Sports can foster peace, boost economy, transform any societ-Adamu
https://www.fearlessreports.com/2019/01/sports-can-foster-peace-boost-economy.html
…participant expelled for refusing to sing national anthem
| Unical VC, Prof. Zana Akpagu, representative of the Honourable Minister of Education performing the opening ceremony. |
The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu made this known while declaring the 19th Edition of Nigerian Colleges of Education Games, NICEGA open at Federal College of Education Obudu at the weekend.
Adamu who was represented by the Vice Chancellor of University of CalabarUNICAL, Prof. Zana Akpagu said that: “Sports participation from ancient time has always provided the right atmosphere through which people of all races colour and tribes gather together to foster friendship, peace and unity as well as boost their economy because of the massive economic activities it generates.
“Apart from improving the mental fitness of the people which in turn boosts the productive capacity of and enhances human resources to dish out optimal service delivery, the transformation that sport has brought to nations and individuals gives me good assurance that we can have a better society if our leaders at all levels can continue to contribute financially to sports programmes.
“It encourages healthy competition with fair play and builds gentlemanly conducts in all participation. Many individuals have become global personalities, through participation in sports and games under the right leadership,” he said.
He called for the encouragement of youth sighting George Weah,one time International Soccer star and currently the President of Liberia as a perfect example in that regard.
Adamu said : “ Our youth, the future leaders of this great country ,should be encouraged at all times ,in their sports endeavors through which the right leadership training can be imparted ,to guarantee a better future for all. Today, we have George Weah, one time International Soccer Star as President of Liberia.
“The present government will continue to encourage sports at all levels so that our dreams of having a peaceful, united society and a progressive society can be fulfilled. We are committed to supporting sporting activities in the country and for various motivational incentives to athletes that bring honors to the country,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Provost, Federal College of Education, Obudu, FCEO,Dr. James Ejue siad sport world over apart from inculcating the ideal values preaches love and friendship which in no small way keep us together as a people and a nation.
He called on the participants to look beyond mundane and primordial cleavages of tribal and ethnic sentiments and respond positively to overtures of friendship among themselves and avoid all vices including drug abuse.
He said: “ I fervently encourage you to positively respond to overtures of friendship among yourselves and overcome some of these mundane and primordial cleavages to ethnic and tribal sentiments, the greatest strength of this country lies in her diversity.
“I urge you to abide by the rules, if you are a disciplined sport man or woman, you must be a disciplined person who abhors violence, cheating, drug abuse and cultism in this competition, there must be winners and looser, “he stated.
The National President of NICEGA, Dr Sanusi Mohammed however expelled a participant, Esther Edet from the college of Education Akampka,Cross River for refusing to stand up during the National anthem to serve as deterrent to other participant who may be nursing the idea to go against the rules of the game.
“All participants must obey the rule and play by them, any athlete who goes contrary to the regulations of the games will be shown the way out. And that is why I am expelling this participant (EDET ESTHER) for her attitude and disposition when the National anthem was sung. This will serve as a deterrent to others to always obey the rules of the game” he stated.
