Provision of top notch security for athletes officials, fans and the general public would be top on the priority list of Ogun state government at the forthcoming National Sports Festival (NSF) which the state is hosting with the opening and closing ceremony scheduled for a new look MKO Abiola Stadium which is also being renamed MKO Abiola Sporting Complex.
The state governor Prince Dapo Abiodun who held nothing back while speaking on the preparedness of the state to give the country a befitting show piece, harped on the need for security as the first step to a successful event.
Governor Abiodun who began by highlighting efforts of his administration in making life better for the people said security of lives and property as the first charge of any government has been taken very seriously.
“When I became Governor, the Commissioner of Police (CP) could not talk to a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Remo, but with the support and equipment we provided them, communication has become seamless as the CP can now talk to all DPOs in the state and actually know where they are in real time.
Ogun is one of the safest, if not the safest state in Nigeria today. We will maintain that level and up the ante to ensure that the youths of the nation converging on our state for the Gateway Games have pleasant experiences and memories to take with them after the festival “
According to the governor, the best of accommodation is being provided for over ten thousand athletes from the 36 states and the FCT including the Invited Junior Athletes IJA all of whom would be camped centrally as it is done as it is done at major international meets like the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games.
The Ogun state Governor also unveiled former Nigeria national football team captain in the Green Eagles era, Segun Odegbami an indigene of the state, as the Grand Sports Ambassador of the Gateway State.
Governor Abiodun also assured that in terms of experiences for both participants and spectators most of whom will watch on television across the world, everything is being done to deliver a spectacular show in a renovated, revived and reinvigorated MKO Abiola Stadium which is also set to be renamed MKO Abiola Sporting Complex.
“Work on the facility has been coming really good as you noticed but I can assure you that in about a week from now when hopefully you will be here for a final inspection, what will be on ground would match the best anywhere.
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To fit the new status in terms of standard and quality, the facility will now be known as MKO Abiola Sporting Complex with all necessary procedures to effect the name change are already in place.”
Governor Abiodun assured that the MKO Abiola Sporting Complex will stage the best opening and closing ceremonies in the history of the Sports festival.
Originally billed for 2024 but postponed for better preparations, the 22nd edition of the biennial multi-sports event, holding 16th-30th May 2025, will witness contests across venues in Abeokuta and other selected locations within the state.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
