By Victor Okoye
Abuja, April 17, 2024 (NAN) The organisers of the 2024 Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Games (NOGIG) have said that the objective of the game is to empower wellness and ignite productivity.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2024 NOGIG which is in its 19th edition is expected to kick off on Sunday and end on April 27 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Dr Ifeinwa Mojo-eyes, Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Games told newsmen at a pre-event press conference on Wednesday that the Games would feature no fewer that 1,500 participants from across 13 Oil and Gas companies taking part in 13 different sporting events.
Mojo-eyes said the idea behind this year’s theme, “Empower wellness, Ignite Productivity” was aimed at promoting healthy workforce that will be productive at all times and give its best to its employer.
“The health benefits of engaging in sports cannot be overemphasized. A healthy workforce or a healthy nation is the best because you get the best from the employees and it gives you the best of results.
“This is the first time we are holding the games since the COVID-19 lock down with the last edition in 2020 and several organisations have always been interested in just production alone.
“So, part of the message we are trying to pass across is that for you to achieve high productivity, you need a healthy workforce.
“A healthy workforce does not only increase productivity but also reduces cost because the healthier your workforce, the less you will spend on medical bills.
“We also intend to come together, synergize, network, but most importantly is the health benefits,” she said.
Mr Chido Okoli, the LOC’s 1st Vice Chairman stressed that the games was not about competing for prize monies but more about networking.
Okoli however said that there would be mouth-watering prizes and trophies for winners of the different sporting events.
He noted that the event was in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of FCT, Ministry of Petroleum as well as other stakeholders.
NAN also reports that the companies taking part in the games are; NNPC, ExxoMobil, Seplat Energy, Aradel Holdings, Oando, Shell, Chevron, Nigeria LNG Limited, and TotalEnergies.
Others include; Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The 13 games to be competed for include; football, basketball, volleyball, golf, tennis, table-tennis, squash, athletics, swimming, chess, pool and scrabble.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)