By Michael Adesanya/Abeokuta
Over 10,000 athletes and coaches have gathered in Ogun State as President Bola Tinubu on Sunday night officially declared open the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Abeokuta, the State capital.
Cityvoice reports that this is the second time Ogun is hosting the National Sports Festival. The first of it was held in the State in 2006 during the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel who built stadia across four zones of the state.
The exciting ceremony at the MKO Abiola Arena, Kuto with thrilling performance and display by notable names in the entertainment industry such as ASA attracted the elder statesman and former president of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Onabanjo, former governor Olusegun Osoba, Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludaisi Elemide, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, participants, including the defending champions – Team Delta and Team Lagos, Team- Bayelsa, host team Ogun, among other participating states.
Tinubu who travelled to Rome, Italy on Saturday for the Sunday inauguration of the new Catholic pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, was represented at the game opening ceremony by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.
The Vice-President Shettima was accompanied by governors Charles Chukwuma Soludo(Anambra), Senator Ademola Adeleke(Osun), Hope Uzodinma(Imo) Senators Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), Sen. Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central) and Sen. Solomon Adeola (Ogun West) and members of House of Representatives from Ogun State.
He urged the participating athletes to compete favourably with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship.
In his address at the event tagged: “Gateway 2024,” he expressed the optimism that the symbolic ‘Torch of Unity’ lit at the begining of the competition would serve noble purposes beyond the national unity.
President Tinubu acknowledged that sports has for several decades placed Nigeria on the global stage, through which the country has been able to walk taller among comity of nations.
He lauded the organisers of the festival, particularly the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Director – General, Bukola Olopade for their renewed hope initiative for Nigeria’s sports economic framework.
Tinubu also commended the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the hospitality which the participating youths have enjoyed since their arrival in the state for the festival.
He stressed that Ogun State has further consolidated itself as not only the Gateway to knowledge, but one encompassing the desires of the nation.
Earlier in his welcome address, Abiodun said Ogun State was hosting the festival to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to national development.
Abiodun disclosed that Ogun State was currently hosting over 10, 000 athletes and coaches and assured all of safety and warm reception in the state.
He allayed the fear of insecurity, revealing that in conjunction with the National Sports Commission (NSC), his administration has put in place very effective security arrangements to guaranty the safety of every participant.
