NUGA 2025: Unijos prepared for ‘unique event’, Prof.Obateru

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By Eagle Eye Sports24

As University of Jos set to host the 2025 Nigeria Universities Games ,the Chairman Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity,Prof.Taye Obateru,says that the university is poised to host a memorable event.despite concerns that Unijos is i’ll prepared , saying the university is “fully prepared” and “ready” to stage the multi-sport event.

Prof.Taye Obateru,spoke exclusively to Eagle Eye News24 on Saturday as guest of the flagship programme: NIGERIA TODAY.

According to the veteran journalist cum academics:.
“I can assure you that we are prepared to host a befitting event.he said .

Speaking on the state of preparedness of the bi-annual universities sports event,he revealed that the University of Jos has secured the blessing of several key sports stakeholders in the country.
“This is the first time a University in the North Central region of the country will host the NUGA in Nigeria.
Considering the narratives that Jos is not safe we are going to use NUGA to make a positive statement that Jos is a safe place to be because when people arrive and returned back safely it would make a statement that Jos and Plateau State is a safe place to come.

Beyond that also the primary purpose of NUGA is to fish out talents that will grow to become national and international stars which has been one of the purpose of NUGA and this one will not be an exception.The beauty of hosting the games is actually enormous”.

Responding on the state of preparedness,he said:

“We are about 99% set.There was a NUGA assessment team that visited the university. They inspected the facilities and they were satisfied with the state of preparedness, although there are still some ongoing projects that will be completed before the commencement of the games on November 6.

We are also working to make sure everything that needs to be done is put in place for a successful event. For instance the issue of accommodations,we don’t have enough accommodations in the university.We have reached out to other places to secure accommodations where we would be hosting the participants.We are expecting about 7,000 participants and officials aside from other guests.We are doing everything possible to addressed the issue of accommodations because it’s one of the challenge previous host of the NUGA faced .We are up and doing to ensure that we don’t have such problems.

In terms of transportation,we are lucky that the state government has agreed to assist us with some of the metro buses to convey people from various venues of the games.
Regarding security the Plateau State Commissioner of Police is heading the security sub- committee and everything is been done to ensure that people are secured.

Debunking the allegations that the 2025 NUGA is devoid of media hype,he posited:
“If they said that before now they may not be entirely wrong due to some factors but from last Monday when we had road show in Jos that our students marched through the street of Jos and we ensured a wide coverage of the event.Since last Monday till now NUGA has been in the news.Aoart from that our committee have been embarking on advocacy to various media houses in Jos which in turn has also helped to publicize the event.

Responding to the issue of funding and partnership,Prof.Obateru, disclosed:
“You know the environment we are,yes some monies have come but we are expecting much more.We are hopeful. Our Vice – Chancellor is doing everything possible to get the needed funding for the games in order to have a successful event.

Speaking on the connection between education and sports,the erudite Professor of Journalism and Media Studies,Unijos,Taye Obateru, said that there is a lot of connection.

In his words:
“Sports is a global business even presently the Unijos in collaboration with the Nigeria University Commission (NUC)is already planning to set up courses in Sports Administration,Sports Business etc.

So,very soon you will find people beyond Physical and Health Education that wants to take up courses in Sports Business and Administration.The Unijos is planning to begin a Sports Business Programme and the NUC has keyed into it.It is a response to the prevailing global trend.What academia should do is to fashion courses that will meet the ever increasing needs of society.

Prof.Obateru further highlighted the impact of sports as a panacea for national development,accordingly he said:
“You will agree with me that sports has been a vital tool for unity in Nigeria,inspite of our ethno-religious issues, one sector that has helped in fostering national unity is sports.We can all attest to this whenever Nigeria is playing a football match,people forget where they come from,nobody cares to know which religion he or she belongs to.This tells us something that sports is a unifying factor, it’s an instrument that can be use to foster unity.For instance,NUGA will attract people that will come from about 22 universities in Nigeria.Many will come from places people have never visited,they will make friends across students of different universities.
There is also as I earlier said,the discovery of talents that will represent the country at international level and even become future stars.Many Nigerian stars have been discovered at NUGA,players like ex-Super Eagles player Seyi Olofinjana were discovered at NUGA”.
Adding that part of the benefits of the game is to also orient Nigerian youths of the potentials and benefits of sports.

Eagle Eye News24 reports that
the NUGA Games 2025 is the 27th edition of the Nigerian University Games, to be hosted by the University of Jos (UNIJOS) in Jos,Plateau State, Nigeria, from November 5th to 16th, 2025. Initially planned for April/May, the dates were moved to allow for the completion of crucial infrastructure projects at the university. Over 22 universities are expected to participate in a wide variety of sports.

The over one week event is expected to attract top dignitaries,governors and over 7,000 students from about 22 universities in Nigeria including officials in Jos,Plateau State Nigeria..