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Buhari To Declare Open 2020 NSF In Edo

Published

5 years ago

March 16, 2020

…Government will not stop NSF-Health Minister

Joel Ajayi

The 2020 edition of National Sports Festival NSF slated for 22nd March to 1st April in Edo State Capital South-South Nigeria would be declared open by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

Amongst other dignitaries include, National Assembly, State Governors, Commissioners of Sports, State Directors of Sports, President NOC, Sports Veterans are all lovers of sports.

To this end, the Federal Government has restated its affirmative actions towards containment and preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19; and resolved to host the Sports Festival tagged ‘ EDO 2020’ slated for 22nd March – 1st April 2020.

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, made this declaration during a Press Briefing in Abuja. Reinforcing the position of the Federal Government towards the hosting of the Unity Games in the present circumstance, the Minister categorically said ”As far as the Sports Festival is concerned, we shall recommend to the Organizers to screen everybody both participating and all the spectators, because at the moment we don’t see very strong threat internally.

Expatiating on this medical advice, Dr. Ehanire stated that ” we are not recommending a ban on everything unless the situation changes. Nevertheless, the precaution of making sure that everyone is screened is our focus. Those who are looking in any way suspicious will be disallowed entry straight away so that they don’t pose any kind of risk to others until their symptoms are clear. If the Organizers do that, I think there is no good reason not to hold the festival.

Continuing, the Minister of Health argued persuasively and stated that ” Every country takes measures that are consistent with its own situation. There are countries where the virus is spreading widely and they have been forced to cancel various activities whether it is business, trade fair, etc. We are not in that category, and we thank God.

As it is now, we have seen a couple of cases which we have been able to contain. If you don’t have very pressing reasons, you don’t have to start banning everything”

Recall that most recently, Dr. Osagie Ehanire declared during his widely transmitted update on television that the two suspected index cases have tested negative.

Corroborating the above submissions by the Health Minister on preventive and proactive measures, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare admonished all athletes and participating officials to abide with his advisory on the usage of Hand Sanitizers throughout the duration of the Sports Festival, as part of a wider safety steps/measures by the Main Organizing Committee on ”Edo 2020”; towards ensuring a secure, virus-free and successful games.

Furthermore, it is pertinent to state that Mr. Dare during his three states visit Asaba in Delta State en route Awka in Anambra, and finally to Benin City, Edo State; he met with the Local Organizing Committee ( LOC) to review the medical preparations for Edo 2020 Games, especially to review plans for the containment of any suspected case and possible spread of the virus. The Deputy Governor of Edo state was around to assist the Ministry as partners in a mission of actualizing national unity, stability and economic prosperity for our youths through the instrumentality of sports.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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