NIPOGA Opening: Fedpoffa team wins 3-0 against Nassarawa in debut match

Governing Council Chair, Rector task contingents on fair play

The Federal Polytechnic Offa football team has won its debut match against Federal Polytechnic Nassarawa State during the opening ceremony of the 22nd edition of NIPOGA games held on Saturday 5 April 2025.

The Federal Polytechnic Offa emerged winner with three goals to nil against Nassarawa making it the first winning of the tournament.

The event tagged Ijakadi Offa 2024 featured 56 Polytechnics who assembled on Oyewole Olatona football pitch for match pass to mark the significant opening of NIPOGA games. The ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, traditional rulers, political actors, business moguls, heads of tertiary institutions, adding splendor and glamour to the event.

In his opening address, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Alhaji Moshood Oluwole Ojikutu, welcomed dignitaries, athletes, and officials to the 22nd edition of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games.

Alhaji Ojikutu celebrated the occasion as the Polytechnic is hosting the national sporting event for the first time, he praised the efforts of the institution’s Governing Council, management, staff, and students for making it possible.

He extended appreciation to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and other stakeholders for their support in organizing the event and making it a success.

“NIPOGA was established to foster peaceful coexistence among Nigerian students and to discover and nurture sporting talents for national representation. Since the Federal Polytechnic Offa secured the hosting rights, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that this event is carried out smoothly, in line with the core values and objectives of NIPOGA.” He stated.

He therefore admonished all teams to embrace the spirit of peace, unity, and togetherness, which are the cornerstones of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games.

Earlier in his address, the Honorable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa represented by Dr. Ejeh Usman congratulated the Polytechnic for hosting the national event. He urged the athletes to embrace peace and see the games as an avenue to make friends and explore talents.

Similarly, the NBTE Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Bugaje commended the management’s efforts to host the sporting event. He emphasized that the NIPOGA fosters unity and talent discovery among students in the Polytechnics.

” I urged participants to play with love and fairness, NIPOGA is not a battlefield, respect the rules and respect the officials,” he said.

Also speaking, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa and President of the NIPOGA Caretaker Committee, Engr. Dr. Kadiri Kamoru Oluwatoyin FNSE, expressed deep gratitude to God and warmly welcomed dignitaries, athletes, and guests to the Polytechnic.

Dr. Kadiri described NIPOGA as a testament to the school’s transformation and growing national prominence. He thanked the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology (COHEADS) and the NIPOGA Council for the trust reposed in the Polytechnic by granting it hosting rights for the first time in three decades of existence of the institution.

According to him, “Distinguished contingents, today, we are on the threshold of history as this year’s edition will be more than just a game. The gaze of the entire country is upon us as we host the entire nation and open a new chapter in our history. The 10-day ceremony will feature about 12 sporting activities and over 5,000 students and officials who have secured slots to compete for medals in various sports are expected to participate in the games that will continue to run till the closing ceremony on April 12, 2025. NIPOGA Games will be viewable from all over the country. I, therefore, appeal to all participants and officials to put up their best performance and adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the tournament.

Dr. Kadiri therefore appreciated the presence of Ataoja of Osogbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Laroye II, Aragbiji of Iragbiji, His Royal Majesty Oba Abdul Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, Olofa of Offa representives, Chief Asalofa of Offa and Chief Alagure of Offa, Kwara South Senator, Arc. Lola Ashiru among other dignitaries.