Sports

Thrilling Finish at 14th NNPC Sports Festival as Team Integrity Claims Top Spot

Published

11 months ago

December 6, 2025

…Ojulari Charges Staff to Make Company Proud at Oil Industry Games

Joel Ajayi

The 14th NNPC Ltd. Sports Fiesta ended on a spectacular note on Saturday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, with Team Integrity emerging overall champions after a week of intense competition and camaraderie.

Representing the Port Harcourt and Benin Zones, Team Integrity dominated the final medals table with an impressive 31 gold, 18 silver and 21 bronze medals, in addition to winning nine trophies to cement their top position.

They were followed by Team Sustainability (Abuja and Kaduna Zones), which finished second with 15 gold, 26 silver and 23 bronze medals, while Team Excellence (Lagos and Warri Zones) placed third, securing 13 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze medals.

Speaking at the colourful closing ceremony, the Group CEO of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, applauded the athletes for their brilliant performances, describing the fiesta as a strong demonstration of the Company’s values of resilience, teamwork, and excellence.

Ojulari said NNPC Ltd was already looking forward to defending its long-standing dominance at the 20th Nigeria Oil & Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) coming up in February 2026.

“Let the discipline you showed throughout these games elevate our performance; let the unity you built here strengthen our teamwork; let the excellence you demonstrated become our daily standard,”
— GCEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari

He expressed confidence that the top talents discovered at the Fiesta would strengthen the Company’s quest to remain the team to beat at NOGIG.

Also speaking, the Executive Vice President, Business Services, Sophia Mbakwe, said the performance level witnessed throughout the Fiesta was a strong indication that NNPC Ltd would not only participate at NOGIG but would make a bold and lasting impression.

The 14th edition, themed “Energy In Motion: Compete, Connect & Celebrate,” featured 450 athletes competing in 13 sports, reflecting the Company’s commitment to promoting employee well-being as a driver of productivity.

Athletes battled across football, basketball, volleyball, chess, squash, scrabble, 8-ball pool, golf, tennis, table tennis, badminton, swimming and athletics. The event also served as a talent-selection platform for NNPC Ltd’s team ahead of NOGIG, where the Company has remained a serial champion.

At the last edition of NOGIG held in 2024, NNPC Ltd finished as overall winners with 50 medals — 20 gold, 9 silver and 21 bronze.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Suleiman Suleiman, described the 2025 Fiesta as a resounding success, citing quality competition, strong staff bonding and adherence to discipline.

“It has been beautiful and fun. There’s been a lot of competition and bonding because NNPC Ltd is a very big family. This festival brings everyone together,”
— Suleiman Suleiman, LOC Chairman

He emphasized that discipline remained a top priority for the organizers and praised the athletes for upholding the Company’s values. Suleiman confirmed that 12 of the 13 sports had concluded with only the final volleyball match ongoing at the time.

Reflecting on the achievements of the Fiesta, he said all set targets were fully met, noting that the energy and unity displayed were a true reflection of NNPC Ltd’s identity as the nation’s premier energy provider.

On future improvements, he assured that the LOC was committed to building on the successes recorded.

Looking ahead, Suleiman announced that preparations had already begun for the next major event — the NMPCL Games, scheduled for February 2026 in Kaduna.

“With the support of management and the commitment of staff, the next edition will reflect the best of NMPCL,” he assured.

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Sports

NHF President Nkom, Prof. Agbo Attend 50th FIH Congress in Doha

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

President of the Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF), Engineer Simon Nkom, and NHF Board Member, Professor Ediga Agbo, are representing Nigeria at the landmark 50th Congress of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) in Doha, Qatar.

The congress brings together hockey leaders and administrators from across the world to deliberate on governance, policy direction and strategies for the future development of the sport.

Their participation provides Nigeria with an opportunity to engage with international stakeholders, exchange ideas and explore initiatives that can strengthen the growth and administration of hockey in the country.

Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Nkom said, “Our participation in this historic congress is an opportunity to learn from global best practices, build strategic relationships and identify initiatives that can contribute to the sustainable development of hockey in Nigeria.”

Agbo also emphasised the importance of translating international engagements into practical progress at home, saying, “The ultimate goal is to ensure that the knowledge and opportunities gained from this congress contribute meaningfully to the development of hockey in Nigeria, particularly in strengthening our structures and creating more opportunities for growth.”

The 50th FIH Congress marks a significant milestone for the international governing body, providing a platform for discussions and decisions that will shape the future of hockey globally.

For Nigeria, the engagement underscores the importance of international collaboration in advancing the sport, strengthening its administration and creating a sustainable pathway for hockey development across the country.

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