Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Development as MOUAU Wins Abia Tertiary Games

Posted : 09 November 2026

Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sports development and education following the successful conclusion of the second Abia State Tertiary Education Sports Fiesta in Umuahia.

The competition brought together 18 tertiary institutions across the state, with participants competing in 24 sporting events. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), emerged overall winner after securing 110 medals.

MOUAU finished with 47 gold, 47 silver and 42 bronze medals to claim the top position in the competition. Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic finished second with 98 medals, comprising 47 gold, 31 silver and 20 bronze.

Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), occupied third position with 87 medals, including 37 gold, 29 silver and 21 bronze. Gregory University, Uturu, finished fourth with 68 medals, comprising 37 gold, 15 silver and 16 bronze.

Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Umuahia Township Stadium, Governor Otti described sports as an important part of students' overall development.

Represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, the governor said education should extend beyond academic qualifications to include physical, mental and social development.

He noted that bringing 18 institutions together to compete in 24 sporting events represented an important achievement for the state's education and sports sectors.

Otti also stressed that developing educational infrastructure must go hand in hand with preparing students mentally and socially for life beyond the classroom.

He congratulated the participating institutions and athletes, adding that the benefits of the competition extended beyond medals and trophies. He also commended the commissioners responsible for tertiary education and youth and sports development, alongside other officials involved in organising the event.

Sports as a tool for student development

The Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Professor Uche Eme Uche, said the competition was established on the understanding that education goes beyond classroom instruction and academic performance.

She explained that physical fitness and participation in sports are important components of students' holistic development. She also thanked Governor Otti for sponsoring the competition.

According to her, the second edition demonstrated increased interest in the initiative and its potential to encourage sporting participation among students across the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Central Working Committee and Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Dr Emeka Enyiazu, described the fiesta as more than a sporting competition.

Enyiazu said the event promoted unity, inclusion, talent discovery and opportunities for young people to demonstrate their abilities.

He noted that bringing federal, state and private institutions together created a common platform where sporting talent could take centre stage regardless of institutional affiliation.

He also highlighted the values displayed by participating students, including discipline, teamwork, resilience and healthy competition.

Enyiazu expressed optimism that the competition would help identify future national and international athletes, providing them with an opportunity to begin their sporting journeys through the state-level initiative.

Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Sports Development as MOUAU Wins Abia Tertiary Games

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics