The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council, has honoured the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, with the title of Media Games Ambassador ahead of the 2026 NUJ Media Games scheduled to hold from October 5 to 10 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

The honour was conferred on Wednesday during a ceremony held at the Agege Local Government Secretariat, where the union cited Obasa’s contributions to grassroots development and sports promotion as the basis for the recognition.

Presenting the award, Chairman of the NUJ Lagos State Council, Adeleye Ajayi, described Obasa as a visionary leader whose administration has distinguished itself through people-centred policies, strategic infrastructure development and sustained efforts to improve residents’ welfare.

According to Ajayi, Agege has emerged as a model of progressive local governance under Obasa’s leadership, particularly through investments in community development and youth empowerment.

He noted that one of the defining features of the administration is its commitment to grassroots sports development, stressing that the council has consistently invested in sporting infrastructure and youth-focused initiatives aimed at promoting talent discovery, healthy living and social cohesion.

“Your administration understands the transformative power of sports in promoting youth engagement, talent discovery, healthy living and social cohesion. Through deliberate investments in sporting infrastructure and youth-focused initiatives, you have demonstrated that sustainable community development begins with empowering young people and providing them with opportunities to excel,” Ajayi said.

He added that the NUJ Sports Committee selected Obasa as one of its distinguished Media Games Ambassadors in recognition of his commitment to sports development and community advancement.
Responding, Obasa expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the honour, describing the recognition as an encouragement to do more in promoting youth development through sports.

He commended journalists for their role in informing the public, saying the media remains an indispensable partner in governance.

“Without journalists, much of the work we do would not be known to the public. I appreciate the media for shining the spotlight on our activities, and we will continue to do more to engage young people through sports,” he said.

The council chairman noted that sports have become a major source of employment and economic growth in many countries, expressing optimism that Nigeria could harness the sector’s enormous potential.

He reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to sports development, highlighting initiatives such as the Obasa Games and the Obasa Summer Games, which, he said, have been sustained over the past four years to keep young people positively engaged.

Obasa also pledged the support of the Agege Local Government for the forthcoming NUJ Media Games, assuring organisers that the Agege Stadium would be made available for the competition.

“We are proud to be associated with any initiative that promotes sports in Lagos and Nigeria. Our facilities at the Agege Stadium will be available for the Media Games, and we will fully support the event,” he said.

The chairman further announced that the local government would inaugurate its maiden Lagos Mini Football League on July 31, describing it as the first competition of its kind in the state.

The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of a customised NUJ Media Games jersey and face cap to Obasa by the NUJ chairman and members of the council.

Earlier, Chairman of the Media Games Committee, Ayodele Ojedokun, commended Obasa for his unwavering support for sports development and urged journalists across the state to prepare for an exciting and memorable edition of the Media Games.

The 2026 NUJ Media Games is expected to promote friendship, healthy competition, professional networking and physical fitness among media practitioners.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the Assistant Secretary of the NUJ Lagos State Council, Olayide Awosanya, and a member of the Media Games Committee, Anulika Menaya.