IG Underscores Role of Sports in Promoting  National Cohesion 

*As 14th Biennial Police Games, Oluyole 2024, kicks off in Ibadan

Kingsley Nwezeh  in Abuja

The Inspector General of Police,  Kayode  Egbetokun, said at the weekend that the Nigeria Police Force will leverage on its sporting capabilities to improve on peace, unity, stability, and development of Nigeria.

The IG stated that the Nigeria Police Sports remains instrumental to producing champions representing the country nationally and internationally in various sporting competitions.

The IG spoke at the opening of the 14th Biennial Police Games tagged “Oluyole 2024” at the Adamasingba Sports Centre in Ibadan.

The event was declared open by Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who represented President Bola Tinubu as the special guest of honour.

Egbetokun emphasised the vital role of sports in fostering camaraderie, discipline, and mutual respect among officers and members of the public, noting that such competitions served as platforms for promoting teamwork, physical fitness, and healthy competition among officers from various commands and formations of the force.

Speaking on the theme: “Competing for Peace, Unity, Stability, and Development of Nigeria”, the IG stressed that the 14th Biennial Police Games symbolised the collective resolve of the Nigeria Police Force to promote national cohesion and solidarity through spirited participation in various sporting events to showcase the athletic prowess of officers while “reinforcing the values of professionalism, integrity, and service to the nation which are crucial to our collective safety and national development in Nigeria”.

A statement issued by Force Headquarters in Abuja  said “the IG while appreciating the governor and good people of Oyo State for their support in hosting the event, extended a warm invitation to the public to join in celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie during the 14th Biennial Police Games by uniting in cheering the sportsmen on, in this renewed drive to bring policing closer to the people through sports, as the force intends to showcase and discover new talents in the sports circle of the police towards national development”.