Sports
NYSC fosters unity, national integration among Nigerian youths with festival
By Abel Abogonye, Lafia
Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Nasarawa state Mr Abdullahi Jikamshi, has indicated that the goal of the scheme’s Director General’s Sports and Cultural Festival is to at foster unity, national integration among Nigerian youths.
He spoke during the inauguration of the NYSC Director General 2022 Sports and Cultural Festival North Central Zonal Preliminaries held at the Magaji Dan Yamusa NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Keffi local government area of the state on Sunday.
The Zonal Preliminaries involve Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Kaduna states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja are the states competing for tickets to represent the zone at the NYSC DG Sports and Culture national festival.
Corps members of the various states and Abuja are competing for spots to participate at the national level of the festival in dance and drama competitions and sporting activities such as football and volleyball.
In his welcome address, Jikamshi said the goal of the festival held annually is geared towards fostering unity, national integration and encouraging youths to appreciate the different cultures of different ethnic groups in the country.
“You are going to dance dances that are not of your culture. You will also compete in sporting activities with corps members of different tribes but NYSC is trying to tell us that we are here to appreciate our different cultures and to foster unity among our youths.
“The essence is not in winning and carrying the trophy. The essence is far deeper than that. Let us understand it and benefit from that,” he said.
He explained that those who qualify at the Zonal preliminaries will qualify to go and compete at the national event expected to hold later in 2022 in Abuja and win prizes.
“The festival at the national level also serves as an avenue for staff because at the national level, there are scouts who come to scout for sportsmen and sign them. So the festival goes a long way to fostering unity and offers life changing opportunities to participating corps members,” he said.
In her speech, Mrs Gladys Adama, NYSC Deputy Director, Community Development Service (CDS) also reemphasize the message that the festival is aimed at promoting Nigeria as a united country and that a unified Nigeria is possible.
“Apart from that the fact it helps us as a way of exercise, It is also to ensure that our youths understand that together we stand strong,” he said.
In an interview, Mr Nathan Oghenesurwe, a corps member from Niger state lauded the initiative as a very good one that will help youths, especially corps members to foster unity among them and also help them to understand and appreciate the culture of the indigents of the state’s they are serving.
“Now I am from Delta state but I have learnt a lot from Niger state, their culture, how they dance and how they live their daily lives. I have learnt a lot already and the introduction of this festival will further engender unity amongst us,” he said.
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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