Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has said his administration will continue to invest in sports as a platform for bridging ethnic divides and strengthening unity among young people in the state.

The Governor stated this at the opening ceremony of Governor Ododo All Campus Games 2026 held at the Federal University, Lokoja.

He described sports as a unifying force that promotes teamwork and peaceful coexistence.

Governor Ododo represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade Arike urged participants to demonstrate discipline, safety and sportsmanship throughout the competition and avoid unnecessary physical confrontations.

He reiterated commitment by his administration to invest in youth development as part of the multi sectoral and sustainable development agenda for the state.

“In sports, you cannot ask whether someone is Igala before passing the ball to them. You cannot ask whether the person is Okun or Ebira. The ultimate goal is to work together as a team and win the game,” Ododo said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Monday Anyebe, said the games would strengthen relationships among tertiary institutions, promote sports development and provide a platform for discovering emerging talents.

The 13 participating institutions will compete in football, basketball and volleyball, with events for male and female contingents.

Anyebe urged the athletes to exhibit determination, discipline and mutual respect, noting that these values were as important as winning medals.

In her remarks, the Head of Service, Mrs Falilat Musa, described the competition as an investment in youth development, unity and empowerment.

She expressed hope that the competition would become an annual event and urged participants to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship regardless of outcomes of matches.

The opening ceremony featured a football match between Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, and Federal University, Lokoja, which ended one nil in favour of Kogi State Polytechnic won.