The Nigerian Navy Ship Delta in Warri has turned a two-day sports event into a powerful tool for breaking down barriers between security agencies, all as part of the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
The action kicked off Tuesday with a children’s football match featuring kids from the host community, followed by a volleyball game mixing military and paramilitary personnel. The next day saw female football, tug of war, and a mixed-agency football match that brought everyone together on the pitch.
Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Shehu Mohammed Tasiu, made it clear that this was about more than just games. “Sport is medicine for the body and strength for the mind,” he said, adding that regular exercise builds healthy hearts and sharp minds. For the children, he emphasized, sport teaches coordination, resilience, and confidence. “Every goal scored is a lesson in focus, fair play, and self-belief. A healthy child becomes a healthy adult who can contribute meaningfully to society.”
Tasiu stressed that on the football pitch, no child wins alone, and on the volleyball court, no agency scores alone. “You must pass, cover, communicate, and trust each other. Those are the same values the Nigerian Navy lives by every day at sea: unity of purpose, mutual support, and winning together for the nation.”
He noted that the event was deliberately designed to include children, because the Navy of tomorrow will be built by the children of today. “When they run on this field with our officers and ratings, they see us not just as uniformed personnel, but as mentors, neighbors, and friends.”
On the second day, Tasiu explained that the essence of the activities was to enhance effective planning, coordination, and working toward the same objectives. He made a striking point: there would be no winners or losers. “Because out there, when we operate as integrated agencies, there is no winner, no loser. We all work towards the same objectives. The matches we are going to witness will demonstrate that whatever team plans, prepares, and works effectively together will win.”
Participants came from the Navy, Army, Airforce, Police, NSCDC, Customs, NDLEA, DSS, FRSC, Immigration, and Correctional Services, turning the field into a rare meeting ground for Nigeria’s security apparatus.
