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President Buhari Declares 21st National Sports Festival Open
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared the 21st National Sports Festival tagged “Delta 2022” open with a charge to all participating athletes to compete fairly, shun all forms of anti-social behaviour and the use of performance-enhancing substances so as to come out magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat.
The President who gave the charge on Wedny at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, Delta State, disclosed that theceremony, is another landmark achievement of his administration in the area of sports development in the country.
The President who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, commended all the Stakeholders and Delta State Government in particular, for working assiduously to deliver a successful Festival that the nation can be proud of, calling on other States to emulate them.
He explained that since the inception of the National Sports Festival in 1973, was one of the measures that the Federal Government introduced in the aftermath of the civil war to renew the fabric of our social cohesion and to promote our common destiny as a people, stressing that the architects of the Festival recognized the unifying power of sports and sought to create a platform that would bring young Nigerians together in an edifying contest of wits, will and skill”
The President who thanked the Government and people of Delta State for keeping their promise of hosting the festival in line with the dreams of the founding fathers, such as General Yakubu Gowon, late Major General Henry Adefope, Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia among other illustrious patriots who brought this great event into being, noted that his administration believes in providing an enabling environment and equal opportunity for every Nigerian, irrespective of where he or she is from.
“This is one of the reasons why in the last two editions of the Festival, every restriction hitherto placed on the participation of Nigerians in the diaspora was expunged from the rule book, thus creating an opportunity for all Nigerians, wherever they are based in the world, to come home and participate in this biennial event.
He affirmed that the cardinal objective of his administration is the pursuit of youth development through initiatives that empower and create jobs as a lynchpin of our national development goals which is why the National Sports Industry Policy was approved by the Federal Executive Council.
Sports sector he added, must become a business from which we will reap untold dividends in employment, manufacturing, investments, and increased national productivity”.
He therefore called on the private sector to join hands with government in opening a new chapter in our sporting history by investing massively in this sector, stressing further that Sports can absorb the dynamic energies of our youth, give them a sense of purpose and pride and provide platforms for them to demonstrate their gifts on a global stage.
The President observed further that throughout its history, “the National Sports Festival has been the nursery and breeding ground of some of the most legendary names in the annals of our sports history. Super stars like Innocent Egbunike, Chidi Imoh, Henry Amike, Yusuf Ali, Davidson and Osmond Ezinwa, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya, Faith Idehen and Beatrice Utondu, among others, emerged through this Festival using it as a springboard to international stardom.
Many of these remarkable men and women, he said, went on to enjoy highly decorated careers as record breakers and record makers” and thus called on the athletes at this Festival, to follow the examples of these stars so as to achieve greater heights in history.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for granting the State the hosting rights for the 2022 edition of the Festival.
While assuring of a hitch-free Festival, Governor Okowa appreciated the Main and Local Organizing Committees for the months of sacrifice, dedication and planning with a view to meeting the aspirations of the Councils and Nigerians, as well as the preparations that have gone into making the occasion a success.
Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare stated that the National Sports Festival is the biggest sports fiesta in Nigeria, where both professional and home-based athletes converge to display their prowess as well as serve as one of the avenues where young talents are discovered and nurtured for the Podium.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of his Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Dare thanked the Delta State Government for accepting to host the Games as well as 36 States of the Federation and FCT for their participation and said that globally, sports has gone beyond recreational activities to business. “As such, his Ministry will work assiduously to ensure that sports in Nigeria has also reclassified to a business.”
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Executive Governors of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal, as well as the Chairman, House Committee on Sports, Hon. Olumide Osoba.
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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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