President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday evening charged private investors, as well as corporate organisations across the country to leverage on opportunities provided in sporting activities in Nigeria for national development.
Tinubu specifically called on captains of industries, as well as managements of academic institutions to consider investing in the careers of thousands of athletes in the country through scholarships as it is done in other countries of the world.
The president made the call in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital while declaring the 22nd edition of Nigeria’s National Sports Festival (NSF) closed.
Represented by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the president emphatically declared that sports has transformed from being “a past time to “an economic force; an instrument of unity and national integration”, hence, the need for members of the business class in the country to leverage on the opportunities inherent therein.
He said, “Sports as the driver of economic activities, job creation tourism among others: opportunities in sports is a call to action for governments, schools, private investors and corporate organisations to recognise Sports, not just as a leisure, but they should leverage on it for National developments.
“Let us ensure that every schools; from primary to the university integrate Sports I to their curriculum. Let us offer athletes scholarships because of their talents. Let us develop their talents as it is done in other climes of the world”.
“Let our corporate institutions invest in Sports and leagues, not just as charity, but as strategic partnerships towards the economic revampment of Nigeria”.
“To the sportsmen and women, don’t see Sports as just a game, but as a window to greatness; a path that must be thread with discipline, dedication and power to inspire generations”.
Addressing the athletes that have participated at the events tagged: “Gateway Games Ogun 2024”, Tinubu commended the “can do spirit” which they have displayed throughout the period of their participation at the event.
The president noted that the athletes have justified why the National Assembly (NASS) had to go back to the old national anthem, particularly the wordings which said “though tribes and tongues may differ, in Sports we stand united”.
“What I have seen here and have happened within the past two weeks in Ogun State are questions of carrying out the manifestos of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and simply renewing the hopes of Nigerians through Sports. Simply renewing the unity of Nigerians through sports simply renewing the friendship and oneness of the nation”.
Earlier in his closing remarks, the state go, Prince Dapo Abiodun expressed a heart felt appreciation to President Tinubu for the opportunities given to his state to host the event.
Abiodun, whose 65th birthday celebration coincided with the closing ceremony, charged the participating athletes to carry on the values of enduring unity which he said the games have taught both government, NSC management, as well as the participants while returning their respective states.
The governor also acknowledged the economic revitalisation tool which he said the games have brought to the Gateway State, stressing that his administration would sustain such.
Team Delta emerged the overall champions of the two-week long sporting fiesta, retaining the title for fifth consecutive time.
Team Delta hauled a massive 328 medals, comprising 122 gold, 96 silver and 105 bronze, comfortably topping the medals table.
Team Bayelsa settled for second position, after garnering 222 medals, consisting of 91 gold, 61 silver and 70 bronze, while hosts, Ogun complete the top three with 232 medals, made up of 90 gold, 64 silver and 78 bronze.
The 23rd National Sports Festival will take place in Enugu State
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