Edo Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Friday advised members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) to make available their professionalism and wealth of experience.
Shaibu, who is also the LOC Chairman, while speaking at their inaugural meeting in Benin, said this would help to ensure a successful hosting.
He assured that the government and people of the state were ready to give the festival a befitting hosting.
“You are all aware that our late icon, Samuel Ogbemudia, hosted the first edition of the festival, which was used to foster unity among Nigerians.
“Today, history is about to be made again. We are all aware of all the issues happening in our country. Therefore, Edo is ready to host a festival that will help foster unity and help us all to imbibe the spirit of oneness.
“It’s going to be the first NSF to be hosted by a state after a long break before the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development reintroduced it in Abuja in 2018.
“So, there are a lot of things we need to put together to have a very memorable festival which will set new standards,’’ the deputy governor said.
He assured that Gov. Godwin Obaseki was ready to give Nigeria a befitting and historic hosting of the festival.
“At the end of the festival, we will all be united like when the festival started many years ago.
“So, I want to charge all of us to please put in our time and our intellect for this tournament. Remember it’s not about the festival alone, but about our great country.
“Edo is known for sports. This is where it all started, and we have never placed last, in terms of this tournament and history of sports,’’ Shaibu said.
He said a lot had been done to ensure Edo 2020, which is the festival’s 20th edition, was one of the best ever.
“You all know that our facilities are being upgraded, and new ones are being built. All this is to reintroduce what we are known for in terms of sports activities and youth engagement.
“We promise to engage our youths in different fields through the festival,” the LOC Chairman said.
