has placed Nigeria on the global map.
He said, “We have chosen to shield it from bureaucratic interferences and the distractions of vested power interests. We want it to thrive, autonomous, innovative, and focused, because we recognise its critical place in building a healthier, stronger, and more united Nigeria.
“For decades, sport has placed Nigeria on the global map, not just in glory, but in grit. From medal-winning Olympians to world-renowned footballers, from heavyweight champions in boxing to our stars on tracks and fields, we have nurtured a lineage of excellence that has made every Nigerian walk taller.”
On the 22nd National Sports Festival holding in Abeokuta, the President said, apart from serving as a just physical contest, the event is a tribute to his administration’s “unrelenting commitment to preserving the spirit of sportsmanship, to investing, materially and emotionally, in a practice that defines Nigeria as a people.
President Tinubu observed that even though the choice of hosting the festival took the games to Ogun State, the excitement that comes with it resonates across Nigeria, even as he said it is “proof that sport remains one of the most powerful forces for national cohesion”.
He applauded Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State for playing what he described as “an exceptional host” who has opened the doors of his state to the nation to raise “the bar for what hospitality and organisation mean.
“Ogun State, long known as a gateway to knowledge, industry, culture, and excellence, has today reasserted its place as a gateway to greatness,” he added.
The President further implored participants at the sports festival to ensure that the lighting of the torch to mark the commencement of the games symbolises the bond of Nigeria’s diversity.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Governor of Ogun State and host of the event, Prince Abiodun, said the President’s endorsement of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State underscored the unwavering commitment and support for sports development in Nigeria, thus enhancing national unity and global recognition.
He noted that what encouraged Ogun State to host the game “lies in the unshakeable belief that sports is not only a unifying force across our diverse federation but a catalyst for socio-economic development and youth empowerment.”
He noted that the festival is not only a sporting event, but also a platform to showcase the indomitable spirit of Nigerian youths.
Also speaking, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko, assured that the Commission is determined to take sports to the highest level, even as he said the festival will produce more sportsmen and women who will win laurels at the global level.
In his welcome remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Wasil Ishiaka, stated that the sports festival will imbibe the spirit of competition among the youth as well as change lives and build communities.
*Stanley Nkwocha*
*Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications*
*(Office of The Vice President)*
*18th May, 2025*
