13 Tertiary Institutions to Battle for Honours in Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Athletics
By James Sani
LOKOJA — No fewer than 13 tertiary establishments in Kogi State will compete within the maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026, scheduled to start on Monday, October 26, because the state authorities steps up efforts to promote youth growth, uncover sporting skills and foster unity amongst college students.
The competitors will formally open at 11 a.m. on the Federal University Lokoja Sports Complex, in accordance to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Monday Anyebe, who disclosed this throughout a press briefing on preparations for the sporting competition.
Anyebe mentioned the video games would characteristic female and male athletes competing in soccer, basketball, volleyball and athletics, describing the initiative as a strategic funding in the way forward for Kogi youths.
He famous that sports activities remained a veritable software for character growth, social integration, self-discipline and expertise discovery, including that the competitors would supply a possibility to determine and nurture promising athletes for future nationwide and worldwide competitions.
The commissioner mentioned the initiative mirrored the dedication of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, with the help of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to strengthening sports activities growth and creating alternatives for younger individuals throughout the state.
The 13 collaborating establishments are Kogi State University, Kabba; Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba; Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute (KOICA), Lokoja; Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa; Kogi State College of Education (Technical), Mopa; Federal College of Education, Okene; College of Nursing (*26*), Obangede; Federal University Lokoja; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara; College of Agriculture, Kabba; and College of Health (*26*), Idah.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hon. Momoh Steven Azeez, mentioned preparations for the maiden version had lasted practically three months, masking venue preparations, mobilisation, funding and safety.
He urged media organisations to give the competitors sufficient publicity and take part within the opening ceremony, noting that the sporting competition would run for roughly two weeks, progressing by means of preliminary rounds, semi-finals and finals.
Azeez mentioned the video games would promote interplay amongst college students from completely different establishments whereas advancing the governor’s sports activities growth agenda. He recommended Ododo for supporting the initiative, describing it as a significant step in direction of strengthening sports activities within the state.
The Chairman of the Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026, Comrade Michael Joshua Achor, disclosed that enticing prizes can be offered to winners throughout the varied sporting classes.
He mentioned the athletics programme would characteristic the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres relay, including that particulars of the prize cash can be introduced sooner or later.
Explaining the idea behind the competitors, Achor mentioned the all-campus format was designed to recreate the ambiance of a sporting competition throughout the tertiary training neighborhood, giving college students alternatives to showcase their skills whereas constructing institutional satisfaction and camaraderie.
He, nonetheless, disclosed that some athletics occasions can be held at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, as a result of a number of collaborating establishments lacked customary services for such competitions.
The Director of Sports within the ministry, Mr. Paul Aje, additionally recommended the commissioner for driving the initiative, describing the video games as one other milestone in Kogi State’s sports activities growth efforts.
The maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games is predicted to carry collectively college students, sports activities directors and supporters for a two-week celebration of athletic expertise, wholesome rivalry and the unifying energy of sports activities.
