Sports

NUGA 2022: Vice President Osinbajo Receives Torch of Unity

Published

5 years ago

February 11, 2022

… Sports Minister reiterates Government ‘s Commitment to Varsity Games

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe and some members of the Organizing Committee of the Unilag 2022 NUGA games have presented the event’s Torch of Unity to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

At an elaborate ceremony held at the Vice President’s Conference Room at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, Professor Osinbajo and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare commended the University of Lagos for reviving the games and creating some excitement around it.

The Vice President, an alumnus and former lecturer at the University, expressed his delight at the preparations made for the NUGA games, hoping that it surpasses the organization put in place when it last hosted in 1998.

“I am delighted to be receiving this Torch of Unity. I thank the hardworking Vice-Chancellor of Unilag, Professor Ogundipe.

“I remember the last time Unilag hosted the games, that was 24 years ago, in 1998. It was very colourful and very well organised. I believe a top quality games will be delivered yet again.”

Reeling out names of notable student athletes like Olusoji Fasuba, Bisi Afolabi, Vincent Enyeama, Chika Chukwumerije, Precious Dede, Nkiru Okosieme, Adeolu Adekola, Mutiu Adepoju, Seyi Olofinjana, Edema Fuludu, Edith Agoye and Olumide Oyedeji discovered during the NUGA Games, who later become world class sports men and women, the Vice President described NUGA as an important platform for talent discovery.

He also urged the athletes to exhibit the spirit of true sportmanship.

In his own remarks, the Sports Minister Sunday Dare charged the Organizing Committee to put together a competition that every stakeholder would be proud of.

Dare also pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to grassroots sports development, believing that young talents would be unearthed at the competition.

The Vice-Chancellor Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe promised that the Unilag 2022 NUGA games will be used to project the culture of excellence and hospitality of Lagos State and Nigeria.

The games are scheduled to hold between March 16-26, 2022.

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Sports

Drogba, Amuneke, Eguavoen Lead African Legends’ Arrival in Lagos

Published

14 hours ago

November 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With just one day to the much-anticipated Legends of Africa Football Game, Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba has arrived in Lagos, joining an impressive assembly of former African internationals already in the city ahead of Sunday’s star-studded encounter.

Drogba’s arrival further heightens anticipation for the game, which will bring together some of the continent’s most celebrated football figures at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Also in Lagos are Nigerian football greats Mobi Oparaku, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Austin Eguavoen and Mutiu Adepoju, alongside other members of the legendary Super Eagles generations of 1994 and 1996.

The African contingent also features distinguished names including Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor, Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf, Ghana’s Stephen Appiah and Cameroon’s Rigobert Song, among other former international stars.

The excitement will extend beyond the legends’ reunion, with popular Nigerian entertainers and celebrities preparing for a special Celebrity Match as part of the event. Yhemolee, Sheggz, Jeriq, Teddy A and Charles Okocha are among the personalities set to feature in the celebrity fixture, scheduled to begin at 1:30pm.

The Celebrity Match will form part of a wider programme of activities designed to give fans a full day of football, entertainment and celebration before the main legends’ fixture, which kicks off at 5pm. Gates open at 1:30pm.

Organized by Toptier Sports Management in collaboration with Afreximbank and CANEX as part of CANEX WKND 2026, the game will feature 15 Nigerian legends taking on 13 African icons in a celebration of the players whose achievements helped shape the history of football on the continent.

Beyond the match, the programme includes a football clinic involving 500 young players, entertainment and special recognition for the heroes of African football.

The Legends of Africa Football Game promises a memorable gathering of football royalty, bringing together generations of fans to celebrate the enduring legacy of the continent’s finest players.

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