The Director Normal and Chief Govt Officer of the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, has recommended the Chief of Defence Staff, Normal Christopher Musa, for efficiently organizing the 4th Version of the Chief of Defence Staff Unity Basketball Championship (South-West Zone).
Comrade Shaibu, who was among the many dignitaries current on the grand finale of the championship, praised Normal Musa for utilizing sports activities as a platform to advertise peace, unity, and youth engagement throughout the nation.
He famous that the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities is ready to associate with the Nigerian Armed Forces within the coaching and retraining of their athletes and coaches.
“The Chief of Defence Staff isn’t solely a passionate sports activities fanatic but in addition an avid basketball participant who understands the unifying energy of sports activities,” Shaibu mentioned. “This championship has strengthened civil-military cooperation, fostered peaceable coexistence within the South-West, and positively engaged the youth throughout and after the Independence Day celebration.”
He additional acknowledged that the initiative aligns with the operational philosophy of each the Defence Headquarters and the Nationwide Institute for Sports activities, which emphasize using non-kinetic methods to advertise peace, safety, nationwide growth, and the expansion of the sporting ecosystem.
The 2025 South-West Zone version of the championship passed off from September 30 to October 5, 2025, on the Teslim Balogun Stadium and the Nationwide Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
A complete of 12 groups participated from throughout the South-West geopolitical zone, together with two invited groups from neighboring states. The groups included Fountain Basketball Membership (Ekiti), Hoops N Learn (Lagos), Dodan Warriors Academy (Lagos), Sports activities Nation 365 Membership (Lagos), Ogun Rockets, Ondo Raiders, Osun United, Oluyole Warriors (Oyo), University of Ibadan Membership (Oyo), Edo Beads, Delta Power Basketball, and Nigeria Police Power Baton.
The event highlighted the facility of sports activities as a device for unity and peacebuilding whereas showcasing the rising expertise and enthusiasm for basketball throughout the areas.
