Sports
Lagos Assembly hosts ‘Unity Games’ to mark Obasa’s 10th anniversary
Organisers say the “Unity Edition” aims to deepen the prevailing spirit of cooperation within the Legislative Arm, fostering internal peace essential for effective governance.
The games are scheduled to be held between October and November 2025, with the main activities taking place at the Assembly Complex.
This year’s football competition will feature 32 male teams and 16 female teams, underscoring the scale of participation.
Other sporting events include volleyball, tug of war, table tennis, snooker, traditional games such as Ayo Olopon and draughts, and a modern addition — PlayStation gaming.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, said the event was conceived to strengthen unity among stakeholders within the state’s Legislative Arm.
“The aim of this year’s edition is to continue using sporting activities as a unifying factor among relevant stakeholders of the state’s Legislative Arm,” Orekoya stated.
He added that the Speaker’s Games also serve broader social and economic purposes.
“The event is explicitly planned as an empowerment platform through the distribution of ‘Ounje OBASA’ packages to directly impact participants’ welfare. Furthermore, the games promote healthy living and strengthen social relationships across the state’s three Arms of Government.”
Orekoya further noted that this year’s games will spotlight gender inclusion.
“The inclusion of a dedicated female football tournament is a deliberate campaign for gender equity, showcasing the Assembly’s commitment to diverse workforce participation,” he said.
Iwobi spoke to Tidesports source ahead of Nigeria’s crunch playoff semi-final against Gabon on Thursday, November 13, in Rabat, Morocco.
The 28-year-old was reacting to Nigeria’s shaky World Cup qualifying campaign that saw the Eagles finish second in Group C behind South Africa’s Bafana Bafana.
“We’ve managed to rescue ourselves from the dead,” Iwobi told Tidesports source.
We know we have the players and the abilities to compete against any other country in the world.”
The Fulham star pointed to Nigeria’s star power, highlighting African Footballer of the Year winners Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen as proof of the squad’s quality.
“We have last year’s African best player (Ademola Lookman), the year before that (Victor Osimhen),” he said.
“It’ll be a shame if we don’t make it, but we have a lot of confidence. We just have to prove it to ourselves.”
Nigeria’s path to the United States, Canada and Mexico has been turbulent, with two coaches departing during the early stages of qualifying before Éric Chelle steadied the ship to steer the Super Eagles into November’s CAF playoffs.
Four nations from the continent – Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon – will vie for a solitary spot to compete in next March’s inter-confederation playoffs, with a view to joining the already nine qualified African nations at the Finals.
It would mark Iwobi’s second appearance at the World Cup Finals and the Super Eagles’ first since the 2018 edition of the competition.
Back then, Iwobi featured in all three games as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
The Chief Executive Officer(CEO) and Publisher of the Atlantic Bell Online medium, Mr. Celestine Ogolo has advised sports writers in Nigeria to diversify in sports writing and not to concentrate on football reporting alone.
The Deputy National President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Mr. Bonny Nyong has expressed commitment to support sports development and move SWAN forward.
