*As Kebbi Gov receives Torch of Unity
Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said that he is hopeful that the 21st National Sports Festival, scheduled for the 28th November to 10th December 2022, in Asaba Delta State, will strengthen the unity and formidability of Nigeria.
Bagudu expressed this optimism while receiving the Torch of Unity that signify commencement of the festival at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Thursday.
The Governor described sports as the comprehensive veritable vehicle that brings honour and fame to countries, urging youngmen and women to be determined to excel in sporting activities through competitiveness.
He recalled that professional footballers who visited Kebbi State in the persons of Daniel Amakachi, TijjaniBabangida and Ahmed Musa concurred that hard work and determination were the prime antecedents of success in sports as obtained in all other professions.
Governor Bagudu was also poured encomium on an indigene of Kebbi state, Zaidu Sanusi Jega, a professional footballer lacing boots for a premier league outfit, FC Porto of Portugal, who has brought honour to the state.
The Kebbi Governor made it clear that God Almgighty created human beings equal of talent to excel, emphasizing that there is no substitute to hard work in achieving success.
He added that sports transcended fun and game but has become colossal tool of economic prosperity.
The governor explained that in furtherance of the policy thrust of his administration of sports development, he has recently approved the release of N60million to Kebbi United Football Club and N140million to Kebbi Football Academy.
He said the Academy was being managed in collaboration with a firm from Portugal with three coaches identifying talents among participants.
He acknowledged the flagging off of the torch of unity by President Muhammadu Buhari to signify the return of normality in sporting events after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Bagudu also urged the Kebbi State contingent to the National Sports festival to strive to win more medals and laurels for Kebbi state.
Presenting the torch of unity to the Governor at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, the Sports Zonal Coordinator for the North-West, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Datti, informed him that the torch symbolized peace, unity and commencement of the festival.
He explained that it was the tradition of the sports ministry that the torch should go round all the 36 states of the federation including the federal capital territory preparatory to the actual beginning of the event.
Datti narrated that President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the torch of unity in Abuja on the 25th October, 2022 while the 21st National Sports Festival would hold from the 28th November to 10th December, 2022, in the ancient city of Asaba, the capital of Delta state.
The acting Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry of Youths and Sports, Alhaji Usman Umar Ladan led the state contingent to the festival and sports officials to the Government House, explaining the significance of the movement of the torch of unity to the Governor.
He said the torch was being received in Kebbi State on Thursday and on its journey nationwide. He also sought the blessings of the Governor.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna Rasheed, Sardaunan Gwandu, witnessed the presentation of the torch to the Governor.
… Appoints 2 district heads
Meanwhile, Governor Bagudu has appointed two new District Heads in Yauri Emirate
The new district heads are Muhammadu Bello Na’Allah, District Head of Makurdi in Ngaski Local Government and Alhaji Lawal Jibrin Yahaya, District Head of Kwanji in Shanga Local Government.
An official statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Umar Yeldu on Thursday, also disclosed that the appointment was sequel to the demise of their predecessors.
The Permanent Secretary conveys the congratulations and goodwill of Governor Bgaudu to the new district heads, mandating them to discharge their duties diligently and carry their people along as well as ensure peace, tranquility and harmony in their localities.
Alhaji Muhammad Bello Na’Allah attended Sabongari Primary School Yauri in 1979, Government Secondary School Koko in 1984, Polytechnic of Sokoto State, College of Administration in 1992 and Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in 2004 where he obtained Diploma in Public Administration.
Until his appointment, the District Head of Makurdi, Alhaji Muhammad Bello Na’Allah is the Principal Registrar, Sharia Court of Appeal.
While the new District Head of Kwanji obtained his BSc. in Computer from Usman Danfodiyo University Sokoto in 2008 and until his appointment, is a Principal Executive Officer Account in Shanga Local Government.
