"Help Project Ogun State Positively By Showcasing Our Values, Friendliness, Vibrant Cultural Identity" -Ogun SSA Appeals to Media Professionals

By: Olufemi Orunsola 

As the Gateway Games 2024 progresses after the grand opening ceremony on Sunday, the Senior Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Public Communications, Otunba Dare Adefowokan has called on media professionals covering the 22nd National Sports Festival to leverage the event to highlight the state’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality for which the state is globally renowned.

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that Otunba Odufowokan who made the passionate appeal at the Media Centre on Monday emphasized that the festival presents a unique opportunity for networking and social interaction among journalists and media professionals across the country.

In his words, "The festival is not just about sports; it’s also about promoting unity, culture, and tourism,” he said. “We encourage media professionals to help project Ogun State positively by showcasing our values, friendliness, and vibrant cultural identity.”

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Media Sub-Committee, Mr. Adekunle Solaja, urged media practitioners to give their full cooperation in publicizing the biannual sporting event, which he described as a critical avenue for sports development and youth engagement in Nigeria.

OTN News observes that the appeal for intentional, positively tuned reportage of the National Sports Festival by the Governor’s Aide is coming less than 24 hours after the 22nd National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2024, was officially declared open in a colourful ceremony at the newly renovated MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta and amid a report of marginalization in the scheme of activities and organisation of the games from some quarters in the state.

OTN News further observes that following the successful staging of the colourful opening ceremony for the Gateway Games on Sunday, a pourpourri of commendations and encomiums from the Presidency, avretinue of prominent Nigerians as well as Netizens online have flowed ceaselessly to Prince Dapo Abiodun for taking the organisation of the games so personal, overseeing that it turns out to be an unprecedented experience in the history of National Sports Festival in the country.