The Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, has expressed profound gratitude to Governor Dr. Alex Otti for sponsoring the 2025 National Volleyball Federation Division 1 and 2 League Finals, held in Umuahia.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the competition, organized by the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) in collaboration with the Abia State Government, Ananaba described Governor Otti as a “hardworking and visionary leader” committed to youth empowerment and sports development.
> “His Excellency supports everything we do. He believes in the potential of our youth—whether through sports or skill acquisition. From the onset, he made it clear that Abia State would become a sporting destination in Nigeria, and we are well on our way to achieving that,” he said.
The commissioner thanked all participating teams and prayed for their safe return, emphasizing that beyond winning medals, “participation and exposure remain key to development.”
Ananaba also noted that Governor Otti’s support across all sectors has made Abia an attractive hub for national sporting events.
> “Because of the governor’s backing, other states are now eager to learn from Abia’s model. We’ve just hosted the National Division 1 and 2 Handball Championships, and now volleyball. It’s all about identifying talents, nurturing them, and helping them represent the state at national and international levels,” he added.
He further highlighted the economic and social benefits of hosting national tournaments, noting that the influx of athletes and officials boosted the local economy through hotel lodging, transportation, and hospitality services.
> “Our local economy is active—hotels, restaurants, taxis—everyone benefits. More importantly, our youth are learning and getting inspired by watching these games,” he said.
On the security situation in the state, the commissioner affirmed that Abia remains one of the safest states for sporting events.
> “We successfully hosted the International Paralympic Championships here with participants from Europe, Asia, and Africa—without a single security issue. This shows that our environment is safe, and our youths are being positively engaged,” he concluded.
Also speaking, the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Architect Adamu Tenimu, commended the Abia State Government for providing an enabling environment for the success of the league.
> “We thank Almighty God and the Executive Governor of Abia State for making this hosting possible. Volleyball is fast becoming one of the most important sports globally, and this event is vital for the growth of the game in Nigeria,” Tenimu said.
He reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to promoting volleyball nationwide and ensuring Nigeria’s strong presence in the international arena.
> “This is just the beginning. We are determined to sustain this project and make Nigeria proud internationally,” he added.
Tenimu described Abia as a “safe and beautiful environment” for sports and pledged the NVBF’s readiness to continue partnering with the state to host future events, including the prestigious Premier League.
Meanwhile, the Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, expressed gratitude to God for the successful hosting of the competition and praised the Governor and Commissioner for their dedication.
> “It was a very competitive and exciting tournament. Though our male team did not perform as expected, the female team showed great improvement. I believe volleyball will return to Abia next year, even stronger,” he said.
The 2025 NVBF Division 1 and 2 League featured male and female teams from across the country, marking another milestone in Abia’s emergence as a growing hub for national sports development.
So far, Division Two Men
1st… Light Volleyball Club, Abuja
2nd…. Bayelsa Volleyball Club
3rd…. Rhino Volleyball Club, Plateau State
*Div One Women*:
1st….VIP Volleyball Club,Abuja
2nd…. Fire Service Volleyball Club.
3rd… Excelsior Volleyball Club, Abia.
*Div one Men:*
1st… Defence Spiker Volleyball Club, Abuja.
2bd… Ajase Ipo Volleyball Club.
3rd….Lifecamp Volleyball Club.
