Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Saturday, declared open the 14th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA) tagged, Oluyole 2024, stating that sports has remained the number one unifying factor in the country.
Declaring the event open at the Lekan Salami Sport Complex, in the Adamasingba area of Ibadan, Oyo State, President Tinubu, who was the Special Guest of Honour, noted that the Nigeria Police Games has over the years been a great way of discovering talents and he expected nothing less from the 14th edition.
The president, who was represented by the Governor of Oyo State and host of the event, Seyi Makinde, reminisced on how a police officer, Chioma Ajunwa, won a gold medal for Nigeria at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
“Sports has been a uniting factor for us all. One of the most unifying moments we remember as a nation was the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, where Nigeria won two gold, one silver and three bronze medals,” he said.
“One of Nigeria’s gold medals was won by Nigerian Policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa. Today, she still holds the record.”
Speaking in his dual capacity, Makinde, who had earlier been commended by the Nigeria Police for deploying resources and logistics towards the success of the event, said it was only proper that the BIPOGA is held in Oyo State. Makinde called Oyo a place the new destination for experiential tourism in the country.
“It is fitting that Oyo State is hosting this edition in the first year of Omituntun 2.0. As you already know, we are projecting Oyo State as the place to come for experiential tourism,” Governor Makinde said.
“And what special way are we supposed to experience Oyo State, Nigeria, than through sports? So, this shows how important the games are. It is a great way to discover and project talents to the world.”
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The governor charged the participants from each zone and commands to put in their best, calling on residents of Oyo State to pay more attention to the sports and entertainment sectors so as to attract international communities to the state.
“As we seek sustainable ways of solving our economic issues, we must pay attention to and properly package sports and entertainment sectors so that the international community can come to us to enjoy our home-grown tourism,” Makinde added.
“I believe that games like these have the potential to boost our economy. These games also give us an opportunity to see another side of the friendly and competitive side of the Nigeria Police.”
Earlier in his address, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stated that the 14th Biennial Police Games in Ibadan has the theme, “Competing for Peace, Unity, Stability and Development of Nigeria”.
He noted that the event is a unique sports competition to celebrate spirit of sportsmanship and unity in the country. Egbetokun expressed deep gratitude to the Oyo State governor for providing the platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage, vibrant economic potential and the state of the art sporting facilities in the state, to the world.
In his goodwill message, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Bamidele Alabi, said sport is an avenue to foster unity. He disclosed that the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police have continued to work tirelessly to sustain peace in the country.
The opening ceremony featured parades from the seventeen zones and the headquarters of the Nigeria Police, hoisting of the Games’ flag and cultural displays, among others.
The event had in attendance, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo; the Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of Oluyole 2024, Segun Ogunwuyi; and the Oyo State Head of Service, Olubunmi Oni (mni), among others.
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