Sports
Federal Government Reaffirms Support for Sports to Foster Peace, Unity, and Youth Engagement
By Joel Ajayi
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has restated the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to harnessing sports as a vital instrument for national unity and youth empowerment.
Speaking at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the 2024 Kingdom Unity Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Senator Akume—represented by his Senior Technical Advisor, Professor Bolaji Bernard—commended the organisers for initiating a timely and impactful project.
“On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to express our appreciation to the organisers of this remarkable event, especially Ambassador Solomon and the Chairman of the Kingdom Sports Centre, General Dimosa,” he said.
Professor Bernard noted that the initiative strongly aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has consistently demonstrated commitment to youth development through sports and other platforms that nurture talent and inspire hope.
“This initiative resonates with our national agenda. The President believes in empowering young people and fostering unity through strategic avenues like sports,” he added.
Citing recent sporting successes—including the Super Falcons, D’Tigress, and the “Survivors” who reached the finals of the 2024 African Cup—he attributed such achievements to the support of a responsive and visionary government.
He further stressed the importance of partnerships across government, corporate bodies, and NGOs to unlock the full potential of Nigerian youth.
“We fully support initiatives like this and encourage private individuals and organisations to contribute to youth and sports development. General Dimosa and the Kingdom Sports Stars team have shown remarkable passion and dedication,” he noted.
Sharing a personal touch, Professor Bernard admitted that the enthusiasm at the stadium was infectious:
He concluded by underlining the unifying spirit of sports:
“When it comes to sports, religion and ethnicity disappear—whether Muslim, Christian, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, or from any background—we come together as Nigerians. That is the true spirit we must preserve and promote.”
Speaking after the final, the convener of the Kingdom Unity Games, Ambassador Solomon Omonokhua, reiterated the vision behind the initiative. “This competition is about much more than football. It is about building bridges between churches, fostering peace and unity in the country, and most importantly, providing a platform for our youth to showcase their gifts. We are hopeful that some of the players here will catch the eye of scouts and clubs, and in turn, bring pride to Nigeria,” he said.
The Kingdom Unity Games, a grassroots sporting initiative, was conceived to promote national cohesion, engage young people, and empower communities through athletics and recreational activities.
On the final day, Team Dunamis FC made history as the first-ever champions of the tournament. They stunned ECWA Wumba with a goal from the opening kick and, despite intense pressure from their opponents, held firm to secure victory and lift the maiden trophy.
Earlier, ECWA Kwali clinched third place with a narrow 1–0 win over ECWA Karasana in a keenly contested playoff.
Organisers affirmed that beyond the football action, the Games represent a platform for peace-building, talent discovery, and the strengthening of bonds across faith groups and communities in Nigeria.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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