By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed the state’s commitment to unity, youth development, and national integration through sports as he received the Torch of Unity for the upcoming 22nd National Sports Festival.
The symbolic handover took place on Monday at the State House in Ikeja, with the Governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
Sanwo-Olu praised the National Sports Festival as a vital platform for talent discovery, youth empowerment, and the promotion of sportsmanship across Nigeria.
“This biennial multi-sport event discovers and nurtures our best athletic talents while fostering national unity, sportsmanship, and healthy competition,” the governor stated.
He highlighted the significance of the torch relay tradition, which he described as a cherished symbol of peace and unity.
The Torch of Unity, which was flagged off by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on March 25, has been carried across all states in the federation and is en route to Ogun State, host of the 2025 edition of the festival.
The 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged “The Gateway Games Ogun 2025”, is scheduled to take place from May 16 to 30, 2025.
Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that the event would be a “spectacular celebration of talent, resilience, and unity.”
Calling on Lagos residents to support the festival, he said, “Let us rally behind this noble cause and demonstrate through our hospitality that sports remain a powerful vehicle for national integration and development.”
Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, emphasized the government’s inclusive agenda, noting that the festival aligns with the THEMES+ development strategy, which promotes social inclusion, gender equality, and empowerment for all, including persons with disabilities.
Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, introduced the new team slogan, “Team Lagos Best Ever,” and underscored the importance of the event in promoting resilience, unity, and youth potential.
Team Leader Ikana Mbora noted that the torch relay serves as a tool for preaching unity among Nigerian youth and fulfills the presidential mandate to use sports as a platform for national cohesion.
The Torch of Unity’s passage through Lagos marks another step toward the much-anticipated sports festival in Ogun State, reinforcing the power of sports to unite and inspire the nation.