Satellite Town, a community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos State played host to thousands of guests from across the country including President Muhammadu Buhari, the first of its kind in the community in decades.
Until Thursday morning, news coming out of Satellite Town have been that of neglect, anguish and helplessness from a people hunted by tankfarms and isolated by deplorable roads as well as the menaces of trucks, tanker drivers that make commuting to and fro other parts of the state almost impossible.
Refreshingly, those articulated vehicles and commercial buses that habitually blocked access to Satellite Town were nowhere in sight that day while several police and military patrol vehicles blared their sirens non-stop as they drove through Fedtac Town, Mile Two, Badagry Expressway and other adjoining routes to forestall any impediment.
With smiling faces, residents who felt relief from their usual nightmarish commuting experiences kept waving as the convoy of President Muhammadu Buhari drove into the newly built Navy Sports Complex, Navy Town venue for the 12th edition of the Nigerian Navy Games tagged “Lagos 2022.”
Neither the rains nor the heavy security presence could stop the mammoth crowd that converged outside the complex to have a glimpse of the Commander-in-Chief who smiled and waved back as they cheered.
For the thousands of residents in Satellite, the sports complex, though inside a military barracks, represented glimpses of hope that their hitherto bustling community may regain its prideful place so that small businesses could thrive.
The reason for their optimism was not farfetched. The sports complex which was conceptualised and constructed by the former Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), is fitted with a 1,260 sitting capacity stadium, the complex consists of a state-of-the-art indoors sporting equipment, gymnasium, swimming pool, standard football pitch with tracks for athletics events, a basketball court and Volleyball pitch with projections for a shopping mall with other relaxation facilities beside it.
Therefore, it would not only come handy in discovering and grooming young grassroots talents but also create jobs for the populace and attract more human traffic that would boost patronage of their businesses. Moreover, they believe it could facilitate the repairs of their road infrastructures since the sports facilities may be used by the venue for national or international competitions hosted in Lagos.
Opening ceremony
From the colourful parade of the over 1,800 contingent drawn from all Naval commands across the country to the combat display by the NN Combat team, down to the lighting of the games’ torch, the ceremony did not lack glamour and panache.
A Dolphin mascot whose display synced with the scintillating performance from the Nigeria Navy band, added colour and humour to the event, while the three-woman team that hoisted the games’ flag brought to the fore the gender inclusiveness of the Navy.
Declaring the games open, Buhari noted that sports have over the years, remained a tool to strengthen the ties between troops, instill discipline and readiness to serve a common cause in the military, just as he commended the Navy for the investment in sports development in the country.
He pledged that the Federal government would continue to support encourage sporting activities in view of its importance towards national cohesiveness and unity.
According to the President, the construction of this sports complex has provided a standard venue for the Nigerian Navy to host major games as well as appropriate venue for naval personnel within Lagos to use for training and other recreational purposes.
“I am therefore confident that besides the conduct of the Games, the Nigerian Navy and its personnel will continue to make good use of the facilities in this complex.
“I am also sure that the games would provide the needed platform and avenue for the discovery of new talents who will go on to represent the Nigerian Navy and Nigeria in international competitions.
“Therefore, all participating athletes should inculcate fairplay and exhibit high level of decorum during the Games.
“I note that all commands in the Nigerian Navy are participating in the Games. This means that the Nigerian Navy can take stock of the level of preparedness of its personnel while encouraging the development of team spirit amongst its personnel.
“The games should therefore provide a glimpse of what Nigerians expect from the Nigerian Navy; dedication, commitment, unity, oneness and comradeship,” said Buhari.
Lasting peace
The President seized the opportunity to assure Nigerians that the Armed Forces would continue to sustain their operational tempo in order to contain the security challenges in the country. He said plans were on to ensure that the security agencies put appropriate measures in place to secure the country despite the challenges.
Buhari said: “I want Nigerians to believe in the capability of the armed forces to provide the needed strategies in place to safeguard our collective interest. “May I also use this opportunity to re-emphasis the significance of synergy between the armed forces, other security agencies and the general population in bringing about long-lasting peace and stability in the country.”
Sanwo-Olu pledges continued partnership with Navy
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his goodwill message, pledged continued support, partnership with the navy describing the service as a strategic partner to the ‘‘coastal State of Lagos’’ on security of lives and property.
He thanked the President for approving the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Lekki axis, noting it was one of the fastest growing industrial, commercial and residential development areas in West Africa.
‘‘Lekki is also home to the largest deep-sea port in Africa, which Mr President will commission soon, it is home to the largest private refinery, among other landmark investments in our country,’’ he said.
Navy’s commitment to tackling insecurity
For the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, hosting the games amidst resource constraints showed the navy’s resolve to enhance fitness of personnel and capacity to tackle prevailing security challenges.
He said the goal was to encourage personnel to continue to strive towards remaining fit at all times, while developing the team spirit synonymous with the Nigerian Navy as encapsulated in the motto, Onward Together.
He reeled out successes recorded by naval sports teams in national and international championships, expressing hopes that more talented personnel would emerge from the ongoing games to make the Nigerian Navy and the nation proud in future competitions.
Gambo said: “The Nigerian Navy has recorded significant appearances at local and international competitions. Notably, the Nigerian Navy Volley Ball Team, named Chief of Naval Staff Spikers, registered its arrival into the Nigerian Volley Ball circle in March this year by dominating the male category in the championship organised in Kontagora, Niger State by the Volley Ball Federation of Nigeria. “Out of 37 volleyball teams, made up of 21 male and 16 female teams, the CNS male Spikers, had an unbeaten record and won the championship, while the female team won the silver medal for female category.
“These outstanding performances positioned the teams and earned the female team a slot to represent the country at the African Women Volleyball Club Championship, Tunisia in May this year, where they displayed exemplary skills worthy of emulation. This is the first time after 38 years a military team represented Nigeria at an international competition…
“Also, the Nigerian Navy Sailing Team represented the country at the Academies Sailing Regatta in Italy, April this year and returned with the Best Behaved and Spirit of Sportsmanship Award, while several other naval personnel both serving and retired have distinguished themselves in diverse national and international sporting competitions…
“While anticipating brilliant performances, let me encourage all participating athletes to exhibit fair play and healthy rivalry as you compete for medals.”
He also thanked President Buhari for his continued support to the navy especially in the area of fleet recapitalisation which has enhanced the service’s institutional capacity to protect the nation’s resources for the wellbeing of Nigerians and economic prosperity of the nation. “Mr President, may I therefore use this opportunity to express commitment and resolve to sustain the fight against crude oil theft and other maritime crimes. Indeed, the nation exited from the International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy List early in the year and no incidence of piracy has been recorded in the last one year.
“This attests to the Nigerian Navy’s willingness and resilience to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment for socio-economic activities to thrive in Nigeria,” said the CNS.
For the eight days tournament, games such as archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boat handling, boxing, chess, football, golf, small arms firing among others, would be featured.
Guests at the event included Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ghana, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), Defence Minister, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, Inspector General of Police (IG) Alkali Usman, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, Director General (DG) Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, Chairman, Senate Committee on the Navy, Elisha Abbo, senior serving and retired military officers among others.
