By Victor Okoye
The 44th Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) officially began on Thursday in Yola, with emphasis on unity, synergy and collaboration among Nigeria’s diverse public workforce.
The Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Kaletapwa Farauta, declared the games open, calling for stronger inter-agency cooperation to deepen national integration and strengthen the country’s unity.
Farauta said the administration remains committed to using sports to drive economic growth and meaningfully engage youths, noting that the state had shown capacity to host major national tournaments.
“Sports remain one of the strongest tools for integration, peace, and collective progress,” Farauta said.
“These Games are a reminder that regardless of our MDAs or backgrounds, we remain one united public service working for one sovereign Nigerian state.”
She added that Adamawa’s successful hosting further demonstrates its readiness for bigger sporting engagements.
“Hosting over ten thousand athletes reveals our capacity and reinforces our commitment to youth development and social harmony,” she added.
President of the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA), Aloku Amaebi, commended the Adamawa Government for accepting to host what he described as one of the largest multi-sport gatherings in Nigeria.
Amaebi said the turnout was a testament to the resilience of the public service and the improved security situation in the North-East region.
“This hosting is symbolic. It shows that the North-East is open, safe, and ready for national events,” he said.
“We are grateful to Adamawa State for giving public servants a home and a platform to compete, bond and showcase unity.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over the next three days, athletes from 84 MDAs will compete in 16 sports, including volleyball, tennis, handball, basketball, badminton and football.
The Ministry of Works won the march-past event, ahead of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in second place and the Federal Inland Revenue Service in third.
Abubakar Shehu, the Head of Service and Local Organising Committee (LOC), Chairman of the Games, told NAN that no fewer than 10,000 athletes with over 82 ministries, departments and agencies participating in the Games.
Shehu added that the Games would strengthen unity in the public service and inspire a renewed commitment to national cohesion.
NAN also reports that Team Information, made up of agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation (FMINO), including NAN and VON were off to a flying start on Thursday, dismissing their opponents in two straight sets to advance to the round of 16 of the competition.
The male volleyball team made a light work of Federal Ministry of Livestock beating them 2-0 (25 – 6, 25 – 8), while the female team also knocked out Ministry of Interior 2-0 (25- 6, 25 -13).
The fierce competition, which is on a knockout basis, continues on Friday and is expected to end on Saturday. (NAN)
Edited by Joseph Edeh
