Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced cash rewards to the athletes and coaches who represented the state at the 8th National Youth Sports Games held in Asaba, Delta State, in line with the state government’s commitment to rewarding excellence, dedication, and hard work.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the cash reward on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Alausa, where he hosted the victorious 270 student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents to a reception, attended by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende; his Basic and Secondary Education counterpart, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun; the Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu; Executive Chairman, Lagos State Basic Education Board, Dr. Hakeem Shittu, among others.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, commended the courage, resilience, uprightness, and honesty displayed by Team Lagos during the recently concluded 8th National Youth Game 2024 held in Asaba and for securing second place and 66 medals, which included 26 golds, 20 silvers, and 20 bronzes, at the recently concluded 8th National Youth Game 2024 held at Asaba—Delta State.
The governor noted that their feats at the competition were entirely merit-based, and a testament to the athletes’ youthfulness, vigour, and adherence to ethical standards without any age falsification or malpractice.
According to him, Lagos shows examples, saying that her remarkable achievements at the past eight editions have positioned the state as leaders in Nigeria’s school sports development.
The governor, while urging the youth to shun social vices, and imbibe virtues such as integrity, honesty, and hard work, said everything in life is about integrity, honesty, and uprightness.
He, therefore, charged them never to get involved in anything shady, negative, or attempt to cut corners as, according to him, their attitude will determine their altitude.
Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration’s commitment to nurturing the potential of youth in the state remained unwavering, adding that together, the government, parents and guardians would build a brighter future where sports and education thrive side by side, and shaping the champions of tomorrow.
The governor commended the parents, guardians and sponsors of the athletes for their unwavering support, sacrifice and encouragement, which he said had been instrumental in shaping the young champions, adding that with their continued support, the state would reach even greater heights in sports and education.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Ogunlende, reiterated the state government’s commitment to supporting the youths, being the leaders of tomorrow.
This was just as he noted that the National Youth Games was a demonstration of the present administration’s commitment to supporting the youth excel.
“You are important to us and that is the reason why we all are here today, because we believe in you and we need to encourage you. As a government, we are ready to take you people to whichever level you want to attain,” the commissioner said.
Ogunlende, however, called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to provide a supportive platform for youths to excel and achieve their goals.
The Director General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, in his opening remarks, assured that the Commission was committed to continue to use the instrumentality of sports to break social barriers, “unleash the potential of the young people and create opportunities that are more sustainable among our young people.”
Fatodu noted that the commission had succeeded in changing the narrative and established Lagos State as the epicenter of sports excellence and development in Nigeria.
The Director General, while highlighting the benefits of sports, further noted that sport helped to unite people irrespective of the financial class, saying that “it brings people together and exposes kids to a place where there is no field, where there is sometimes no money, and when there is sometimes no light.”
“That’s the power of sports. Sport can help to breach bridges. Sports can help to unleash potential,” Fatodu said.
Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the parents of the contingent, Mr. Godwin Egbebe, appealed to the government to boost funding for the National Youth Games, underscoring the critical need for enhanced financial resources to improve the accessibility of sports infrastructure for young participants.
Egbebe, however, commended the government and State Sport Commission, noting that Lagos State Government was a pacesetter, even as he recalled that the children had a fun-filled time at such events which he described as “enablers that bring children together.”
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