President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially flagged off the Torch of Unity movement, marking the commencement of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway 2025.
The ceremony, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, saw the President express his excitement about the upcoming festival, describing it as a unifying force for the nation and a breeding ground for exceptional sporting talent.
“This festival is more than just a competition among athletes; it embodies the unity of our nation. Every effort put into it reaffirms our collective resolve to remain united through sports”, President Tinubu stated.
Reiterating his administration’s commitment to sports development, he urged Nigerian youth to seize the opportunity provided by the festival to foster interaction, peaceful coexistence, and talent discovery.
“Since its inception, the National Sports Festival has served as a vital platform for interaction among Nigerians and an avenue for states to showcase their talents. My administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for sports infrastructure development and nurture the youth to thrive in the country.”
The President commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission and the organizing committees for their dedication in ensuring a successful event. He also called on both the private and public sectors to actively participate in the development of sports in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun assured Nigerians of the state’s readiness to host a memorable festival, emphasizing that hosting the event is a significant responsibility that must be fulfilled.
The Governor described the Torch of Unity as not just a symbol of the festival but also a representation of the nation’s collective identity.
“The National Sports Festival has long been a beacon of national integration. Hosting the festival at this time is an honor for our state, as it remains a vital tool for unifying the country,” Governor Abiodun stated.
He expressed gratitude to the National Sports Commission for granting Ogun State the opportunity to host the festival and pledged an excellent execution of the event.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, emphasized that the Torch of Unity movement marks not just the beginning of a sporting event but also the dawn of a new era of hope and shared prosperity for Nigerians, particularly the youth.
“As we flag off this ceremony today, we are not just launching a sporting event; we are ushering in an era of renewed hope and excitement for all Nigerians”, he said.
The Torch of Unity will travel across all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), before arriving in Ogun State, the host of the festival.
Dikko further explained that the National Sports Festival serves as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, where the country’s best athletes are identified and prepared for international competitions. He urged all participating athletes to uphold discipline, fair play, and sportsmanship.
“The success of the National Sports Festival requires collective determination to exhibit fair play and sportsmanship”, he added.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission applauded President Tinubu for his bold decision to restructure the sports sector by establishing the National Sports Commission, aimed at transforming sports from a competition-driven activity into a production-based industry aligned with global standards.
He unveiled the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) framework, designed to reshape the sports ecosystem through the 3R Initiative which includes: Reset – Transitioning sports from a purely competition-driven sector to a production-based industry. Refocus – Implementing deliberate and strategic reforms for sustainable development. Relaunch – Creating positive narratives that promote national unity and collective pride.
The Chairman assured that the National Sports Festival aligns with this framework and praised Ogun State for embracing the vision of the President in hosting the festival.
With the Torch of Unity now set to journey across the nation, all eyes are on Ogun State, as the state promises to make the festival a spectacular edition of the National Sports Festival.
Signed
Kehinde Ajayi (Mrs), FCAI, ANIPR
Director (Information and PR)
