Nigerian Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has assured Nigerians of the commitment of the Federal Government to return schools sports to its prime place as part of over-all efforts to promote grassroots sports development in the country; saying this is the right way to go if Nigeria is to realise its potential as a giant of sports in Africa and the world. The Minister gave the assurance while receiving representatives of the Organising Committee and A3 Foundation, the Promoters of the 19th Edition of Nigeria Polytechnic Games (NIPOGA). The delegation was led by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Nasarawa State – Hon. Bamaiyi Anangba who paid a courtesy call on him in his office yesterday.
Dalung who expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation for the forthcoming games to be hosted by the Nasarawa State Polytechnic from April 26 – May 6, 20I7, gave his endorsement for the games and called for the support of the organised private sector to make the sports fiesta a huge success because “NIPOGA has been part of games in Nigeria that has produced athletes for the nation”.
The Minister who was invested as the Patron of the Games, promised to consider the request of the LOC for him to grace the opening ceremony of the event.
Speaking earlier, the former First Lady of Kogi State and A3 Foundation – promoter of the 20I7 NIPOGA Games, Ambassador Dr. Aisha Audu-Emeje explained that a record of 8I Polytechnics from across the country, will be participating in the forthcoming NIPOGA Games to be hosted by the Nasarawa State Polytechnic; and that skill acquisition and entrepreneurial training are new innovations being introduced this year, to ensure that the I9th edition expands the frontiers of talent development and self employment generation for the youth.
She further said the game is being re-positioned in line with Federal Government resolve to make sports promotion an instrument of national peace and integration. She then solicited for the Ministry’s partnership in both cash and kind for the realisation of the objective.
Present at the meeting are the Acting Permanent of the Ministry, Abdulrasak Salawu, NIPOGA LOC Representative – Dr. Obarakpo Samuel and management staff of the Ministry.
Onyebuchi Nnorom
For: Director (Press)
