Abuja, Oct. 24, 2024 (NAN) National Unity was in focus as the mascot for the inaugural edition of National Transporters’ Games, Gateway 2024 billed for December in Ogun State was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the flag off ceremony held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, stakeholders within and outside the transport industry, expressed their readiness for the National competition tagged ‘Unity in Motion, Strength in Diversity’.
A key promoter of the upcoming event, Senator Prince Gbolahan Dada, said beyond national cohesion, the competition would stimulate the economic potential of the country’s transport system.
Dada said the objective was to reposition the transport system and stakeholders as an integral part of National Economic Development, so as to correct the wrong image and perception of the sector by the society.
“People always think that when you mention ‘park’, the first thing that comes to mind is ‘agbero’.
“No! The narrative has changed now, and we want to let you know that this organisation has brought a new innovation into the transportation system, which we tap into the enormous business investment in sports.
“Sport is a global investment. It has a lot to do with foreign exchange. For instance, Anthony Joshua happens to come from this particular sector, and today, we are hearing alot about him because of the power of sports,” he said.
Chairman, Miss Football Nigeria, Hon. Solomon Bamola concurred that the Economic value of Sports cannot be overemphasised, adding that the national transporters’s games provide a perfect opportunity to change people’s perception about transport workers.
Bamola said that the mascot represents unity, resilience, and teamwork; pointing out that these were values that drive the games and transport sector.
“To our athletes, let this symbol inspire you to give your best and compete with high integrity.
“As we celebrate today, may this event bring us together and inspire excellence,” he said.
National coordinator, Wale Shodeinde gave a run down on the format and organisation of the games, adding that the aim of the games was also to promote unity amongst the six geopolitical zones in the country.
He noted that about 12 national-based transport unions in Nigeria were ready for the Games.
“They include the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN),
“Amalgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners, Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW),
“Nigerian Union of Mine Workers, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Union of Railway Workers and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
“We are hosting this edition in the Southern part of the country, and I want to assure us that it will be the turn of the North to host the next edition, and so on.
“The National Transporters Games aims to foster unity among Transporters in the country because we believe that Sports is a unifying factor,” he said.
The Royal Father of the Day, Egnr. Hussein Suleiman, Tahir Santuraki Adamawa Yola, also gave his goodwill message and prayed for the success of the Games.
The traditional ruler also prayed that the games would bring the desired unity in the country.
NAN also reports that the national transporters’ games coming up in December, 2024 in Abeokuta, Ogun State will feature no fewer than 500 athletes across eight organisations of the Transport system competiting in six different games including Football, , Draught, Athletics, Table Tennis, Swimming and Ayo.(NAN)
