Former Super Eagles star, Mutiu Adepoju, has described the Research Institute Games Association of Nigeria (RIGAN) festival as an avenue for discovering talents in sports.
Adepoju, popularly known as headmaster, said this at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, during the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the RIGAN festival, which is being hosted by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN).
While identifying sports as an integral part of building a healthy lifestyle, he recalled how he participated in the 1984 RIGAN festival in Jos, which he described as the fulcrum of his football career, having represented CRIN, where he spent his childhood as a son of a staff.
According to Adepoju, “I’m happy to be here; and most especially, I started my football career in CRIN, where my dad worked. And I was once a player of CRIN. And I played this game, RIGAN for CRIN, in 1984 in Jos, when I was still in secondary school. So, I’m happy to be part of this.
“Aside from RIGAN being a way of discovering talents, sport is good for health, and every participant knows the benefit.”
The RIGAN President, Professor Oluwaferanmi Fortune Owolade, in his address, commended the leadership of the association as well as the Director-General/CEO, Dr Patrick Adebola.
He said: “I must commend the efforts the all the CRIN LOC members, the Chairman of CRIN Sports Committee, Mr. Tunde Onanuga as well as Pastor Wale Kuforiji (RIGAN will always remember you) and Mr. Obatolu Babalola for their endurance and irreplaceable support in ensuring the hosting of a befitting Games Festival. I also want to appreciate Captain Abiodun Sule (ED, NIOMR, Lagos) for his special support towards RIGAN activities.”
Adebola, while welcoming the participants to CRIN, expressed concern about this continuity of the festival due to the paucity of funds.
“it is a double celebration, CRIN 60th anniversary and hosting of RIGAN games. Today marks a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and the incredible spirit that drives us to push boundaries and excel in every field of play. This festival is not just about competition but also about building bridges, creating memories, and showcasing the talents that make each of us unique.
“I love the idea of RIGAN, it creates an interactive platform where research scientists and other officers across research and development organisations can exchange ideas in a relaxed and social atmosphere. This is healthy for research and ultimately our nation’s economy. My concern however is on continuity. I would like to use this opportunity to call on all concerned at various quarters to embrace and support the RIGAN vision,” he said.
The opening football match, which was held between CRIN and the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), had the former thrashing the latter with a lone goal.
RIGAN is a conglomeration of 35 Research and Development Institutes under the aegis of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Health, Education, Transport and Environment.
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