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President Muhammadu Buhari Declares NSF Closed, As Delta State Emerged Overall winner
President Muhammadu Buhari has declared the 21st Edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Delta 2022″ closed, with Team Delta, the Defending Champion maintaining the lead as overall winner of the competition with 649 medals (320 gold, 200 silver and 120 bronze), while Bayelsa clinched the second position with 337 medals (132 gold, 115 silver, 90 bronze) and Edo, third with 339 medals (78 gold, 94 silver, 167 bronze).
While declaring the Festival closed today at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, the President congratulated the Team for its outstanding performance at the event and was quick to add that “as Sportsmen and women, we have been trained to accept defeat at a Sports event as a challenge to do better next time, therefore we are all winners. With that, I congratulate all the Athletes, Coaches, Technical and other Officials for making the Festival a memorable one”
Represented by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the President saluted the Government and people of the State for hosting the best National Sports Festival in recent times as well as for the high standard facilities provided for the Games.
“I salute the Government and people of Delta State for the successful organization of the best National Sports Festival. I commend His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and his team for the high standard of facilities provided for the Festival. I urge you to be creative in putting the facilities to good use that can generate revenue for the coffers of the State Government”.
He stated further that Sports has over the years proven to be an enabler for economic activities in the Host State and community, adding that it has also fast-tracked the provision of infrastructure and led to the development of new cities and therefore urged all States of the Federation and the FCT to continue to partner the Federal Government in its sports development efforts so that together as a nation, we can attain our sports development vision.
Following the evaluation of the bids and the physical visitation to the prospective States, President Muhammadu Buhari announced Ogun State as the next host for the National Sports Festival in 2024. He congratulated the Government and people of the State for emerging the preferred State and wished them the best of luck in the organization of the 22nd Edition of the Sports Festival.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting Delta State the opportunity to host the event and assured that the State will use the facilities on ground to genetate revenue for the development of sports and other competitions.
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, expressed satisfaction over the excellent performance of the athletes that made the State the leading champion.
The Governor wishes all athletes and officials safe journey back to their destination
Featured
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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