Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has inaugurated the 2026 Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta, urging participating institutions to uphold sportsmanship and respect the rules of competition.
The event commenced on Monday, October 19, with the symbolic lighting of the Torch of Unity at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Government House, Umuahia.
Speaking during the ceremony, Otti said the competition was designed to bring students from federal, state and privately owned tertiary institutions together, using sports to foster friendship, discipline and cooperation.
The governor assured participants of his administration’s continued commitment to developing sports in the state and encouraged athletes to compete with integrity while making the most of the opportunities provided by the fiesta.
Presenting the torch, the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said the programme was the product of months of preparation, which began in January. She noted that the success of the maiden edition held last year had strengthened the state’s determination to sustain the initiative.
Uche said the competition had attracted interest from education commissioners in other states, some of whom were exploring ways to adopt a similar model. She credited Otti’s support for education and sports with making the programme possible.
The commissioner explained that the fiesta was intended to expand the role of sports in tertiary institutions beyond routine academic activities, providing students with opportunities to develop their talents, build discipline and interact with peers from other schools.
She also praised the inclusion of private institutions, noting that government grants had helped create a more level playing field for schools with limited resources for organised sporting activities.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, said the competition would help discover athletes capable of representing Abia at state and national events. He described the unity torch as a symbol of togetherness and youth empowerment.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Dr. Emeka Enyeazu, said the initiative had generated interest beyond Abia, with several institutions registering to participate. He expressed optimism that the fiesta would promote the state’s educational and sporting achievements.
The 2026 sports fiesta is part of the Abia State Government’s efforts to encourage sporting excellence, strengthen relationships among students and promote youth development across tertiary institutions,Many Government officials attended the flag-off ceremony.
