…as Igbobi College, Yaba, holds its 91st interhouse sports competition
Sports remain a vital pillar of students’ all-round development, fostering discipline, teamwork, leadership and resilience beyond the classroom, Akintunde Sawyerr, the managing director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), has said.
Sawyerr, who is an old student of Igbobi College, Yaba, Lagos, made this observation during the college’s 91st Inter-House Sports Competition, an event that brought together students, school authorities, alumni and other stakeholders to celebrate sporting excellence and the role of athletics in shaping young people’s character and future.
He stressed the need for schools to sustain investment in sports as an integral part of education, noting that participation in sporting activities helps students build confidence, develop healthy competitive instincts and acquire life skills essential for success.
“Sports play a vital role in the development of every student. Beyond the medals, trophies, and applause, sports teach us lessons that remain relevant throughout our lives.
“They teach us discipline, perseverance, courage, respect for others, and the importance of working together towards a common goal,” he said.
Sawyerr, who was the chairman of the day, noted that on the sports field people will witness speed, strength, agility, determination, and perhaps a few surprises.
However, he reminded the participants that while winning is desirable, the true measure of success lies in the manner in which they compete. “Victory achieved with integrity is far more valuable than victory achieved through unfair means.
“Let us therefore compete honorably, respect the officials, encourage our fellow competitors, and accept the outcome of every contest with maturity and grace,” he emphasised.
He encouraged all the athletes to give their very best, run with determination, jump with courage, and throw with precision, and compete with all their heart.
“Remember that every champion was once a competitor who refused to give up. Whether you finish first or last, your effort, attitude, and conduct make you proud.
“To the house captains, team coaches, and sports masters, I commend your leadership and dedication. You have a responsibility not only to prepare your teams for competition, but also to instill in them the values of discipline, unity, and fair play,” he said.
Joseph Adediji, the principal of Igbobi College, Yaba, reminded the athletes that they were not gathered merely to compete for medals, trophies, and bragging rights, but to celebrate the enduring values that have sustained the institution for over nine decades.
“Discipline, perseverance, teamwork, courage, integrity, and excellence; ninety-one years is not a small number. It represents a remarkable legacy of educational excellence, character formation, leadership development, and savvy humanity.
“Since its establishment, Igbobi College has nurtured and continues to nurture young men who distinguish themselves in academics, sports, leadership, and service to society. Today’s event is another opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to producing not only intellectually sound students, but also physically fit, morally upright, emotionally balanced, and socially responsible young men,” he said.
Similarly, Adediji emphasised that sports are an essential part of education.
“Sports teach lessons that cannot always be learned within the four walls of a classroom. On the sports field, our boys learn that success requires preparation, discipline, sacrifice, determination, and willingness to work together.
“They learn to win with humility, lose with dignity, respect their opponents, and rise again after disappointment,” he noted.
Moreover, he emphasised that the education that comes from sports goes beyond academic achievement, and that the school remains committed to providing opportunities for the students to discover their talents, develop their abilities, and fulfill their God-given potential.
Besides, he noted that these lessons are invaluable, not only for sporting success, but also for the challenges of life.
“Indeed, the discipline required to cross a finishing line, the courage to attend a difficult event, and the teamwork needed to achieve a common goal are qualities that boys will need throughout their lives,” he emphasised.
He urged the athletes to give their best, compete with passion, run with determination, jump with courage, and play with integrity.
“Let your performance demonstrate the values for which Igbobi is known. We are always at the top. Remember, however, that the true measure of a champion is not only the number of medals won, but also the character displayed in the process of competing,” he said.
At the end of the competition, Aggrey House (Blue) emerged as the overall best, while Parker House (Purple) and Oluwole House (Yellow) took the second and third positions, respectively.
Charles Ogwo is a proactive journalist, driving education, and business innovations for over 10 years. He leads initiatives leveraging tech to enhance storytelling and build topnotch performing team. Charles is passionate about harnessing technology to inform, engage and empower communities.
