Minister, Others Applaud Kwara Governor’s Sports Dev’t Initiatives At Fitness Event

The Kwara State Stadium Complex in Ilorin was abuzz with excitement yesterday as prominent government officials and political figures converged for a fitness exercise, meticulously organised by the AA Youth Wing.

Among the esteemed dignitaries showcasing their aerobic prowess were Alh. Saadu Salahu, Senior Adviser/Counsellor to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Dr Mohammed Ghali Alaya, former Non-Executive Director of NNPCL; Hon. AbdulLateef Alakawa, Chairman of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority; Alh. AbdulRazaq Jiddah and Alh. Bashiru Adigun, Special Advisers for Special Duties and Media respectively; Alh. Ibrahim Danmaigoro, Senior Special Assistant on Religion (Islam); and Engr. AbdulRahman Giwa.

The event also featured an engaging football match for older participants, where Team Salahudeen emerged victorious. In the youth football competition, the Ayegbami Team clinched the championship title.

Individually, Saadu Salahu was recognised as the best aerobic dancer, while AbdulRazaq Jiddah secured the highest scorer’s award. Both gentlemen dedicated their accolades to the sports-loving Governor AbdulRazaq, acknowledging his commitment to the sector.

Declaring the event officially open, Hon. Usman Ndanusa, Commissioner for Youths, extended his gratitude to the organisers for putting together such a commendable programme. “This is a truly rare occasion. Today, Kwara’s youth can speak with confidence globally, thanks to Governor AbdulRazaq’s creation of an enabling environment for them. Through numerous youth empowerment schemes, the Governor has demonstrated that young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, but indeed, the leaders of today,” he stated.

In his address, Hon. Funsho Abdullahi, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth Development, remarked: “We will continue to commend the Governor for consistently expanding opportunities for our youth.” He encouraged young people to diversify their skills, highlighting the abundance of opportunities available in Kwara State and Nigeria. “We must not only exercise our physical strengths but also train our minds to serve better and generate further opportunities for others,” he added.

Alh. Saadu Salahu, Senior Adviser/Counsellor, also praised the organisers, noting: “This event is a clear consolidation of Governor AbdulRazaq’s unwavering efforts in promoting sports and youth empowerment. Our Governor is a foremost advocate for sports, having invested significantly in its development. Kwara athletes have brought home several international laurels over the past six years.”

Emphasising the importance of regular physical activity, Salahu explained: “Fitness exercises significantly reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance sleep quality. We will all leave here feeling fitter. This should not be an annual spectacle but a daily routine, ensuring we maintain our physical well-being before commencing our daily work.”

Princess Adebukola Babalola, Deputy Chief of Staff at Government House, Ilorin, urged the organisers to host the programme quarterly to further improve public health.

Earlier, the event’s convener, Amb. Akanbi Iliyas Shola, articulated that the fitness exercise was organised to complement the Governor’s dedication to ensuring the well-being of the state’s populace.