CDS VISITS SPORTS MINISTER OVER AFRICA MILITARY GAMES 2024 .... Seeks Support Of Sport Ministry

CDS Christopher Musa being received by Senator John Enoh, Honourable Minister of Sports Development during his visit to the Minister on Monday

"AMGA is a way of harnessing the many potentials we have in the country". CDS Musa

"The Games will further forge cooperation, friendliness, brotherhood and the spirit of oneness amongst African military men and women."

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh in his Office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. 

The visit is part of preparation towards the successful hosting of the upcoming Africa Military Games (AMGA) 2024) in Abuja from 5- 18 November 2024.

A statement issued and signed by Capt  Lurwanu Abdulkadir (Nigerian Navy) on behalf of the Acting Director Defence Information disclosed that the visit was essentially to seek for collaboration and support for the smooth hosting of the event. 

During the visit, the CDS said the event will not be complete without the support of the Sports Ministry. 

While congratulating the Minister on his one year in office, stated that his visit is to officially intimate the Minister of the forthcoming event and to seek for best areas of collaboration. 

CDS Musa maintained that the sporting event has many advantages for the country as a whole, as "AMGA is a way of harnessing the many potentials we have in the country". 

General Musa stressed that he is of the fervent belief that "the Games will further forge cooperation, friendliness, brotherhood and the spirit of oneness amongst African military men and women."

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, in his welcome address to the CDS and his entourage, thanked him for the visit.

According to Senator Enoh, hosting the  AMGA is a huge plus to the Military and the nation at large. Nigeria has not hosted any major sporting events in recent times. He added that the benefits of hosting this game is enormous.

Identifying infrastructural development, mutual cooperation and other benefits, the Minister disclosed that the ministry is ready to continue to collaborate with the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) ahead of hosting of the event. 

Sen Owan called on the CDS to provide the ministry with necessary information as regards the needs of Armed Forces of Nigeria to host a seamless AMGA 2024. He called for both to ensure expected goals towards this event are achieved. 

It could be recalled that the AMGA was first hosted 24 years ago in Kenya with few African countries in attendance. Thus, it a great feat to see that Nigeria is to host the second event after many years.

Expectedly, 19 sporting events will be competed for by over 54 African countries. Some countries have signified interest to attend ahead of the competition. 

The CDS was accompanied to the visit by the Director of Sports - DHQ, Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis and other senior officers of DHQ.