Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is a friend of Edo despite missing the official opening of the 20th National Sports Festival in Benin, says Governor Godwin Obaseki.

According to him, Mr Osinbajo missed the occasion due to the storm at the city’s airport on Tuesday.

Mr Obaseki, in his address at Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the festival tagged, ‘Edo 2020,’ said, “But his plane had to be diverted due to the bad weather.”

An afternoon downpour delayed the ceremony, which later held amidst colourful cultural presentations by several artistes and troupes.

Mr Obaseki commended him for making efforts to be present at the event.

Mr Osinbajo was due to stand in for President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, which marked the April 2 to April 14 competition.

“We are grateful, for he has taken time out of his busy schedule to be here with us this evening even though he could not finally make it.

“He is a friend of Edo, and we appreciate this gesture,” said Mr Obaseki.

However, in the absence of Mr Osinbajo, Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, stood in to deliver Mr Buhari’s message.

He described the festival as an avenue to showcases Nigeria’s best talents in over 32 different sports events.

According to Mr Dare, the NSF is the biggest sports fiesta in the country, where both professionals and home-based athletes converge to display their prowess.

“Although the 20th National Sports Festival is supposed to have taken place one year ago, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it suffered several postponements.

“However, the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that youths were engaged productively through sports is notable,” stated the minister.

(NAN)