FAAN deepens teamwork among staff with inter-directorate sports competition

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it is deepening teamwork among staff with its recently concluded inter-directorate sports competition.

Representing Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Henry Agbebire, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, commended all participants for their energy and unity.

According to him, the 2025 games demonstrated the strength and resilience of FAAN’s workforce.

“What began days ago as a contest of strength, skill, and endurance has blossomed into a remarkable display of unity, teamwork, and the indomitable FAAN spirit,” Kuku said. “This event is not just about winning medals, it is about strengthening the bond that ties us together as one FAAN family.”

She commended the Director of Human Resources and Administration alongside the General Manager of Welfare and Management Services for their leadership and commitment to staff welfare. Kuku noted that the sports competition reinforced camaraderie and boosted morale across FAAN’s directorates.

“Permit me to commend all volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this competition safe, fair, and enjoyable for everyone,” she added.

Directorate of Engineering Services (DES) emerged champions of the football final as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) concluded its 2025 Inter-Directorate Sports Competition in Lagos on Thursday.

DES defeated the Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) 2-1. Bashir opened scoring for DES in the 29th minute, followed closely by Ibrahim’s strike two minutes later. A brief lapse in DES defence allowed DFA to pull one back in the 42nd minute through Suleman Usman. However, the Directorate of Engineering Services maintained composure to secure the title.

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The Directorate of Engineering Services (DES) capped its victory with a ₦500,000 cash prize for emerging champions of the 2025 FAAN Inter-Directorate Sports Competition. The Directorate of Finance and Accounts (DFA) received ₦300,000 as runners-up, while the second runners-up, Directorate of Human Resources and Administration earned ₦200,000.

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Staff School Sports Complex buzzed with excitement as directors, top management, and staff gathered to witness the closing ceremony. The 4:00 p.m. kickoff celebrated weeks of friendly contests across football, swimming, table tennis, lawn tennis, and chess. Applause and cheers filled the air as DES was crowned overall football champion.

Beyond football, DES also distinguished itself in other sporting categories. In swimming, Caleb Nnamani of the Directorate of Human Resources and Administration (DHR&A) won the men’s breaststroke, while Oyedele Philips from the Directorate of Commercial and Business Development (DCBD) and Ikwulono Ochonye of DES placed second and third respectively. In the women’s breaststroke, Nwoke Goodness of DCBD clinched gold, followed by Amushie Ogechi of DHR&A and Philip Sabina of DFA.

DFA recorded success in table tennis as Timothy Ayinde claimed the men’s singles title, beating Babatunde Adedeji of the Directorate of Airports Operations (DAO) and Hassan Sadiq of DHR&A. In the women’s table tennis final, Jessica Oguechuba of DFA triumphed, while Mann Suliat Omotola of DHR&A and Akinwunmi Ifeoluwa of the Directorate of Aviation Security Services (DASS) finished second and third.

DAO shone in lawn tennis, with Abdu Gabriel and Yusuf Odudu securing first and second places, and Bello Kabir of DES taking third. The chess events were equally intense as directorates competed fiercely for supremacy. In chess rapid, Ojo of DASS took gold ahead of Idiakhoa Efe of DAO and Okondo Kehinde of the Directorate of Security Services (DSSD). Ojo repeated his dominance in chess blitz, winning another gold, while Ogunfuye Adewole of DSD and Okemusi Elizabeth of the Directorate of Administration and Services (DAS) settled for silver and bronze.

In his closing remarks, Agbebire, representing the Managing Director, encouraged staff to carry the same unity and sportsmanship into their daily work.

“As we celebrate today’s champions, let us remember that the true victory lies not just in the trophies, but in the friendships built and the spirit of togetherness rekindled,” Kuku emphasised.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.