President Bola Tinubu has said that sports remained a tool for national integration and cohesion. He stated at the opening of the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Gateway Games’ 2024 holding in Abeokuta Ogun state. Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, said that for decades, sports had placed Nigeria on the global map for positive reasons.

He said that nothing had brought Nigerians together like sport whether on the pitch, or on the tracks. In his address, Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun urged Nigerians to use sporting activities to foster peaceful co-existence in the country. 

He affirmed his commitment to building a future where talent would be nurtured, hardwork rewarded, while the state remained a beacon of excellence. Chairman of NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko, commended the Ogun government for accepting to host the festival, which according to him, and demonstrated its commitment towards sports development.