President Bola Tinubu has called on African militaries to unite in addressing the continent’s security challenges, emphasising the importance of cooperation and solidarity in fostering peace and stability.
The President made this appeal on Wednesday while declaring open the second edition of the Africa Military Games at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described the event as a historic platform to enhance military cooperation, camaraderie, and unity across Africa.
Themed “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sports,” the games mark a revival of the tradition initiated over two decades ago in Nairobi, Kenya.
President Tinubu emphasised the collective effort required to address Africa’s security threats, stating, “Our collective safety and the well-being of our people demand that we stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one united Africa.”
He hailed the Games as a symbol of the cooperation that binds military institutions across the continent.
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“This occasion is more than a gathering of extraordinary athletes; it is an undeniable reminder of what we can achieve when we stand together—not just as neighbours, but as guardians of a continent,” the President added.
He commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General C.G. Musa, and the President of the Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Major General M. Abdullahi, for their leadership in reviving the event.
Mr Tinubu also highlighted the importance of sports in instilling discipline, resilience, and physical fitness among military personnel, key traits for addressing diverse security challenges.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa, echoed the President’s sentiments, stressing that the games are a celebration of both physical prowess and the bond that unites armed forces across Africa.
He urged the 1,625 athletes and officials from across the continent to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship.
Maj. Gen. Maikano Abdullahi, President of OSMA, praised Nigeria’s leadership in hosting the Games and emphasised their role in fostering unity, friendship, and solidarity among African armed forces.
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The opening ceremony featured a range of performances, including a callisthenics display, artist showcases, flag hoisting, and the symbolic lighting of the Games torch by Vice President Shettima.
Dignitaries in attendance included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, represented by Babajimi Benson; the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and service chiefs from Nigeria’s armed forces, among others.
The games, which aim to strengthen military cooperation through sports, will feature participants from various African nations competing in multiple disciplines, reinforcing the shared vision of a safer, united continent.
