October 25, 2022

Flag-Off Ceremony For The Movement Of The “Torch Of Unity, ” – 21st National Sports Festival (Delta 2022) On 25/10/2022

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SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE FLAG-OFF CEREMONY FOR THE MOVEMENT OF THE TORCH OF UNITY FOR 21ST NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL (DELTA 2022), AT THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA ON THE 25TH OF OCTOBER, 2022

 

PROTOCOLS

 

Let me, first of all, express my delight on this occasion of the flag-off ceremony for the Movement of the Torch of Unity for the 21st Edition of the National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Asaba, Delta State from November 28 to December 10 2022.

 

The Torch of Unity which heralds the festival symbolizes the peace and unity of Nigeria. It is also meant to create awareness of the festival amongst Nigerians and the world at large.

 

The National Sports Festival is a crucial activity in the sporting life of our country. It is the breeding ground or engine room for the production of the very many outstanding talents that will go on to become world champions.  Some of the great champions who we know today were discovered at various National Sports festivals including the likes of Blessing Okagbare. A world medalist in the 200 meters, Olympic and World Championships Medalist in the Long Jump.

 

Chioma Ajunwa, is notable for being the first Nigerian to win Gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Also, the first black African woman to win an Olympic Gold medal in a field event.

 

We have Olusoji Adetokunbo Fasuba, he was the African record holder and Gold Medalist in the 100 meters event with 9.85 seconds until Akani Simbine broke it in July 2021 with a time of  9.84 seconds.

 

Lucy Ejike a Gold Medalist and World Record Holder at the Paralympic Games from 2000 in Sydney through 2021 in Tokyo.

 

Enefiok Udo-Obong is the only Nigerian to win two Olympic Bronze medals in 4×400 meters Relay and Silver Medals in Long Jump.

 

And of course, the now legendary Tobi Amusan, OON, the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the 100m hurdles. She is also the record holder in the three competitions. All of these stars came out of the National Sports Festival, and we looking forward to a more successful hurl of great stars at this National Sports Festival.

 

We are is still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the just concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

 

The performance of Team Nigeria clearly demonstrates that the progressive agenda of the Federal Government, led by the Sports Ministry for the sports sector is yielding the desired results. We are committed to supporting the sports sector to sustain the height already attained as well as realize our overall goal of using sports as a veritable tool to meaningfully engage our teeming youth population and also uniting our country is a very sound objective to continue to pursue on a regular basis.

 

Let me commend the Hon. Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, very hardworking and dedicated, who has done very well and we are looking forward to greater things.

 

I would like to congratulate the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the people of Delta State for accepting to host the festival, which is the Nigerian version of the Olympic Games that showcases and nurtures potential for the growth and development of sports in Nigeria.

 

As we look forward to greater sporting achievements for our nation, it is my special privilege and honor to ignite and flag off the Movement of the Torch of Unity for the 21s National Sports Festival, “Delta 2022.”

 

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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