Tinubu Launches National Sports Festival, Urges Participants to Compete Honestly.
President Bola Tinubu officially inaugurated the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, dubbed “Gateway Games 2024,” held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Sunday.Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu urged participating athletes to compete with integrity and in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
The opening ceremony took place at the main arena of MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta. Attendees included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, governors of Anambra, Osun, and Ekiti States—Prof. Charles Soludo, Dapo Abiodun, and Biodun Oyebanji—as well as Senator Ademola Adeleke. Other distinguished guests comprised the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade; former Ogun State governors Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who is currently representing Ogun East in the Senate; former international footballer Dr. Segun Odegbami; and numerous political leaders and sports enthusiasts from across Nigeria.
The festival, expected to feature over 10,000 athletes, runs from May 16 to 30, 2025.During the opening, Tinubu emphasized that sport is the heartbeat of Nigeria’s unity, stating, “Nothing unites Nigeria like sport.”
He highlighted the government’s commitment to sports as a way of life, notably reorganizing sports administration into an autonomous National Sports Commission to eliminate political interference. “We want sports to thrive as an independent, innovative, and focused sector because we recognize its vital role in making Nigeria healthier, stronger, and more united,” he declared.
Tinubu reaffirmed that sport is a powerful force for national cohesion, saying, “Whether on the pitch, court, or track, sport reminds us that we are compatriots, united by our shared pride and roots.”Governor Dapo Abiodun described the event as a world-class, Ogun-standard opening, emphasizing that hosting the National Sports Festival is not only an honor but also a reflection of Ogun State’s dedication to national development.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, commended Ogun State for hosting the festival, viewing it as a symbol of the state’s commitment to sports development.
He noted that sports serve as a vital tool to celebrate Nigeria’s diversity and unity.Dikko praised President Tinubu’s leadership, particularly his bold move to reorganize the sports sector into the National Sports Commission, which lays the foundation for sustainable professional growth in Nigerian sports.
He affirmed that this decision positions sports as a significant contributor to the economy and praised Tinubu’s futuristic vision and willingness to make bold decisions for the collective good.
In a notable innovation, the festival introduced the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA), with over 200 young athletes participating—an initiative aligned with the federal government’s agenda.Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the NSC, expressed confidence that Gateway Games 2024 would be the most successful in Nigeria’s history, predicting it will unveil many hidden talents and produce future champions. She also commended Governor Abiodun for his unwavering support, recalling her personal connection to the event, having previously competed on this very stadium’s track 19 years ago. Olopade concluded by stating, “We are convinced this will be the best festival Nigeria has seen, and it will produce many champions.”