Gbajabiamila Lights 26th NUGA Torch Amidst Fanfare
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday performed the lighting of the 2022 Nigeria Universities Games torch at the Sports Centre, University of Lagos, Akoka, amidst fanfare.
The opening ceremony also witnessed the march past by the participating universities while the students of UNILAG Staff School also performed callisthenics and danced.
Other dignitaries aside Gbajabiamila included the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, while Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was represented by Sola Aiyepeku.
Also present on the occasion were the Managing Director of GTco, Segun Agbaje; Pro-Chancellor, UNILAG, Dr Olanrewaju Tejuoso; Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto and the Vice-Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.
In his welcome address, Gbajabiamila described sports as a veritable tool for unification among different ethnic backgrounds and religions.
“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 78 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,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ogundipe, noted that as hosts, the Local Organising Committee had put all necessary things in place to ensure successful games.
“Today, we stand in the threshold of history to commence the 26th NUGA and the fourth of its kind to be hosted by UNILAG.
“We are here today because UNILAG believes in the mission of NUGA to provide a fertile ground for the emergence of well-rounded graduates, who are equipped for solid service to the nation, the continent and the world at large.
“That is why we spared no efforts in preparing for this day working diligently and round the clock via our LOC, we went all-out to mobilise human, financial and material resources to ensure a remarkable event,” he said.
The events for the 2022 NUGA are football, athletics, badminton, hockey, cricket, chess, judo, swimming, karate, squash, handball, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, basketball and boxing.
