Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the Nigeria University Games was a classic proof that every part of the country is valuable.
Osinbajo said this on Thursday when he received the games’ torch of unity at the Presidential Villa Abuja, ahead of the commencement of the 2022 tournament.
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande disclosed this in a statement late Thursday titled ‘Osinbajo receives 2022 NUGA games unity torch’.
The Vice President said, “The socio-economic value of the NUGA games is not lost on us. For years, the Nigerian University Games Association has not only provided a space that allows us see the value that every part of the country has to offer, it has also provided a platform for the discovery and honing of individual sporting talent, many of whom have gone on to represent Nigeria successfully on the world stage.
“We encourage the athletes who will be competing this year and representing their respective universities to do so proudly and in true sportsmanship. This is only a prelude to bigger achievements and greater laurels for yourselves and for Nigeria.”
The Vice President who recalled the achievements of some athletes discovered at the games said, “Going through Nigeria’s sporting history and almost everywhere we have excelled on the global stage, you will find athletes whose talents were nurtured in our universities and given a competitive boost by NUGA at one time or the other.
“The now legendary Nigerian goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, who we fondly remember for his role in leading the Super Eagles to victory in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, and who in his prime was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, was once a university athlete and a proud product of NUGA’s talent pipeline.
“Olusoji Fasoba, who won 100 meters gold, running for the Obafemi Awolowo University at NUGA many years ago, eventually went on to anchor Nigeria’s bronze medal win in the 4 x 100 metres relay race at the 2004 Olympic Games, and until recently, was the African record holder in the 100 metres.
“And, of course, there is Olabisi Afolabi, the famed NUGA alumnus from Ilorin, who helped Nigeria to a silver medal in the 4 x 400 metres at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, the highlight of a very successful athletic career, which included gold at the World Junior Championships in 1994, silver at the 1999 All-Africa Games, and bronze at the 1995 All-Africa Games.”
While commending the UNILAG management for the good job in preparing for a successful games, the Vice President reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government in sports and youth development, noting, “We are committed to ensuring that you receive all the support you need at every stage of your exceedingly promising careers.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Sports reiterated the commitment of the Ministry towards providing opportunities for young Nigerians to excel in their chosen disciplines, including sports, commending the support of the Vice President for youth and related issues.
“His Excellency, the Vice President, is not only young at heart, but has actively supported and participated in every youth initiative, ” Dare noted.
On his part, the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ogundipe, said more than 10,000 students are expected to participate in the games scheduled to start on March 16. He also announced plans to boost commerce around Lagos, the host city, during the games.
“Today we brought the torch of unity to the Vice President who is also an alumnus of the University of Lagos and we are expecting nothing less than 10,000 students during this competition which will start, March 16 to March 26, 2022,” Ogundipe said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the “torch of unity” and the NUGA shirt to the Vice President by the Games officials and the UNILAG VC.
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