Benue absent at Gateway Games 2025 opening ceremony, arrives late — Official

Benue State was notably absent during the opening ceremony of the ongoing National Sports Festival, tagged Gateway Games 2025, currently underway in Ogun State.

The event, which officially kicked off on May 18 and is scheduled to run through May 30, featured a colorful ceremonial parade with contingents from nearly all states in the country — except Benue, which had no representation during the march-past at the opening.

Checks by this reporter confirmed that Benue was the only state without a registered contingent present at the time of the ceremony.

Efforts to obtain an official explanation from the Benue State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, proved unsuccessful, as calls and text messages were not returned as of press time.

However, clarity has emerged from within the state’s sports community. Speaking to reporters, Emmanuel Agye, Secretary of the Benue Wrestling Association, confirmed that the state’s athletes had arrived in Ogun State — albeit belatedly.

“We are here already. Benue is here. We arrived late due to some hurdles on the way, but we are present now and ready to participate,” Agye said.

Despite the initial absence, Benue is now expected to participate fully in the sporting events lined up in the coming days.