By James Sani
LOKOJA — The maiden Governor Ododo All-Campus Games kicked off in Lokoja on Monday amid fanfare and pleasure, as Kogi State Polytechnic edged out Federal University Lokoja 1–0 within the opening soccer fixture.
The opening ceremony, held on the Sports Complex of the Federal University Lokoja, Adankolo Campus, attracted prime authorities officers, representatives of collaborating establishments and college students for the sporting competitors involving 13 tertiary establishments throughout Kogi State.
Representing Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mrs Folashade Arike Ayoade, described sports activities as greater than recreation, noting that the sector presents alternatives for financial empowerment, expertise discovery and poverty discount.
She conveyed the governor’s message urging college students from the collaborating establishments to make use of the competitors to advertise unity, alternate concepts and construct lasting relationships able to contributing to the event of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo additionally counseled the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Aridaojo Monday Anyebe (HAMA), for his efforts in direction of advancing sports activities improvement within the state, urging him to maintain the momentum.
In his welcome tackle, Anyebe stated the video games had been designed to carry college students collectively, encourage wholesome competitors and strengthen collaboration amongst tertiary establishments.
He added that the competitors would offer a platform for figuring out rising sporting skills and selling youth improvement by way of sports activities.
The ceremony was attended by the Head of Service, Hajiya Falilat Yusuf Musa, Esq.; the Commissioner for Water Resources, Engineer Yahaya Faruk; the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Planning; the Special Adviser on Women and Youth, Honourable Charity Ijese; the Special Adviser on Electronic Media; and Permanent Secretaries from the Office of the Head of Service and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, amongst different authorities officers.
Kogi Polytechnic Secure Opening-Day Victory
In the opening soccer encounter, Kogi State Polytechnic defeated their hosts, Federal University Lokoja, by a lone objective in a tense and entertaining contest.
Kogi State Polytechnic goalkeeper Michael Idowu was instrumental to the victory, producing a number of essential saves to protect his aspect’s slim benefit and safe all three factors.
Federal University Lokoja, in the meantime, will search to bounce again once they face the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute of their subsequent match.
Sporting actions throughout the opposite zones are scheduled to proceed on Tuesday, October 27, with collaborating establishments competing in varied occasions.
The grand finale of the maiden Governor Ododo All-Campus Games is scheduled for November 7, 2026.
The competitors is predicted to advertise friendship and wholesome rivalry amongst college students, uncover rising sporting skills and strengthen the contribution of sports activities to youth improvement throughout Kogi State.
James Sani
Information Officer
Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Kogi State, Lokoja
