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 improvement, uncover sporting abilities 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 stated 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 improvement, social integration, self-discipline and expertise discovery, including that the competitors would offer a chance to determine and nurture promising athletes for future nationwide and worldwide competitions.
The commissioner stated the initiative mirrored the dedication of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, with the assist of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to strengthening sports activities improvement and creating alternatives for younger individuals throughout the state.
The 13 taking part 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, stated preparations for the maiden version had lasted practically three months, protecting venue preparations, mobilisation, funding and safety.
He urged media organisations to give the competitors satisfactory 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 stated the video games would promote interplay amongst college students from totally different establishments whereas advancing the governor’s sports activities improvement agenda. He counseled Ododo for supporting the initiative, describing it as a serious step in the direction of strengthening sports activities within the state.
The Chairman of the Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026, Comrade Michael Joshua Achor, disclosed that engaging prizes could be introduced to winners throughout the assorted sporting classes.
He stated the athletics programme would characteristic the 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres and 4×100 metres relay, including that particulars of the prize cash could be introduced in the end.
Explaining the idea behind the competitors, Achor stated the all-campus format was designed to recreate the ambiance of a sporting competition throughout the tertiary schooling neighborhood, giving college students alternatives to showcase their skills whereas constructing institutional delight and camaraderie.
He, nevertheless, disclosed that some athletics occasions could be held at Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, as a result of a number of taking part establishments lacked customary amenities for such competitions.
The Director of Sports within the ministry, Mr. Paul Aje, additionally counseled the commissioner for driving the initiative, describing the video games as one other milestone in Kogi State’s sports activities improvement efforts.
The maiden Governor Ododo All Campus Games is anticipated to convey 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.
