By Divine Ihechimerem
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Gwabin Musa is seeking the support of the ministry of sports
towards the successful hosting of the upcoming Africa Military Games (AMGA) 2024) in Abuja from 5- 18 November 2024.
A statement by Navy Captain Lurwanu Abdulkadir, for Ag. Director Defence Information said this was disclosed during
a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh with the CDS saying the event will not be complete without the support of the Sports Ministry.
Part of the statement said “the CDS while congratulatulating the Minister on spending one year in office also said his visit is to officially intimate the Minister of the forthcoming event and to seek for best areas of collaboration. He maintained that the sporting event has many advantages for the country as a whole, as “AMGA is a way of harnessing the many potentials we have in the country”. The CDS fervently believes that the Games will further forge cooperation, friendliness, brotherhood and the spirit of onesness amongst African military men and women.
“The Honourable Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan while welcoming the CDS and his entourage, thanked him for the visit. According to the Minister, hosting the AMGA is a huge plus to the military and the country at large as Nigeria has not hosted any major sport in recent times. He added that the benefits of hosting this game is enormous. Senator Owan identified infrastructural development, mutual cooperation and other benefits.
“He further said that the Ministry is ready to continue to collaborate with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) ahead of hosting of the event. Sen Owan called on the CDS to provide the ministry with necessary information as regards the needs of Armed Forces of Nigeria to host a seamless AMGA 2024. He called for both to ensure expected goals towards this event are achieved.
“It could be recalled that the AMGA was first hosted 24 years ago in Kenya with few African countries in attendance. Thus, it a great feat to see that Nigeria is to host the second event after many years. Expectedly, 19 sporting events will be competed for by over 54 African countries. Some countries have signified interest to attend ahead of the competition.
“The CDS was accompanied to the visit by the Director of Sports – DHQ, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis and other senior officers of DHQ.”