– NiDCOM Chair pledges international partnerships to boost youth sports empowerment
The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has lavished praise on the organisers of the SouthWest Games 2025, describing it as “a masterstroke in youth empowerment and regional cohesion.”
Dabiri-Erewa gave the glowing endorsement while hosting the Organizing Committee of his team during a courtesy visit to her Lagos office. She extolled the tournament as an inspiring and well-timed intervention that leverages the power of sports to cultivate discipline, community spirit, and talent discovery among the youth.
“I must commend the dynamic team, for this extraordinary endeavour,” Dabiri-Erewa said. “The SouthWest Games stands as a brilliant testimony to how grassroots sports can ignite unity, pride, and purpose among young Nigerians. What you have birthed here is very admirable.”
The NiDCOM boss, herself a former athlete who once competed in 400-metre races, spoke with visible enthusiasm about the initiative’s potential. She revealed her deep personal passion for sports, recalling her own youthful experiences on the track and underscoring how sports build character, resilience, and ambition.
“I am genuinely thrilled about this project,” she enthused. “Sports shaped my early years, and I can attest to the profound life skills it imparts. The South WestGames is a gateway to brighter futures, and it deserves every support it can get.”
Going a step further, Dabiri-Erewa pledged to facilitate connections between the organisers and foreign-based athletes and institutions keen on supporting youth-focused sporting initiatives. She assured the SouthWest Games team of her support, promising to stand with them as they scale new heights.
“You are not alone on this journey,” she affirmed. “I will personally link you with diaspora athletes and stakeholders who are eager to invest in initiatives that empower our youth and develop sports at the grassroots level. Consider me an ally every step of the way.”
The SouthWest Games, which recently concluded its inaugural edition featuring the six states of the region, has attracted widespread acclaim for its robust structure, impressive participation rates, and emphasis on community development through sports.
Responding to Dabiri-Erewa’s endorsement, the Spokesperson for the Southwest Games, Mr Victor Alaba Ganzallo expressed heartfelt gratitude, describing her support as “a resounding validation from a revered leader.”
“To be received so warmly and encouraged so passionately by Hon. Dabiri-Erewa is deeply motivating,” Ganzallo said. “Her words reaffirm the value of what we are building and embolden us to dream even bigger. With champions like her in our corner, the South West Games is poised to evolve into a national and even international phenomenon.”
He also revealed that consultations have commenced with other regional stakeholders aimed at expanding the Games’ model to other parts of the country, positioning it as a national blueprint for youth sports development.
The SouthWest Games 2025, celebrated as a groundbreaking multi-sport event, has now firmly established itself as a powerful platform for youth engagement, regional unity, and national development through sports.
As Ganzallo concluded, “We appreciate Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her support. Her belief in our vision gives us the momentum to dream without limits.”
