Former Inspector-General of Police and chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Sir Mike Okiro, has endorsed the annual National Youth Cup 2017, the organisers of the unity tournament has revealed.
The National Steering Committee of the Nigeria Unity Football Tournament said the former Police boss announced his support for the competition when it paid a courtesy visit on him in order to brief him on the arrangements for the forthcoming Nigeria Unity Cup for the youths in Nigeria.
A statement by the National Coordinator of the project, Amb. Moses Ebahor, noted that Okiro thanked the tournament organisers for the visit even as he appreciated the award of the National Patron bestowed on him.
According to the statement, Okiro said as retired IGP, he initiated the first Police Marathon Race in Nigeria and has sponsored various sporting events in the country as well.
Okiro, who added that the essence of sports cannot be over-emphasized even as he encouraged people to exercise regularly for good health, also promised to support the Nigerian Unity Cup to achieve its goals for the peace, stability and integration of the youths in nation-building.
For his part, Amb. Ebahor explained the details of the tournament to Okiro, adding that the maiden edition was successfully organized in Bauchi State in 2015.
He noted that the Nigerian Unity Cup is geared towards fostering the spirit of peace and unity among the youths in Nigeria, which he said, will serve as a bridge of friendship and harmony.
“Football is globally acknowledged as a strategic tool to unite people from different tribes, religion, and political divide.”
“The development of youths and sports are essential ingredients for social integration, economic growth and sustainable development. The unity of Nigeria needs the involvement of all Nigerians in order to build a virile and prosperous nation,” Ebahor said.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of the National Patron Award to Sir Okiro by the committee.
Discussion about this post