A pro-government advocacy group has turned to grassroots sports as a strategy to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and to foster youth engagement in community life. The Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT) organised a series of sporting competitions culminating in a grand finale on Tuesday at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, where participants and supporters hailed the initiative as both developmental and patriotic.
The event, attended by youths from across Ondo State, brought together competitors in football, athletics, table tennis and traditional games like ayo, engaging communities in healthy competition while highlighting the aims of the group.
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, the Director-General of GMT in Ondo State, outlined the dual purpose of the initiative: to encourage youth participation through sport and to build broader awareness of the government’s priorities.
“The sport festival serves as a platform to mobilise grassroots support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, providing young people with opportunities to showcase their talents in a competitive but friendly environment,” Yusuf-Ogunleye told journalists and participants.
He framed the festival as a tool for unity and discipline among youths, noting its alignment with President Tinubu’s emphasis on empowering the younger generation and promoting constructive engagement in national development.
“Our vision is clear: to mobilise grassroots support for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while enlightening citizens about policies that aim to strengthen the economy, create jobs, secure lives and restore national confidence. “Our mission is to engage, educate and empower, peacefully and patriotically, ensuring that governance is understood not as distant politics but as shared responsibility,” he added.
While the initiative bore undertones of political support, leaders of the movement were careful to frame the activities within legal boundaries, stressing that formal campaigning for the 2027 general election has not yet begun.
In his remarks, Mr. Tola Banjo, GMT’s Director-General in Ogun State, reiterated the focus on showcasing the administration’s accomplishments, rather than overtly campaigning for future elections. He described the sports festival as an avenue for promoting grassroots development and encouraging youth involvement at the community level.
The Minister of Interior, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who sponsored the sports festival, received commendation from organisers for his “steadfast support and encouragement” of the initiative.
Participants and spectators at the event praised the initiative for bringing communities together and providing young people a platform to demonstrate their talents. Many described the festival as an innovative blend of sport and civic participation, with the potential to strengthen community bonds and enhance awareness of national policies.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic and social challenges, the use of sports as a civic engagement tool is gaining traction. Organisers of the GMT festival believe that such grassroots activities can foster national unity, promote positive values among young Nigerians, and build constructive dialogue between government initiatives and citizens at the local level.
