By TINA TIMOTHY

As Nigeria gets ready to host the 2nd Africa Military Games (AMGA) 2024, the first being held by Kenya twenty four years ago, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR, has visited the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh, seeking for collaboration and support for the smooth hosting of the event, which he believes has many advantages for Nigeria in particular and the spirit of oneness amongst African military men and women in general.

A statement Issued on Monday, July 22, 2024 by Captain Lurwanu Abdulkadir of the Nigerian Navy on behalf of the Acting Director, Defence Information, disclosed that the CDS was accompanied by the Director of Sports – Defence Head Quarters (DHQ), Air Vice Marshal Abidemi Marquis and other senior officers of DHQ.

The statement read: "In preparation towards the successful hosting of the upcoming Africa Military Games (AMGA) 2024 in Abuja from 5-18 November 2024, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Gwabin Musa OFR has today, 22 July 2024 paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh.

“The visit was essentially to seek for collaboration and support for the smooth hosting of the event. The CDS said during the visit that the event will not be complete without the support of the Sports Ministry.

“The CDS while congratulating the Minister on spending one year in office also said his visit is to officially intimate the Minister of the forthcoming event and to seek for best areas of collaboration. He 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”.

“The CDS fervently believes that the Games will further forge cooperation, friendliness, brotherhood and the spirit of oneness amongst African military men and women.”

On his part, the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, while assuring the CDS of the Ministry’s support, enumerated the benefits of hosting the game and commended the army, adding that “hosting the AMGA is a huge plus to the military and the country at large”.

The statement continues: “The Honourable Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan while welcoming the CDS and his entourage, thanked him for the visit.

“According to the Minister, hosting the AMGA is a huge plus to the military and the country at large as Nigeria has not hosted any major sport in recent times. He added that the benefits of hosting this game is enormous. Senator Owan identified infrastructural development, mutual cooperation and other benefits.

“He further said 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 is a great feat to see that Nigeria is to host the second event after many years.”

According to the statement, it is expected that more than 54 African countries will compete in 19 sporting events during the AMGA.

“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,” the statement read.

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