Top 10 Unforgettable Moments From NUGA’22
The NUGA’22 games was one of a kind. The inter-university sports fiesta provided an opportunity to showcase the best of amateur sports in Nigeria and this time amongst intellectuals. UNILAG had the honours of hosting this 26th edition of the competition and truly it was an epitome of excellence, surely they promised and delivered on their promises. In this article, we would be looking at unforgettable moments at the competition that will serve as landmarks of the event even outside of Sports.
1. UNIBEN’s Benz Entry
If there was any university at NUGA that came to show that they are nobody’s mate it was UNIBEN, the only university that came in a Mercedes Benz. But before you think too far, I’m not talking about the Mercedes Benz S-Class series or the G-wagon of this world but LD 1114, a 1970 model to the NUGA games in 2022, in order words they came with a MOLUE from Benin to Lagos. It was quite a scene and it should be in the history book, such a great entrance can’t and shouldn’t be forgotten.
2. UI and UNILAG (Korede Spag)
It all started when a Twitter user believed to be catching cruise with the events happening at the Nation’s Pride university decided to take to his Twitter account.
He alleged that UI students who came for the NUGA games were pricing Korede Spag in UNILAG. So for starters, Korede Spag is a popular spaghetti dish on the mainland in Lagos, owned by one Korede. It’s physically located in UNILAG and it has been saving the great Akokites from way back so it’s a “national” treasure in UNILAG.
The reports were false as there was no pictorial or video evidence to back up the claim, but owing to the calibre and status of UI, it gained traction on Twitter and UI was dragged in the mud. With no intentions of making any impression, UI Students’ Union president Mascot secured the audience of the CEO of Korede Spag, apparently, he is a UI Alumnus and a Zikite for that matter. He warmly accepted the delegates from UI and even offered them free food. Na Wetin UNILAG dey save up to buy, UI students dey chop for free. There was suddenly no counter-response from the Akokites till the competition ended; heard they are still shocked that their pride was still from a UI product. Don’t always abuse elders, he get why UI ain’t nobody’s mate….chee
3. UNILAG hostels
Still on arrival while contingents were trying to settle down into the new environment, there was a public outcry on the state of conditions of the hostels where contingents from participating universities were lodged. It was not the best of conditions and it spoke volumes of the infrastructural deficit in our academic sector. Apart from the deplorable state of the buildings, a major characteristic of the hostels was the bed bug infestation that many of the participating students had to contend with.
4. Opening Ceremony
If there is anything to applaud UNILAG for at the 26th edition of the NUGA games, it was the opening ceremony. The only word that accurately describes the event is “lit”. From the organising, the march past, the callisthenics presentation, lighting up of the NUGA torch of Unity by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila till the serenading performance of 9ice and Pheelz performing their hit songs for a teaming number of young individuals, it was a fantastic view to behold.
5. UI Supporters Club
If there is any supporters team that turned up at the NUGA games for their teams, it’s the University of Ibadan supporters club. The dynamics and vigour with which these individuals supported their team, especially in the football competition is a scene to behold.
Whenever UI plays, it was never a dull moment as the whole sports complex gets lit up with excitement, filled with chants and songs for the UI footballers. One of such iconic match days was the quarter-finals face-off between the host, UNILAG and UI. After UI had secured a win over OAU in the last group stage match in what looked like the mask kick of the match, the excitement was overboard and there was an increased number of supporters flooding the match venue for the quarter-finals face-off. The entrance of the UI supporters made the atmosphere so tense that it kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The UI supporters team showed up in traditional attires with other different costumes and props but the chief of it was the coffin that bore the name UNILAG, It was a tense environment. However, UI eventually lost the match and had to carry their remains back to the Brown City
6. Love at NUGA
What’s the world without love, and what’s life without happiness. Chances a high that this was the sentence that the ABU male handball team captain heard which triggered him to go on one knee to ask for the hand of an ABU female handball contingent in marriage. It was a romantic moment as the lady in question accepted the proposal. All this happened at halftime in between a contest between ABU and her opponent. Although ABU eventually lost the match, love won the day.
7. UNILAG & VIOLENCE
If there’s anything that needs to be flushed out of the mentality of Nigerians in sports, especially football is the fan’s encroachment and violence. In what looked like a perfect environment for unity amidst a well-organized event such as NUGA, one wouldn’t have imagined the eruption of violence. But the greatest fears were confirmed as on two occasions, UNILAG supporters were involved in these dastardly acts. First, it was after the quarter-finals face off against the University of Ibadan and then in the semi-finals against OAU. Although the quick intervention of security staff in both cases ensured the avoidance of a total breakdown of law and order.
8. UI don’t lose
So it’s was a frantic moment when Raphael Agboola came from a distance to win his 800m heat to secure a place in the finals. A delighted Raphael Agboola from the University of Ibadan, after coming from behind to win his 800m heat in 1:59.16. A confident Agboola after the race was heard saying: “I am from UI, we don’t lose.”
However, the efforts of the young athlete was not enough to earn him a place on the podium as he finished in 4th position at the finals. But we are from UI, we don’t lose.
9. Kayaking at NUGA
So new things begin in a day. That was the story of kayaking, a water sport that got featured for the first time at NUGA 2022. The freestyle event took place at the lagoon front, a waterfront serenading view of the proximal end of the water body of the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
10. Eko Entertainment village
So what’s sport without entertainment. The 2022 edition of NUGA games served a full dose of entertainment and everyone had enough to go around. At the ends of sporting activities daily, athletes and supporters checked into the Eko Entertainment village to enjoy the best of music, comedy, dance and everything that entertainment had to offer. Artists such as Asake, Kenny Blaq, Toby Shang, Lipase amongst many others graced this entertainment village while it opened and it was an experience worth it.
NUGA 2022 has come and gone, but the memories of the games must be preserved, you can share your memorable moments also in the comment section if it wasn’t mentioned in this post. We’d love to hear from you.
