The Vice President of the Giant of Africa (Nigeria), Kashim Shettima, has reaffirmed the government’s renewed commitment to sports development at the official opening ceremony of the 22nd National Sports Festival, in the Gateway State (Ogun), themed “Gateway Games Ogun 2024.”
Representing President Bola Tinubu, VP Shettima emphasized the administration’s decision to resuscitate the National Sports Commission, reflecting the high priority the federal government places on sports as a powerful instrument for unifying the nation and nurturing national pride.
According to the Vice President, sports in Nigeria have grown far beyond the realm of competition or recreation. He said they now stand as a powerful expression of collective identity and a channel through which citizens, regardless of background, find shared purpose and hope.
“Sports are a national symbol — a fixture in the country’s social fabric that promotes unity, fosters discipline, and inspires the youth,” he added.
VP Shettima pointed out that sport has become embedded in the Nigerian way of life, saying it has served as a space for forging patriotism and strengthening social cohesion, as well as for developing the mental and physical character of its participants.
“Through initiatives like the festival and the return of the National Sports Commission, the government aims to harness the unifying force of sports to reinforce the spirit of togetherness and national progress,” he added.
