MOUAU VC Receives 2026 Abia Tertiary Institutions Sports Festival Torch, Highlights Role of Sports in National Development

The Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, has described sports as a powerful tool for national development, talent discovery and unity among institutions.

Professor Akanwa made this known while receiving the Torch of Peace and Unity for the 2026 Abia State Tertiary Institutions Sports Festival (ASTISF) from a delegation led by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Tertiary Education, Dr Chukwuemeka Enyiazu.

She commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for initiating the festival, noting that sports could promote unity and development at individual, state and national levels.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, sports fosters bonding, enhances visibility and provides a valuable platform for discovering talents across different fields. She expressed optimism that the festival would uncover talents capable of contributing to the development of Abia State and Nigeria.

Professor Akanwa also urged participating students and athletes to uphold discipline and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the competition.

In his address, Dr Enyiazu, who chairs the festival's organising committee, said the event was established to strengthen unity among tertiary institutions in Abia State. He reaffirmed Governor Otti's commitment to inclusive sports and urged participating institutions to ensure that persons with disabilities were included in the competition.

He stressed that persons with disabilities were equally eligible to participate and had valuable contributions to make.

The Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, represented by Comrade Jerry Basil Ude, and the Senior Adviser to the Governor on Student Affairs, Comrade Chinedu Nwosu, also described the festival as an avenue for talent discovery, youth development, institutional friendship and healthy competition.

They encouraged students to develop their abilities and make the most of the opportunities offered by the sporting event.

The 2026 Abia State Tertiary Institutions Sports Festival is scheduled to hold from November 3 to 6 at the Umuahia Township Stadium. The event is expected to bring together students and athletes from federal, state and privately owned tertiary institutions across Abia State to compete, build relationships and demonstrate excellence, discipline and sportsmanship.