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GFN Festival Will Inspire Young Gymnasts, Create Pathways — President

Published

5 days ago

September 26, 2026

Joel Ajayi

The President of the Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria (GFN), Prince Kelvin Erhunwunse, has said the Federation’s Catch Them Young initiative will help raise future gymnasts while creating opportunities for Nigerian youths to develop their talents and pursue careers in sports.

Erhunwunse stated this on Saturday in Abuja tat the 3rd North-Central Regional Catch Them Young Gymnastics Festival, organised by the GFN and National Sports Commission (NSC), in conjunction with the Turkish Gymnastics Federation (TGF).

The festival, themed “Building Bridges, Renewing Hope for Future Generations,” is aimed at establishing gymnastics clubs in public and private schools to increase grassroots participation and expose young athletes to national and international opportunities, including scholarship programmes.

According to Erhunwunse, the initiative is structured into three levels — Level One Foundation, Level Two Development and Level Three Advancement — to provide young participants with progressive training and development.

He said the programme was also designed to support the development of about 30,000 gymnasts across Nigeria, while providing schools with opportunities to access gymnastics equipment and encouraging the establishment of more clubs.

The GFN president said the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the areas of youth development, sports development, employment creation and the discovery of talents from the grassroots.

He urged parents, schools and coaches to give the young athletes the necessary support, noting that some of the children participating in the programme could eventually represent Nigeria at major international competitions.

Erhunwunse also expressed appreciation to the participating schools, parents and partners, particularly the Turkish International School, for supporting the initiative.

Speaking at the event, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, commended the GFN for organising the programme, describing it as an important grassroots development initiative designed to “catch them young.”

Gumel said the children participating in the festival could become future Olympians and medal winners at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and African Games if they received proper training, education and support.

He urged coaches to give the young gymnasts adequate attention and professional training, stressing the need to create the right environment for them to develop their potential.

The NOC president also expressed satisfaction with the progress being made in Nigerian gymnastics, saying the GFN’s collaboration with the NOC and NSC would help advance the sport.

He expressed hope that Nigerian gymnastics would participate in the qualification process for the 2028 Olympic Games and wished the athletes and organisers success.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, represented by Mrs Rita Mosindi, said gymnastics goes beyond sporting competition, as it teaches children discipline, balance, courage, concentration and perseverance.

She described the young participants as potential future champions, coaches, sports administrators and disciplined citizens who could contribute positively to the country.

Olopade commended the GFN leadership, coaches, parents and other stakeholders for investing in the development of young athletes.

He encouraged the children to believe in themselves, listen to their coaches, work hard and remain resilient, noting that falling and rising again are important parts of both gymnastics and life.

The NSC DG reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting programmes that introduce children to sports early, identify talents and provide opportunities for them to develop their potential.

He also urged the GFN to continue creating programmes that would make gymnastics accessible to more Nigerian children across the country.

The festival brought together young gymnasts, coaches, parents, schools and sports stakeholders, with organisers expressing optimism that the initiative would strengthen grassroots gymnastics development and open new pathways for Nigeria’s future sporting talents.

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Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran

Published

7 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.

In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.

According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.

“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.

The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.

“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.

The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.

“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.

Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.

The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.

“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.

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