The Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) has reinforced its commitment to youth empowerment and socioeconomic growth through a strategic partnership with The Athletics School Games (TASG)

The TASG is an annual sporting event bringing together young athletes from private schools in Lagos, Biztellers reports.

The initiative aligns with the NGX Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) focus on community development, underscoring the Group’s belief in nurturing well-rounded future leaders through sports, discipline, and teamwork.

Held on Saturday, March 22nd, at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, the event provided a dynamic platform for students to showcase their athletic talent while cultivating essential life skills such as resilience, collaboration, and leadership, qualities critical for success in today’s competitive global economy.

The involvement of NGX Group extends beyond sponsorship, reflecting a deliberate strategy to support initiatives that bridge education, leadership, and economic opportunity.

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Head, Group Communications and Partnerships at NGX Group, Clifford Akpolo, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “As a key institution in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, NGX Group understands that sustainable development begins with investing in human capital. Our support for The Athletics School Games goes beyond sports, it is about equipping young Nigerians with the discipline, teamwork, and determination needed to excel in business, finance, and entrepreneurship. This initiative is a cornerstone of our broader mission to foster a resilient economy powered by capable, well-rounded individuals.”

On his part, the event’s initiator, Seun Akinbohun, highlighted TASG’s role in unlocking opportunities for young athletes: “This initiative is designed to create pathways for athletes to excel and be discovered by scouts. There are so many opportunities for kids in TASG, and I am glad we are contributing to their development. We have expanded the event to include more participants, age categories, and flexibility. I am excited to bring the experience from the first edition into the second, with a larger technical committee and more experienced personnel.”

The event featured a wide range of track and field competitions, including sprints, relays, long-distance races, high jump and long jump. Beyond medals and trophies, the games emphasized personal growth, resilience, and the value of teamwork, qualities that extend far beyond the sporting arena into leadership and professional development.

By collaborating with organizations like TASG, NGX Group continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s future workforce. This partnership exemplifies how private sector engagement in youth development can create lasting socioeconomic impact, aligning with NGX Group’s vision of a more inclusive and sustainable economy.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch tour continued through Edo State with the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa and the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Honorable Amadin Enabulele and Festival Ambassador, Patience Igbiti on hand to receive it.

The Festival Torch which commenced the tour of the nine mandate states of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Bayelsa State, is part of events the organisers are using to create awareness for the games which holds in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.

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About 3000 Athletes will be competing for honours in 17 sporting events with an age restriction of not over 25 years of age.

The competition will hold at five venues including the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo Township Stadium, Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, Itam West Secondary School and Ultrafit Sports Club.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) torch has begun its tour of the participating nine states in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State after being lit and cheered on by a throng of enthusiatic athletes, sports administrators, government officials and the general public.

The ceremonial festival ritual at the Samson Siasia Stadium where the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was presented the Torch by the State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Daniel Igali who had received from the State Director of Sports, Sir Braveman Wodi.

Ewhrudjakpo in his brief remarks at the ceremony said the state would excel at the festival which holds in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from April 1-8.

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“Bayelsa state is very ready and will be among the three states to mount the podium at the end of the games”, the state’s second citizen told the moderate crowd.

It was the Director of Sports and Vice Chairman Bayelsa State Committee, Sir Wodi, who lighted the torch at the stadium entrance in company of the committee members, coaches and athletes before moving towards the main bowl where he handed it over to the Hon. Igali.

Receiving the Festival Torch, the Deputy Governor who gave thumbs up to the sponsors for the initiative, emphasized the importance of sports to the socioeconomic development of every society, including spoting raw talents, and engaging them into meaningful ventures.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo who represented the Governor at the brief event, stressed the priorities of the state to include education and sports due to the involvement of youths in both sectors, hence, Bayelsa’s active participation and dominance in almost all sporting events in the country, adding that the Niger Delta Sports Festival will not be an exception.

He said, “I wish to express the sentiments and emotions of Bayelsa State to the Niger Delta Development Commission for bringing out resources to sponsor this competition which is it’s maiden edition.”

“We believe that this sports festival will discover hidden talents across the Niger Delta region. For us as a state, sports is not just a festival but a tool for crime control and also a tool for empowerment of our youths and liberation of minds.”

To the athletes, he said, “Please be at your best, go and come back with victory, and for all that is needed to excel, be rest assured that your government will be there for you”.

Hon. Igali said the festival will give the Niger Delta states a sense of belonging in the realm of sports, and give the state enough grounds to prepare for the National Sports Festival.

On Bayelsa being the first state to light the torch, the Commissioner said, “The Unity Torch started today with Bayelsa, which signifies the importance of the state in the Niger Delta and a good sign that we are noted in sports in the region and Nigeria at large.”

“We have seventeen sports, and we will be participating in all the seventeen sports in Uyo, and we are ready”.

Director of Sports, Sir Wodi, noted the importance of the Niger Delta Sports Festival,saying “it will further expose more talents, and we will use the games for our preparation for the National Sports Festival”.

Also present at the event was the representative of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs Itekesi Walama, who added that preparations were in top gear, as the interventionist agency was ready to receive the nine Niger Delta states, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.