Ikyange, Edeh Lead Benue Delegation to NSC

Olawale Ajimotokan  in Abuja

The Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja was beehive of activities at the weekend as a sports delegation from Benue State visited the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The delegation included the State’s Commissioner for Youth, Sports Development and Creativity, Mr Terkimbi Ikyange, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr John Akume, Chairman Benue State Football Association (BSFA), Chief Paul Edeh among others.

They made a rare and symbolic presentation of many agricultural produce that mirrored Benue State as the food basket during the courtesy visit on the NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko.

Ikyange, a former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, expressed the readiness of the state government to partner the NSC in advancing the cause of sports development in Nigeria.

He noted that the current administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia has taken the lead among other states in embarking on unprecedented overhaul of the state’s sporting system.

Ikyange urged the NSC to always consider Benue State as a priority when it comes to upliftment of the country’s sporting drive adding, “Benue State is blessed with abundant talents and other resources and is making impact in sports development and other human and economic viable areas.”

Responding Dikko assured the delegation that the doors of the Commission “is open for collaboration that will lead to the revival of the nation’s sporting lost glory in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mandate”.

The NSC Chairman commended the state’s delegation as being the first to visit him with remarkable presentation since he assumed office.

The newly appointed Director-General of NSC, Mr. Bukola Olopade, had in a remark said the return of the Commission was to lead Nigeria’s sporting revolution in a clear demonstration of the will to professionally make the desired impact.

Also BSFA Chairman, Edeh expressed optimism that the new NSC leadership led by Dikko and Olopade would steer Nigeria’s Sports on the path to glorious times.