By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s unflinching determination to root out all forms of security threats and violent crimes in Nigeria.
The President also reiterated his resolve to stabilise the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and contribute immensely to peace on the African continent in his capacity as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The President made the vow during the closing ceremony of the African Military Games 2024, which concluded in Abuja over the weekend.
Business Post reports that the West African region has been faced with rising insecurity and political instability which have produced coups in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso in recent years.
According to a State House press statement signed by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the media aide to Vice President Kashim Shettima on Sunday, President Tinubu noted he intends to accomplish all these by strengthening ties across African countries to promote a profound sense of camaraderie among troops on the continent.
“Let me use this opportunity to declare the resolve and unflinching commitment of my administration to rid the nation of security threats and violent crimes. Moreover, as the ECOWAS Chairman, I want to emphasize my determination to stabilize the sub-region and indeed the entire African continent to ensure its prosperity.
“To accomplish this vision, I consider strengthening ties across African countries to foster a deep sense of camaraderie among our troops as a priority,” Mr Tinubu, represented by Mr Shettima, said.
He observed that the 2nd edition of the Africa Military Games could not have come at a better time, two decades after the last edition was held, noting that it is “in the spirit of boosting this collaborative framework for combating the rising spate of insecurity across the continent.”
He expressed firm belief that the military sports event would go a long way in awakening “the spirit of comradeship and friendship that is crucial to enhance cooperation among” militaries across the African continent.
Underscoring the significance of the event, President Tinubu pointed out that “Armed Forces constantly require fit personnel thereby underscoring the need for military personnel to always engage in sporting activities.
“As such, it is common knowledge that men and women of our Armed Forces must keep fit to ensure optimal physical, mental and emotional well-being to cope with the dynamics of our rapidly evolving volatile, uncertain and complex environment,” he added.
The Nigerian leader further applauded the vision of Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the President of OSMA, Major General M Abdullahi, for recording yet another feat with this milestone achievement.
Declaring the Africa Military Games Abuja 2024 closed, President Tinubu congratulated delegates from participating countries across Africa for their good conduct and display of the spirit of sportsmanship.
“Given the professionalism you all displayed from the start to finish of this Games, you gentlemen and ladies are indeed not only military personnel but also great sportsmen and women. I am aware that the various games were conducted without any obvious hitches. This is indeed an achievement which we all as Africans ought to be proud of,” he stated.
On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, while commending participants at the Africa Military Games, Abuja said it “was with immense pride and gratitude and on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces that we celebrate what has been truly inspiring and a unifying event.”
Congratulating the teams that took part in the competition, General Musa noted that the courage, skills and sportsmanship exhibited in the field, tracks and courts have been inspiring, proving that victory is not just about crossing the finish line first but about embodying the values of unity and resilience.
Also in his farewell address, the President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major General Maikano Abdullahi noted that it was a pride and honour to congratulate the armed forces sportsmen and women as the event ended.
General Abdullahi also noted that the game is not only a platform for competition but also a celebration of shared value and unity.
According to him, the teams have represented their different countries with pride signifying the testimonies of hard work, discipline, team spirit and cooperation, adding that this will resonate far beyond the Abuja game events.
Team Nigeria emerged the overall winner of the AMGA- 2024 with 114 gold medals, 65 silver and 55 bronze totalling 234 medals while Algeria took 2nd position with a total of 96 medals and Kenya 3rd position with 50 medals.