*Declares games open
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, declared that sports has remained the number one unifying factor in Nigeria.
Declaring open the 14th Biennial Police Games tagged, “Oluyole 2024” at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, the President said the Nigeria Police Games is a great way of discovering sports talents in Nigeria.
Represented by Governor Seyi Makinde, President Tinubu in line with this, there is the need for more attention and properly package sports and entertainment sector in the country.
President Tinubu pointed out that this became imperative as we seek sustainable ways of solving our economic issues, saying, ” 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”.
” 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 Nigerian Police”, he said.
President Tinubu added, ” 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”.
” One of Nigeria’s gold medals was won by Nigerian Policewoman, Chioma Ajunwa. Today, she still holds the record, adding, “So, this shows how important the games are. It is a great way to discover and project talents to the world. I don’t expect anything less from the athletes that are in front of me here”.
Tasking participants from each zone and commands to put in their best, President Tinubu called on the residents of Oyo State to pay more attention to the sports and entertainment sectors so as to attract international communities to the state.
” Let me, once again, welcome everyone to the 14th Biennial Games, Oluyole 2024. The 13th edition was held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State but, today, it has moved to the South-West. Awalokan!
” 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”
He stressed, ” And what special way are we supposed to experience Oyo State, Nigeria, than through sports? So, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I declare this event open.”
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun in his remarks disclosed that the 14th Biennial Police Games in Ibadan has the theme “Competing for Peace, Unity, Stability and Development of Nigeria” and that the event is a unique sport competition to celebrate mental health, spirit of sportsmanship and unity in the country.
