President Bola Tinubu has called on the military across Africa to join forces in addressing insecurity and other threats to the continent’s unity and stability.
He gave the charge when he formally made public the second edition of the Africa Military Games (AMGA) in Abuja, heralding the event as a notable platform to promote unity, fellowship and military cooperation across the continent.
The Games with the theme, “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sports,” marks a revival of the custom initiated over 20 years ago in Nairobi, Kenya.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, President Tinubu, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, saw that no single country could tackle its security challenges solely.
“Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa,” he said, acknowledging the significance of the Games in strengthening Africa’s collective security efforts,” Tinubu was cited as saying in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special to The President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President).
Tinubu went further to state that, “This occasion is more than a gathering of extraordinary athletes; it is an undeniable reminder of the cooperation that binds the military institutions across our continent.
“Today, we reaffirm the promise of what we can achieve when we stand together not just as neighbours, but as guardians of a continent that depends on your valour, sacrifices, and unyielding dedication.”
Reflecting on the tradition of the game, President Tinubu praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General C.G. Musa and President of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major General M. Abdullahi, for their leadership in restoring the event.
The President underscored the role of sports in advancing physical fitness, discipline, and resilience among military personnel, imperative traits for addressing Africa’s diverse security challenges.
“Sports not only keep us physically fit but also infuse core values such as integrity, excellence, and discipline. When our men and women are fit, they are better equipped to confront the challenges of their duties with resilience and confidence,” he said.
Tinubu additionally highlighted the extensive significance of unity in tackling the continent’s security threats.
His words: “The security challenges we face cannot be addressed through kinetic measures alone. We must deepen the friendships and partnerships that have long existed among us.
“As long as any nation within our shared geography remains under threat, none of us can declare our continent secure. Together, we will build a safer, stronger Africa”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chief of Defence of Staff, Gen. Musa, made sense of the fact that the second edition of the games is not simply a celebration of the physical prowess of military athletes however an opportunity to exhibit the bond that ties the armed forces across the African continent.
He said the games are a reminder of the power of collaboration and fellowship, similarly as he urged the 1,625 athletes and officials across Africa taking part in the games to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship, as they engage each other in the various sporting games.
Gen. Musa guaranteed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will keep on extending its partnership with the other armed forces across Africa, all in the bid to enhance the capacity to protect the territorial integrity of nations across the region.
Also, President of the Organization of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Maj. Gen. Maikano Abdullahi said the facilitating of the second edition of the games in Nigeria is in acknowledgment of the vision of the founding fathers of OSMA, which is to cultivate unity, friendship and fortitude among the armed forces across Africa.
While paying glowing recognitions to the commitment of the President of Nigeria and the founding fathers of OSMA, Maj. Gen. Abdullahi said the games provide a stage to feature the rich heritage and talents innate in the armed forces of Africa.
He encouraged participants to compete fiercely and fairly, reigniting the bond that joins all the military forces across the continent.
The opening ceremony featured a callisthenic exhibition, performances by various artists, hoisting of the OSMA and AMGA flags, oath-taking ceremony by the athletes and officials, as well as the symbolic lighting of the games torch by the Vice President.
Also present at the event were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Chairman, National Sports Commission, Alh. Shehu Dikko; Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, heads of delegation from the participating countries and other senior military officers, among others.
