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FAAN awards engineering directorate N500,000 for winning 2025 games
… I’m committed to staff welfare, development, Kuku says
By Chinelo Obogo
The Directorate of Engineering Services (DES) of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) won ₦500,000 cash prize for emerging champions of the 2025 FAAN Inter-Directorate Sports Competition.
At the event which took place this week in Lagos, the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) won ₦300,000 as the first runners-up, while N200,000 went to the Directorate of Human Resources and Administration that emerged second runners up.
The Managing Director of FAAN, who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, commended all participants for their energy and unity. He said the 2025 games demonstrated the strength and resilience of FAAN’s workforce.
“What began days ago as a contest of strength, skill, and endurance has blossomed into a remarkable display of unity, teamwork, and the indomitable FAAN spirit. This event is not just about winning medals, it is about strengthening the bond that ties us together as one FAAN family,” Kuku said.
She commended the Director of Human Resources and Administration alongside the General Manager of Welfare and Management Services for their leadership and commitment to staff welfare. Kuku noted that the sports competition reinforced camaraderie and boosted morale across FAAN’s directorates.
“Permit me to commend all volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this competition safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone,” she added.
During the games, the DES defeated the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) 2-1. Bashir opened scoring for DES in the 29th minute, followed closely by Ibrahim’s strike two minutes later. A brief lapse in DES defence allowed DFA to pull one back in the 42nd minute through Suleman Usman. However, the Directorate of Engineering Services maintained composure to secure the title.
The Murtala Muhammed Airport Staff School Sports Complex buzzed with excitement as directors, top management, and staff gathered to witness the closing ceremony. The 4:00 p.m. kickoff celebrated weeks of friendly contests across football, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, and chess. Applause and cheers filled the air as DES was crowned overall football champion.
Beyond football, DES also distinguished itself in other sporting categories. In swimming, Caleb Nnamani of the Directorate of Human Resources and Administration (DHR&A) won the men’s breaststroke, while Oyedele Philips from the Directorate of Commercial and Business Development (DCBD) and Ikwulono Ochonye of DES placed second and third respectively. In the women’s breaststroke, Nwoke Goodness of DCBD clinched gold, followed by Amushie Ogechi of DHR&A and Philip Sabina of DFA.
DFA recorded success in table tennis as Timothy Ayinde claimed the men’s singles title, beating Babatunde Adedeji of the Directorate of Airports Operations (DAO) and Hassan Sadiq of DHR&A. In the women’s table tennis final, Jessica Oguechuba of DFA triumphed, while Mann Suliat Omotola of DHR&A and Akinwunmi Ifeoluwa of the Directorate of Aviation Security Services (DASS) finished second and third.
DAO shone in lawn tennis, with Abdu Gabriel and Yusuf Odudu securing first and second places, and Bello Kabir of DES taking third. The chess events were equally intense as directorates competed fiercely for supremacy. In chess rapid, Ojo of DASS took gold ahead of Idiakhoa Efe of DAO and Okondo Kehinde of the Directorate of Security Services (DSSD). Ojo repeated his dominance in chess blitz, winning another gold, while Ogunfuye Adewole of DSD and Okemusi Elizabeth of the Directorate of Administration and Services (DAS) settled for silver and bronze.
In his closing remarks, Agbebire, representing the Managing Director, encouraged staff to carry the same unity and sportsmanship into their daily work. “As we celebrate today’s champions, let us remember that the true victory lies not just in the trophies, but in the friendships built and the spirit of togetherness rekindled,” Kuku emphasised.
