Speaker, Minister, Vice-Chancellor, Others Declare 26th NUGA 2022 Open

The honourable Speaker, House of representative, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Vice-Chancellor University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe have performed the lighting of the 2022 Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) torch at the Sports Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), amidst fanfare and pleasantries.

Voice of Nigeria (VON) reports that the kick off of the 26th NUGA was marked by a colourful opening ceremony and march past by the participating universities led by UNILAG contingents and University of Ibadan (UI) in a celebrating mood and delightfulness.

In his welcome address, Femi Gbajabiamila described sports as a veritable tool for unification among different ethnic background and religion.

“We have here men and women who are ready to showcase their talents as I did in some years past, when I was a student in UNILAG.

“About 80 universities and more than 10,000 athletes and officials are gathered here because sports is a universal language understood by many across lines.

“In days to come, we will be seeing talents evolving and there is no doubts in my mind about the university that will come tops, my only worry is about the university that will be in the second place.

“Sure, we know that `Lagos no dey carry last’. Furthermore, I have seen sports as a means of development and unity, that brings everyone together,” Gbajabiamila, said.

According to the minister of Youth and sports Sunday Dare, he was excited that the Games were returning after seven years and urged participating athletes to show the spirit of sportmanship and complete cleanly throughout the competition.

Also the Vice Chancellor of the host institution, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the institution is proud to host the Games 24 years after it last hosted.
He assured that all was in place to ensure a hitch-free tournament.

The President of Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), Prof Stephen Hamafyelto, has said that delegates for the upcoming World University Games in China will be selected from the participants of NUGA games 2022.

Hamafyelto said this at the formal opening ceremony of the NUGA games 2022 hosted by University of Lagos of first choice and nation’ s pride. (UNILAG) The 12-day event which began March 16 and ends March 27, brings together 14,000 delegates from 75 Nigerian universities.

Other dignitaries included Pro-Chancellor, UNILAG, Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso, while Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was represented by Sola Aiyepeku.

Also present on the opening ceremony were the Ogun State Deputy Governor, Managing Director of GTCO, Segun Agbaje among many others.

Nnenna.O