Sports is a Tool to Deepen National Cohesion, Says Information Minister
Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated the desire of the administration to harness the transformative power of sports to deepen unity and cohesion in the country.
He made the remarks yesterday in Abuja when he received the management of Ministry of Sports Development, led by the Minister, Senator John Enoh, on a courtesy visit to his office.
He said sports have long served as a unifying force that transcends boundaries and brings people together irrespective of their religious, ethic or political inclinations.
“There is also something I think that we need to talk about and that is the issue of national integration and cohesion that all of us are aspiring to achieve.
“As you look forward to the ministry to partner with you to pursue sports development, we also look forward to the Ministry of Sports Development to forge further national unity and cohesion.
“If you are in doubt of what sports can do for our country, just try to be on the streets when Nigeria is playing. Everybody forgets about North-south, South-west, North-east and North-whatever. Everybody comes together and nobody talks about the person who has scored whether he’s from my village or he’s from another village. Everybody talks about Nigeria; everyone wears the Nigerian flag on that day,” Idris said.
He added that in a demonstration of his unprecedented support for sports development in the country, President Tinubu took a decisive action to offset about N12 billion in salary and allowances arrears owed to sportsmen and women as well as sports administrators as a form of motivation.
Idris believes that sports should be on the front burner of government’s priorities because of its significance role in nation building and development.
He commended the Minister of Sport for the enthusiasm he has displayed so far in the development of sports in the country particularly the dazzling performance of the Super Eagles at the 2023 AFCON, preparations for the 2024 Olympics and the qualification of the Super Falcons for Paris 2024.
In his remarks, Enoh sought to partner the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and its media organs to promote sports in the country.
He suggested the development of calendar for sporting events as a guide for the public media organs to amplify them through media visibility.
He lauded President Tinubu for creating a specific Ministry for sports, saying the vision was in line with the significance of sports in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
