Izuchukwu OkosiThe role of sports as a tool for national unity and economic development has been reiterated by the Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, as his administration seeks to contribute to nation-building.
Otti made his position known when the delegation of Sports Nigeria, a private sector-driven initiative aimed at bringing government and the private sector together to harness talents and develop sports infrastructure in Nigeria paid him a visit at the Government House, Umuahia.
“We are very deliberate about using sports to unite our people who could support our economy and also to do a few other things that we have mentioned here,” said the Governor.
The State chief executive officer disclosed that already the Nsulu Games Village in Isialangwa North has been slated for entertainment and games village.
Dr. Otti added that, in terms of manufacturing, the State has an existing brand of quality production that would receive more attention.
The state’s number one citizen assured the delegation that the details of its presentation would be studied and the areas of interest identified for partnership and thanked the delegation for its interest in sports development in the State.
Earlier, while making a presentation to the Governor on a document titled, “Abia State Sports Infrastructure Investment – A Value Proposition,” the Chief Executive Officer of Sports Nigeria and Chairperson of Nigerian Football League, Mrs Nkechi Obi, said her organisation specialises on facilitating cross-sectional alliances to build sports.
Obi who was a seasoned sportscaster before she sojourned to the marketing side of the sector, sought the commitment of Abia State Government in providing necessary support for the development of the framework, strategy policy and implementation plans critical to sports infrastructural development.
According to her, everything that is needed for sports development is supposed to be done at the State level and stressed the need for Abia to leverage sports to boost development.
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