Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger on Tuesday in Minna received the Torch of Unity for the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF).
The governor who described the torch as “a symbol of unity that binds the people of the country together”, assured the bearers that his state would be part of the event in Benin.
He spoke at the Government House in Minna when the torch was presented to him after a road walk which started at the Mobil roundabout and ended at the Government House.
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development and the state’s Ministry of Sports Development presented the torch to the governor.
Bello, while speaking further, appealed to all Nigerians to work hard towards ensuring the sustenance of the unity of the country and enhancement of national development.
“The unity torch of the NSF is a symbol of national unity and development, and this is part of what makes Nigeria indivisible,” he said.
Represented by the state deputy governor, Ahmed Ketso, the governor also gave assurance that his government would do everything possible to ensure the state’s presence at the 2020 NSF was worthwhile.
“We have finalised arrangements to ensure that our athletes participate in the festival and also come out victorious,” he said.
Speaking also at the brief ceremony, the state Commissioner for Sports, Emmanuel Umar, said the road walk was organised to enlighten the public on the forthcoming NSF billed for March.
Umar expressed the readiness of the state’s athletes to participate in the 2020 NSF which is tagged “Edo 2020’’.
“I am not foreseeing any challenge, because the state government has approved all our demands for the competition,” he said.
Also, Saka Akin, the North Central Zonal Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, said the ministry was collaborating with the Edo government to ensure a hitch-free festival.
Speaking earlier, Mohammed Gana, the Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Sports Development, had said 104 athletes from the state would participate in 17 sports at the festival. (NAN)
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