The Torch of Unity for the 26th National Universities’ Game Association (NUGA) being hosted by the University of Lagos made its second stop at the Office of the Oyo State Governor; Engineer Seyi Makinde on Friday, January 28, 2022.
Receiving the Unity Torch at his Agodi office in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Gov. Makinde used the avenue to acknowledge the University’s giant strides being recorded in virtually all areas of human endeavour.
While commending the UNILAG management led by the Vice-Chancellor; Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, for the milestones including winning the hosting rights for the Nigerian Universities’ sports fiesta for the fourth time, the Oyo state helmsman who graduated from the Faculty of Engineering in 1990 made a personal donation also promised to mobilize support and assistance from his personal friends and colleagues with a view to ensuring a successful NUGA 2022 outing.
Earlier in his remarks, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, appreciated Gov. Seyi Makinde for his sterling achievements as helmsman of the pacesetter state.
While describing the laboratory donated to the Faculty of Engineering by Gov. Makinde as a standard which UNILAG has been guiding jealously, Prof. Ogundipe who spoke on the level of the University’s preparedness for the sports outing said bringing the NUGA Unity Torch to Gov. Makinde was aimed at securing his support and collaborations with regards to upgrading facilities needed for the NUGA games.
Prof. Ogundipe who, incidentally, served as INEC Returning Officer in Oyo State during the 2019 General Elections showered encomium on all UNILAG alumni including Gov. Seyi Makinde as well as other friends and supporters of UNILAG for keying into the “P3P” initiative of the incumbent management, a feat which he said, has attracted massive donations and developmental projects into the University since he assumed office.
Having been lit by Nigeria’s Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare on Friday, November 26, 2021 at a colourful occasion in the University of Lagos, the NUGA 2022 Unity Torch debuted its tour on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the Office of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe says the Unity Torch will be visiting the Akwa-Ibom State Governor; Mr. Udom Emmanuel in Uyo on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 while the immediate past Governor of Gombe State; Mr. Ibrahim Dankwambo receives it on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 in Abuja.
The final stop for the NUGA 2022 Unity Torch for Friday, January 28, 2022, was the University of Ibadan where it was received by the Acting Vice-Chancellor; Professor Ezekiel Ayoola who was flanked by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and multiple NUGA medallist, Professor Aderonke Bayeroju.
On board with Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe for the presentation of the NUGA 2022 Unity Torch in Oyo State were the Project Lead for the UNILAG-NUGA 2022, Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe alongside other members of the Local Organizing Commitee
The NUGA 2022 competition is slated to hold between Wednesday 16th and Saturday, 26th of March, 2022.
The sporting fiesta will see UNILAG playing host to not less than 10,000 athletes from about 136 universities. The athletes are expected to compete for medals in football (male and female), volleyball, basketball, handball, lawn tennis, table tennis, badminton, hockey, cricket, chess, taekwondo, judo, swimming, karate, athletics, squash and boxing.
