Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has promised to embark on an infrastructure upgrade of the Confluence Stadium Lokoja, to drive talent development, youth engagement and and sports tourism in the state.
Governor Ododo made the promise in a message to the grand finale of the maiden edition of the All Campus Games 2026, held at the Federal University Lokoja Sports Centre, a statement issued by the Information Officer, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, James Sani, has revealed.
According to the statement, the maiden edition of the Governor Ododo All Campus Games, brought together diverse tertiary institutions that competed in various categories of sporting events, including football, volleyball, basketball and other athletic events, aimed at ensuring unity, teamwork and togetherness among the youths for the progress of the state.
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Represented by the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, the governor said sports remains a catalyst for unity and development of the youths.
Governor Ododo said the message of the games was to highlight that Kogi was one and united irrespective of tribe and religion, and working under one umbrella for the progress of the state.
The governor maintained that sport remains one of the key priorities of the current administration, describing it as an avenue for positive youth engagement and an opportunity to discover talents on time.
Governor Ododo said he was proud of the outcome of the tournament, noting that the various campuses competed happily among themselves, with winners and losers taking the lessons of the competition in good faith.
The Governor commended the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Anyebe, for the initiative to bring the youth together, and assured that the government will continue to bring programmes that will improve the well-being of the people, particularly the youths.
Governor Ododo assured that his administration will continue to support the Ministry, stressing that by the time the agenda for youth and sports development was unveiled, Kogi will be at the top.
On the renovation of the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, the governor, noted that experts have been invited and have briefed the Executive Council, stressing that the government was looking into it holistically.
Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, said the state can not be the Confluence State and continues to have a stadium in its present condition, stressing that the government was working to expand and remodel it to an Olympic and international standard.
According to him, the aim is to make the stadium befitting to host every type of competition, including international matches, and to attract people from all over the country.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Aridaojo Anyebe, on behalf of the Ministry, thanked Governor Ododo for his vision, support, and for creating an enabling environment for the competition to hold in the state.
Hon Anyebe described the games as a huge success, saying many administrations merely speak about the importance of young people, but that the Governor Ododo-led administration has chosen to invest in them.
The Commissioner acknowledged that sports builds character, teaches discipline, teamwork, resilience, and respect for rules, stressing that a young person who learns to lose with grace and win with humility was better prepared for life.
He further explained the final was not the end, but the beginning of something bigger, assuring that the Ministry was committed to making the Governor Ododo All Campus Games an enduring tradition, stronger and more inclusive every year.
Hon Anyebe then used the occasion to appreciate members of the Local Organising Committee, the leadership of the participating institutions, partners, and others for their support and efforts, which made the maiden edition of the tournament a successful one
Highlights of the event include the presentation of an award to the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf for his contribution to the success of the tournament, and medals to winners and deserving participants for their impressive performance in various categories of sporting events.
