Flags off Unity Torch tripPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reiterated his administration's commitment to sports development as a veritable tool for fostering unity among the youths and the diverse groups of the country.Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, during the formal flag-off of the movement of the Unity Torch for the Eko 2012 National Sports Festival (NSF), to be hosted by Lagos State, Jonathan said his government's interest in sports development was based on its potential to employ the teeming youths of the country.Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who received the torch from Rivers State Governor, Chubuikie Amaechi, represented by his Deputy, Tele Ekuru, the President expressed delight that the NSF, which is Nigeria's version of the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, has come of age.According to him, it serves as a unifying platform for all and a rallying point for the Nigerian youth through competitive sports. He also congratulated Rivers State for the successful hosting of the 17th edition of the Games, noting that the standards had been raised after the KADA 2009 event.In his remarks while receiving the torch after it had been lit, signaling the formal commencement of the activities in respect to the 18th NSF, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State was optimistic that Eko 2012 would meet the expectations of Nigerians, assuring that the state was poised to host a befitting festival.He commended the government and people of Rivers State for hosting the 17th edition, and promising that Lagos would live up to the billings to improve on the benchmark set by the Garden City Games.Present at the spectacular flag-off were the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, NSC Director-General/Chairman, Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the 18th NSF, Patrick Ekeji, Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadome, and Paralympians, among other dignitaries.The festival torch was handed over to Nigeria's Paralympian and world record holder in powerlifting, Folashade Oluwa Femiayo, on its journey to Lagos after a tour of the other 35 states of the federation and the FCT.
Click here to read full news..
