As the 22nd National Sports Festival blazes through its opening week in the heart of Abeokuta, the spotlight is shifting beyond athletics — toward the soul of Ogun State itself.
In a rousing address at the Media Centre on Monday, Mr. Dare Adefowokan, Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Public Communications, challenged journalists covering the festival to dig deeper than scores and medals — and instead, amplify the vibrant cultural heartbeat of the Gateway State.
“This festival isn’t just about winning gold. It’s about telling the golden stories of our people, our culture, our unity,” Adefowokan said passionately. “We want the world to see Ogun through your lenses — a land of warmth, tradition, and boundless hospitality.”
With media professionals from across Nigeria converging in Abeokuta for the biannual sporting extravaganza, Adefowokan described the event as a “living newsroom” where stories of unity, resilience, and rich heritage should take center stage.
Echoing his sentiments, Mr. Adekunle Solaja, Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee, underscored the media’s vital role in elevating the festival’s national impact. “This is more than a sports meet — it’s a blueprint for youth engagement and national pride. The media’s lens will shape how history remembers Gateway Games 2024,” he declared.
The festival, officially opened in a dazzling ceremony at the newly refurbished MKO Abiola Stadium, has already captured national attention. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, and Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko were among the dignitaries who witnessed the cultural spectacle that launched the games.
