Like the opening ceremony of the Gateway Games, Ogun State National Sports Festival ended with a thrilling and scintillating closing ceremony that would be remembered as the most colourful and biggest ever organised event in the annals of the country, as different contingents return to their states with relishing memories.
Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, at the closing ceremony, held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, said his administration was determined to make sports a veritable tool that would unite all Nigerians.
Represented by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu submitted that sports was no longer a pastime, but an economic force, an instrument of unity and national integration, saying sports as a sector, would continue to be a driver of economic activity, job creation, tourism, health and national pride.
He further stated that, Sports could account for around two percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which he described as an opportunity for economic growth, saying it was expedient for government, schools private investors and corporate organisations to recognise sports, not as a leisure but as leverage for national development.
"This has truly been a festival of national unity and development. When you look at what the Governor, Dapo Abiodun has invested in the area of infrastructure for these games, you will see that our sports is on the right path," Tinubu said.
In his remark, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun promised to ensure the gains of the festival were sustained especially with the sporting infrastructure built for the games.
"We are truly fulfilled for hosting the entire country in the last few days and doing this has even inspired us to ensure we keep this momentum by ensuring the adequate maintenance of our sporting infrastructure for many years to come," he said.
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described the games as more than a festival of sports, saying it had been a triumph of unity, display of talents and show of national unity over the past two weeks as Nigeria’s sons and daughters drawn from every region and creed competed not just for medals, but for honour and to make friends.
The elder statesman, while commending Governor Dapo Abiodun for his leadership, commitment and unwavering dedication towards delivering not just a festival, but also a legacy, saying the NSF in Ogun indicated an unyielding hope of a strong, united and prosperous nation.
The Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko extended his heartfelt appreciation to all the stakeholders that ensure the success of the games.
"The NSC is very grateful to everyone that sacrificed day and night to ensure that we deliver a very good game with the festival. Our appreciation first goes to Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has also shown an inspiring path as a true sports leader," he submitted.
Delta State emerged the winners of the games and successfully defended the title they won two years ago in Asaba as host, with a total of 337 medals, out of which 126 are gold, 100 silver and 111 bronze, while the host State, Ogun finished second with 93 Gold, 65 silver and 80 bronze, leaving Bayelsa State finishing third with 92 Gold, 65 silver and 71 bronze medals.
To complete the top five, Rivers was fourth with 76 Gold, 58 silver and 65 bronze while Edo finished fifth with 73 Gold, 101 silver and 119 bronze medals.
Highlights of the closing ceremony were the musical performances from music icon, King Wasiu Ayinde, Afrobeats star, Wande Cole, while choreographers entertained spectators.
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