Nigeria, May 17 -- The sun dipped gently over the horizon on Saturday evening, casting a golden hue across the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Kuto.

Inside, workers are rushing to apply finishing touches, floodlights flicker to life in final tests, and volunteers like the NYSC Band Ogun state rehearse tunes, beats, and flag sequences to the beat of talking drums. The air is thick with anticipation.

On Sunday, Ogun State will officially welcome Nigeria to the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, Gateway Games 2024, and the entire state is alive with colour, energy, and purpose.

Over the past 48 hours, a steady stream of athletes, coaches, officials, and media personnel have poured into the "Gateway State" from all corners o...