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Tag: SouthWest Games

  • Sports meet culture as Southwest Games takes center stage in Lagos

    Sports meet culture as Southwest Games takes center stage in Lagos

    Come Wednesday March 26, 2025, Lagos will be the focal point as the biggest sports and social cultural event; the Southwest Games 2025,    takes the center stage with a colourful opening  ceremony holding at the imposing Onikan Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos.

     The South West Games is a multi-sport initiative designed to empower youth, promote communal unity, and develop talent in Nigeria’s South West region.

    The sporting festival aims to showcase and nurture athletic talent in the six states of South West Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti), with a focus on youth development and regional unity.

    Expectedly, the games will be showcasing the sporting and cultural heritage of the region in the area of sports and recreation, music, and food.   

    The games will kick off in grand style with Fuji icon, King Saheed Osupa, a leading light with enormous fan base in the Southwest region performing at the opening ceremony.

    In the same vein, an illustrious son and business mogul, the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Michael Adenuga Jr., will be honoured with the Pillar of Sports in Africa award for his influence on sports development in Nigeria and across the continent, particularly in football, where his visionary sponsorship and commitment have left an indelible mark.

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    This is not forgetting the highlights of the games, which is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu South West Alliance Games (BATSWAG), a sub-event tailored to groom young athletes under the age of 18, is so named to honour and celebrate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his immense contribution to Nigerian youths and sports. 

    Organisers are positive The South West Games 2025 will be a memorable event, bringing together both modern and traditional sports.

    Designed as a transformative sporting festival, SWAG aims to discover and nurture under-18 athletes from across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Ekiti States. The event will feature athletics, basketball, boxing, football, table tennis, volleyball, archery and traditional games like ayo-olopon and abula.

    This groundbreaking event is set to reshape the sporting landscape of the region, driving youth empowerment, grassroots sports development, and cultural integration.

    In a powerful show of unity and enthusiasm, Nigeria’s top dignitaries—ranging from royal figures and political leaders to sports icons and business moguls—are rallying behind the highly anticipated South West Games 2025 (SWAG).

    Among them are The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba (CFR), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe (President, Nigerian Golf Federation), Aare Dele Momodu (Media Personality & Entrepreneur), Segun Odegbami (Football Legend & Sports Administrator), Otunba Bimbo Ashiru (Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company), Bukola Olopade (Director General, National Sports Commission), Lekan Fatodu (Lagos State Director General of Sports), and South West Games 2025, Chief of Staff to the President; Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The games also received strong backing from Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke and  governor of Lagos state; Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    The brain and brawn behind the games, Dr. Lanre Alfred said the tournament would serve as a platform for discovering and nurturing young talents while fostering stronger communal ties among states in the region. “It is a strategic intervention that will promote regional integration, inspire the youth, and create economic opportunities.”   

  • SouthWest Games: Old-English Bakery to give first 1000 attendees free bread, butter at opening

    SouthWest Games: Old-English Bakery to give first 1000 attendees free bread, butter at opening

    OldEnglish Bakery, a prominent name in Nigeria’s bakery and confectionery industry, has announced its support for the South West Games 2025 by offering free bread and butter to the first 1,000 attendees at the opening ceremony.

    The highly anticipated event, set to take place in Lagos, promises a vibrant mix of sports, culture, and entertainment, with numerous perks for attendees.

    Chief Operating Officer of OldEnglish Bakery, Mr. Adebowale Odesola, described the giveaway as one of the many exciting benefits of being part of the landmark sports festival.

    “Beyond our complimentary bread and butter for the first 1000 guests, attendees can also expect a host of other enjoyable experiences. 

    “The South West Games is not just about athletic prowess; it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and togetherness, and we are thrilled to contribute to that spirit.

    “The South West Games is a prestigious multi-sport event that brings together athletes from across the six states of the South West region of Nigeria, fostering unity, talent development, and regional pride.

    “The competition features a diverse array of sporting disciplines, from athletics and football to indigenous traditional games, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region while providing a platform for young talents to shine,” he said. 

    Odesola Added that OldEnglish Bakery’s gesture forms part of its broader commitment to supporting the South West Games 2025, reinforcing its dedication to fostering sportsmanship, wellness, and community development. 

    According to him, as a brand known for its rich tradition of baking excellence, OldEnglish Bakery sees this partnership as an opportunity to give back to the society that has embraced and supported it over the years. 

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    He added that the company believes that sports and nutrition go hand in hand, and by supporting the Games, it aims to emphasise the importance of good nutrition in athletic performance and overall well-being.

    Odesola noted that the bakery has a long-standing tradition of engaging in corporate social responsibility initiatives, ranging from food donations to supporting community events that promote social cohesion. 

    “Through this initiative, OldEnglish Bakery aims to not only delight attendees with its signature products but also to inspire other businesses to take an active role in supporting sporting and cultural events that unite Nigerians across diverse backgrounds.

    Founded with a passion for delivering premium-quality baked goods, OldEnglish Bakery has grown to become a household name, celebrated for its fresh, nutritious, and tasty bread, pastries, and other confectionery delights. 

    “With multiple outlets across Nigeria, the brand continues to uphold its mission of nourishing lives and strengthening community bonds through its products and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    The South West Games 2025 is expected to attract thousands of sports enthusiasts, athletes, and dignitaries from across the region, making it a significant event in Nigeria’s sporting calendar,” he added.

    The operation officer however, said that the games would feature a wide range of sporting activities, including athletics, football, basketball, and traditional games, offering a unique blend of competition and cultural expression. 

    Hello said that OldEnglish Bakery’s involvement underscores its unwavering commitment to promoting health, wellness, and community engagement through meaningful initiatives.

    Odesola said that as anticipation builds for the opening ceremony, OldEnglish Bakery encourages attendees to arrive early to enjoy its warm, delicious offering and partake in the exciting activities planned for the day. 

    “The bakery remains committed to making a positive impact through its participation and looks forward to an unforgettable celebration of sportsmanship and unity at the South West Games 2025,” he added.