World News Update

 _stages an inspiring closing ceremony as Delta retains title_  Ogun State took the hosting of the National Sports festival to another new level after ending the Games with a breathtaking closing ceremony on Thursday at the MKO Sports Arena. After about two weeks of non stop competition, the closing ceremony had every element of a true global sporting spectacle.  From the quality of attendance, to the inspiring calisthenic display, to the musical performances and the different inspiring speeches of top government dignitaries, Thursday's closing ceremony has definitely raised the bar for future games. Unarguably no state seemed to have done it better to inspire thousands of Nigerian youths using the power of Sports, like Ogun state, and the show it displayed for both the opening and the closing ceremony, will leave a lasting legacy for a very long time. Delta state emerged the winners of the games and successfully defended the title they won two years ago in Asaba as host,...

This is me wishing the Special Adviser Media and Public Communications to Mr. President, Chief Sunday Dare, a heartfelt wishes on the occasion of his 59th birthday today. An astute, competent, hardworking, and charismatic trailblazer are some of the virtues that uniquely characterised the personality of Chief Sunday Dare, as he marks another year. As the former Minister of Sports , I remember how he pioneered some of the enabling policies that we are currently implementing today as part of our Renewed Hope initiative for Nigeria Sports Economy. His passion for sustainable sports development is one of the reasons the 22nd edition of the National Sports festival is held in Ogun State and today marking the closing ceremony of the Games rightly coincides with his 59th birthday. As a consultant I bidded for Ogun state to host the Sports festival and Chief Sunday Dare  then Sports Minister believed strongly in our bid and awarded us the hosting rights and today the games is drawing to a ...

Happy 59th birthday to Chief Sunday Dare, a true patriot and rare gem. Your dedication to public service and humility have made you a shining example for many. As Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, your expertise and passion have been invaluable assets to the nation. Your journey, marked by integrity and hard work, has inspired countless individuals. From your early days as a journalist to your current role, you have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Your ability to bring people together and foster collaboration has earned you respect and admiration. As Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development (2019-2023), you implemented policies promoting sports development and youth empowerment. Your tenure as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), showcased your exceptional leadership skills in managing interactions with public and private sector stakeholders. Throughout your ca...

 _As organisers promise another spectacle at closing ceremony on Thursday_  After 11 days of  a true showcase of sporting competition in multiple Sports by some of the country's top and even promising athletes, the curtain will finally be drawn on what many have described as one of the best ever organised National Sports festivals, when the closing ceremony is held on Thursday at the MKO Sports Arena in Abeokuta. Whilst the quality of the Games' opening ceremony is still getting tongues wagging, the entire sporting family and beyond is now anxiously looking forward to what the closing ceremony will look like. The last 11 days have showcased Ogun state as a true Sporting hub with potential to even do more, with the quality of the facilities built for the games and the enthusiasm of the people who made the various venues their second home in the last few days. A big testament to this was the history-making crowd that attended the male football final between Ogun state and K...

_As Young swimmer Abdujabal Adama gets enlisted into Elite programs_  Director General of the National Sports commission, NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade has revealed that highly rated Nigeria young swimming sensation AbdulJabar Adama has been enlisted into the Commission's Elite Program, under the Elite Athletes and Podium board. The Nigeria Aquatic Federation received the cheering news when the board presented the contingents that represented Nigeria at the 16th Africa Junior swimming Championships in Egypt to the Director General in Abeokuta on Tuesday, at the National Sports Festival. Nigeria had a successful campaign in Egypt securing three gold medals and a bronze, all courtesy of  17 year old Abduljabal Adama. Abduljabal broke the championship record in the 50m butterfly and the African record in the 50m freestyle. He also won the 100m freestyle. Nigeria later finished third overall behind South Africa and Egypt. The DG said swimming is becoming a very top Sports where Nigeria ...

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION (NSF) INTRODUCTION The Election of members into National Sports Federations (NSF) Boards is a critical process that impacts the governance, performance, and development of sports within a nation. In Nigeria the need for a robust, transparent, and credible election guideline is vital to the growth and repositioning of the Sports Sector in line with International best practices.  This election guideline outlines comprehensive details for the conduct of elections into the respective NSFs Boards recognized by the National Sports Commission (NSC) ensuring that only qualified, credible, and passionate individuals are elected to serve. The guideline spells out the composition of the respective NSF Boards, Eligibility of Membership, Election Regulations, Electoral Committees, Elections Petition Committee, Electoral Appeals Committee, Inauguration, etc.  The elections shall be conducted using these election guidelines, under the supervision of the National Sp...

 _Doles out financial incentives to Sports journalists_  The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Chief Bukola Olopade, was the cynosure of all eyes at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Novelty Match, at the ongoing 2024 Gateway Games in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The novelty match, organized by SWAN, brought together media professionals, key stakeholders, and sports enthusiasts in a spirited and symbolic football game aimed at promoting unity and celebrating the vital role of sports journalism in national development. Chief Olopade, renowned for his dynamic leadership and deep passion for sports, graced the occasion with his trademark energy and charisma. Demonstrating his commitment to unity, he played one half for the Southern Team and the other for the Northern Team—eventually aligning with the Northern Team, who clinched a 1-0 victory. His presence added color and prestige to the event, drawing admiration from players, spectators, and officials al...

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION  PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT  PRESS RELEASE  The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, has commended Ogun State for its outstanding hosting of the ongoing National Sports Festival, describing it as a game-changer for sports development in Nigeria. He called on other states aspiring to host future editions to emulate and improve on the standard set by Ogun. Speaking during a World Media Chat held at the Local Organizing Committee Secretariat, Dikko noted that the entire country is taking note of the impressive organization and swift handling of challenges during the festival. "This festival is a major improvement from previous editions," he said. "It is normal to experience hitches in events of this magnitude, but the prompt resolution of those issues shows great commitment. This edition will serve as a benchmark for future games." Dikko emphasized that the Commission, in line with the President's dir...

As the curtains fall on what will be remembered as a landmark moment in Nigerian sports, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the first-ever Esports Demonstration at the National Sports Festival a resounding success. For the first time in our nation’s history, Esports took its place at Festival. What many once called a possibility is now a reality witnessed, celebrated, and competed in by some of Nigeria’s brightest esports athletes. We are immensely grateful to the individuals and institutions who not only embraced this moment but elevated it. What began with a modest prize pool of ₦2 million was generously scaled to ₦10 million a clear testament to the belief esports matters. Our sincere appreciation goes to: • The Chairman of the National Sports commission , who contributed ₦4 million • The Director General of the National Sports Commission, who contributed ₦3 million to the prize pool • And the DG of the Lagos State Sports Commission, for an additional...

_As eSports makes historic debut at Sports Festival in Ogun state_  Chief Operating Office,COO, of the Nigeria Esports Federation, Damilola Pedro, says eSports has the capacity to lead the Sports Economy drive of the country as the Sports made history with its demonstration at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games. " Today at the National Sports Festival Gateway Games 2024, we are not just adding another game, we are making a very bold statement.  " Esports is taking the stage. And with it, so is the voice of an entire generation that has long been ignored, misunderstood, and underestimated".  " Because the numbers don't lie and so let me set the facts. The video game industry is worth over $180 billion, larger than the film and music industry combined".  " Over 3.3 billion people play games globally, with Africa projected to house the fastest-growing gaming population, and Nigeria being at the forefront of that conversation, with the...

After another exciting day across the various venues  at the National Sports Festival, Day 3 official medals table summary sees Bayelsa state leading the pack with a total of 6 Gold medals , 2 silver medals and 1 bronze medal. They are closely followed by Oyo state with a total of six medals, out of which 4 are  Gold ,1 silver and 1 bronze medal. Lagos is next on the table after Tuesday"s round of Games with 3 Gold , 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. In fourth position is cross river with only 3 Gold medals while Rivers state completes the top five with 2 Gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal. The Invited Junior Athletes, IJA,  are surely punching above their weights occupying the 6th position with 2 Gold medals , 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. Defending champion and competition"s favourite Delta state are in distant 7th after Day 3 round of games with just 1 Gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal. A total of 71 medals have been won so far at of which 23 are Gold , 23 are silver and 25 ...

 _urges more states to strive to host Sports festival_ The Director General of the National Sports commission, NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade has encouraged more states to host the National Sports festival, NSF because of it's vast gains to both state and National development. The DG stated this during his    first official Press Conference with journalists covering the 22nd National Sports festival, at the Media centre of the Games in  Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Olopade who commend the Sporting Media for their  reportage of the Games so far, said the gains of hosting an event of this magnitude cannot be correctly quantify in only naira and kobo because it is very huge. " You cannot under estimate the power of Sports. Sports deals with everything that has to do with development. From infrastructural development, to capacity building , entertainment and hospitality". " This is why you can't put in Naira and Kobo what the revenue value of this sort of event is.Spo...

The Invited Junior Athletes, IJA, have set an early marker at their first ever National Sports Festival in Ogun state after denying the Elite Athletes four medals already, by winning two Gold, one silver and one bronze medal within the first three days of the Games. Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur made history winning the two gold, one silver and one bronze in the 45kg women category. Chijioke claimed two gold medals in clean and jerk with the best lift of 82kg while Tekumbur, also claimed the bronze in clean and jerk. The National Sports Commission, NSC, has continued to receive plenty of accolades for the IJA initiative introduced to the Festival as the 38th State and the early performance of the junior  athletes within the first two days of the Games is already justifying the essence of the concept. The NSC introduced the Invited junior Athletes concept so that Nigeria can start having a unique and scientific transition system between the upcoming junior athletes and...

The National Sports Commission, NSC, has cautioned that registered athletes with antidoping issues cannot compete for scoring medals at the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024. The NSC made it clear after a strategic joint meeting of the Main Organising Committee and the Local Organising Committee of the Games on Monday. The commission announced that this is in line with global best practices and the World antidoping Agency ( WADA) code. NSC DG Hon Bukola Olopade charged all the participating states to take note of this and reiterates the Commission's commitment to ensuring that every athlete compete very clean. " The issue of antidoping is one important mandate of the Commission to ensure that Nigeria is devoid of drugs problems at both domestic and international competitions.  " We are happy now that the National antidoping law has finally been passed by our Sports loving President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the ripple effect of such a...

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Hon. Sunday Dare has commended the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for presenting a spectacular opening ceremony at the 22nd National Sports Festival. Dare, a former Youth and Sports Minister, who was in attendance at the Moshood Abiola Stadium for the opening ceremony praised the NSC leadership under Mallam Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade for delivering a memorable event while speaking with NSC Media Team, He described the ceremony as "a sparkling splendor" that showcased sports and unity.  "The opening ceremony was a sparkling splendor. A combustion of excitement as the stadium was filled up and the beautiful scenes unfolded.  The opening ceremony was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and several serving governors. Dare attributed the suc...

The Special Adviser to the President (Media and Public Communications), Chief Sunday Dare CON FNIS, attended the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival, held at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abeokuta, on Sunday 18th May 2025. Chief Sunday Dare joined the Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led the Federal Government delegation to the opening event yesterday in Abeokuta. The Presidential Spokesperson was the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, when Ogun State was officially granted the hosting rights for the festival—widely regarded as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics. The ceremony yesterday, amongst other dignitaries, also had in attendance, the Executive Governor of Ogun State Prince Dapọ Abiodun, as the host Governor, Ministers, State Governors, heads of government agencies and parastatals, together with the National custodians of Sports in the country, in the persons of Mr. Shehu Dikko and Hon. Bukola Olopade, as Chairman and DG National Sports Commission (NSC) re...

NATIONAL SPORTS COMMISSION  PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT  PRESS RELEASE  As the Games begin at the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, after a colourful and spectacular Opening Ceremony, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olapade, has met with state delegates, assuring them of a groundbreaking event that will set new standards in the history of the games. The entire sporting community in the country and beyond were thrilled with a spectacle embedded with a rich cultural display laced with World class performances from the likes of Davido and Asa as the Games begin with an Opening Ceremony of a World class standard. In his address, Hon. Olopade  highlighted core values such as love, focus, discipline, and unity as the essence of the National Sports Festival. He emphasized that the festival will not only be a celebration of sports but also a testament to integrity. “Let medals be won with honor, not by cro...

Organisers of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games, 2024, have announced that two of Nigeria's finest music Super stars Davido and Asa will perform live at the highly anticipated Opening ceremony of the Games at the MKO Sports Arena. After months of top preparations and planning the Opening ceremony of the Sports Festival will go down today, Sunday 18th at the MKO stadium in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital by 5pm. As part of activities to ensure the 2024 Gateway Games is one of the best organised festivals, World class activities and cultural displays have been lined up to light up the Games. Director General of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Hon Bukola Olopade who doubles as the Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the Games, said the stage is set for what is about to be the best organised Opening ceremonies in the history of the Festival. " This is our own Olympics and from start to finish, the festival must portray that global feel,  both i...