By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – Two colleges from Akwa Ibom have won the third edition of the 2025 Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) Sports Carnival held in Port Harcourt
Federal Government College (FGC), Ikot Ekpene, and Federal Girls Government College (FGGC), Ikot Obio Itong, emerged victorious in the competition, which featured over 5,000 alumnus from 50 Unity Schools alumni across the country.
FGC Ikot Ekpene was crowned overall champion in the men’s category, while FGGC Ikot Obio Itong triumphed in the women’s category, both colleges securing victories in Athletics, football, and swimming.
Other sports activities include volleyball, table tennis, lawn tennis, golf, badminton, and various board games, among others.
FGC Ikot Ekpene also won the top prize for the ceremonial match-past.
Addressing participants at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt on Sunday, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, applauded USOSA for promoting nationhood and social cohesion through the competition.
Musa, represented by Brig.-Gen. Emmanuel Adamu, Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Army 6 Division, Port Harcourt, noted that every tribe and religion was represented at the event, reflecting the nation’s unity in diversity.
The CDS, who is an alumnus of a Unity School, stated that the association’s membership spanned alumni of various colleges, reuniting old friends and classmates after many years of graduation.
“USOSA have continued to play a pivotal role in the shaping the minds, character, and attitude of countless young individuals, including myself, while fostering sterling qualities of integrity, resilience, excellence,” he said.
He described the sports carnival as further testament to the enduring legacy of excellence through which the association unites Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides.
“The theme of this year’s carnival, ‘Sports, A Tool for National Unity’, is apt and resonates with the belief that sports is a veritable tool for national cohesion.
“I commend participants for their relentless commitment to keeping the flame of national unity alive through this vibrant sports carnival,” he added.
Also speaking, Prof. Ibibia Worika, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, expressed gratitude to the USOSA leadership for selecting Port Harcourt as host for the competition.
He further commended the association for its role in integrating and uniting Nigerians over the years and assured the association of the state government’s continued support for its activities.
The President-General of USOSA, Michael Magaji, said that participants were drawn from the Old Boys Associations, Old Girls Associations, and Old Students Associations of various colleges.
“For the first time, the carnival was held over two days to accommodate the various newly introduced events planned for this edition.
“Ultimately, a healthy body, coupled with a healthy mind, is essential to national development and to the overall progress of the individual and the country.
“Through this competition, we test our resilience and celebrates our diversity, strength, and challenges,” he said.
Magaji reaffirmed USOSA’s commitment to promoting quality public education, good governance, and national unity.
Also speaking, Bill Amechi, the current West African Golf Champion who represented King’s College, Lagos, in the golf tournament, commended the organisers of the championship.
Amechi, who emerged the overall Best Net Winner in the individual medals table, expressed his delight at reconnecting with old friends and classmates after many years.
“Despite winning the title of West African Golf Champion, becoming the Best Net Winner is particularly special to me because I achieved it for my alma mater,” he concluded. (NAN)
