The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has reiterated its commitment to enhancing staff wellness, unity, and productivity through sports, as it flagged off the maiden Inter-Regional Football Competition in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Wednesday, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, emphasized the importance of physical fitness and interdepartmental collaboration within the organization. Kuku, who was represented by Mr. Rindap Domtur, Acting Regional Manager, North Central, said the initiative is part of the authority’s broader strategy to promote workplace harmony and employee well-being.
“There’s an old saying: ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.’ It’s not every time we focus solely on work. While we carry out our duties, it’s equally important to keep fit and remain happy,” she said.
Kuku noted that football and other sporting activities encourage staff interaction across different regions, providing a unique platform for networking and personal development.
“By participating in football and other sports, FAAN workers can develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and improve their overall well-being,” she added.
According to her, the sporting initiative has already begun to foster unity among staff, especially as it offers many employees from outstations their first opportunity to visit the nation’s capital.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Omotosho Oyinye, FAAN’s General Manager of Welfare Management Services and Chairperson of the Sports Committee, noted that beyond physical fitness, the programme also helps to build emotional resilience and mental toughness, which are critical to workplace productivity.
She acknowledged some initial challenges in coordination but said such hurdles were expected in events of this scale.
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“The minor issues we faced during preparation were not unexpected. For a programme of this magnitude, such challenges are part of the process,” she said.
Mr. Adeleye Taiwo, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, highlighted that this is the first time FAAN’s internal football competition is being extended beyond Lagos to involve regional airports.
“We’ve had this competition in Lagos for over 12 years, but the outstations were never included,” Taiwo said. “Now, with this inter-regional structure, we are discovering fresh talents across the country.”
Taiwo added that the competition, which began on July 13, will end on July 22, 2025, and also serves as a talent hunt ahead of the Federation of Civil Service Games, in which FAAN participates annually.
With growing enthusiasm among staff and more regions participating, FAAN’s sports initiative is poised to become a permanent fixture for promoting unity, wellness, and excellence across Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Stay tuned to News Access NG for continued coverage of FAAN events and public sector activities nationwide.
