CJN, Uba Sani Stress Staff Well-being As Kaduna Hosts 32nd Judiciary Games

The 32nd Annual Judiciary Sports Competition, organised by the National Sports Association for Judiciary (NASAJ), has opened in Kaduna, with Governor Uba Sani and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, highlighting the importance of physical and mental well-being to an effective justice system.

The competition, which brings together judicial officers and staff from across the country, is designed to promote physical fitness, unity, teamwork and professional relationships among members of the judiciary.

Speaking at Saturday’s opening ceremony, Sani said the welfare of judicial officers and staff was essential to sustaining an effective justice system.

The governor, who was represented by the Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir James Kanyip, said the effectiveness of the judiciary depended not only on laws, procedures and infrastructure but also on the competence, integrity and well-being of those responsible for administering justice.

He said the competition provided an opportunity for judicial officers and staff to improve their fitness, strengthen professional relationships and engage in recreation outside their official duties.

Sani added that sports aligned with the state government’s development agenda through the promotion of healthy living, talent development, youth empowerment and local enterprise.

He said the government was investing in sports infrastructure and talent development, including the planned development of Ahmadu Bello Stadium in partnership with the National Sports Commission, with a proposed capacity of 32,000 spectators.

In her remarks, Kekere-Ekun, represented by the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Muhammad Tukur Aliyu, said the competition offered judicial officers and staff an opportunity to interact beyond the courtroom, renew friendships and strengthen professional bonds.

The CJN noted that judicial officers, administrative personnel, technical staff and other support workers all played important roles in the administration of justice, stressing that their physical and mental well-being deserved attention.

She said sports helped improve fitness, relieve stress and promote teamwork, discipline, perseverance and respect for rules.

Kekere-Ekun commended NASAJ for sustaining the annual competition and thanked the Kaduna State Government for hosting the event.

Earlier, NASAJ President, Comrade Noah Sunday, expressed appreciation to the CJN, Governor Sani and the Chief Judge of Kaduna State for their support.

Sunday said the competition was designed to promote discipline, integrity, fairness, excellence, mutual respect and unity among members of the judiciary.

He urged participants to compete with determination, respect the rules and show consideration for their opponents, emphasising that the event went beyond winning medals to building camaraderie and strengthening relationships across the judiciary.

At the opening ceremony, the National Judicial Council (NJC) finished first in the march-past, followed by the Court of Appeal in second place and the Body of Benchers in third.
The competition marks another edition of NASAJ’s annual sporting event, which brings members of the judiciary together through sporting activities and provides an avenue for interaction outside their professional responsibilities.