Delta State, the reigning champion of the 2022 National Sports Festival, has officially received the Unity Torch for the upcoming 2025 edition of the festival, which will be hosted in Abeokuta, Ogun State, from May 16 to 30.
The Unity Torch team arrived in Asaba in a festive atmosphere, marked by cultural displays and vibrant performances. The delegation was received by members of the Delta contingent, with the torch formally handed over to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented at the ceremony by Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme.
In his address, Governor Oborevwori described the Unity Torch as a powerful symbol of national unity, peace, and sportsmanship, emphasizing his administration’s dedication to using sports as a tool for youth empowerment and social cohesion.
“This symbolic torch is more than just the herald of another edition of our nation’s premier multi-sport event—it embodies the enduring spirit of national integration and unity that binds us together as Nigerians,” he stated.
Oborevwori also highlighted Delta State’s rich legacy in sports, celebrating its role as both host and overall winner of the 2022 festival.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the team leader of the Unity Torch delegation, Mrs. Ikanah Bora, explained that President Bola Tinubu had flagged off the Unity Torch relay in Abuja on March 25, 2025, with the goal of touring all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, promoting the message that sports unite Nigerians across all divides.
“We’ve covered nearly the entire country—from the North West, North Central, and North East, to the South East and South South,” Bora said. “Delta is a key stop on this journey, and from here, we move to Edo before heading to the South West and ultimately Abeokuta.”
She commended Delta’s impressive track record in sports and urged the state to continue its investment in youth and to help raise awareness for the upcoming festival.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Onoriode Oborevwori, reaffirmed the state’s readiness for the event.
“As defending champions, Delta is fully prepared for the 2025 National Sports Festival—Nigeria’s own Olympic Games,” he said. “Receiving the Unity Torch is a reminder that sports bring us together, regardless of our cultural, ethnic, or linguistic differences.”
The 2025 National Sports Festival promises to bring together top athletes from across the country in a celebration of talent, unity, and national pride.