Uplift, promote sports, YSFON charges Nasarawa permanent secretary

The North Central zonal leadership of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), has paid a congratulatory visit to the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Isaac Danladi, in his office in Lafia.

Danladi, a sports administrator and former chairman of Nasarawa United, was recently appointed as a permanent secretary by Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Leader of the delegation and zonal vice president, Honourable Mustapha Alade, described Danladi’s appointment as a round peg in a round hole saying he (Danladi) would bring his experience and expertise to bear as a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s sports sector.

Alade who is a former Deputy Majority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly said, “We are here to felicitate, rejoice and congratulate one of our own and a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s football, Chief Barrister Isaac Danladi, on your appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Nasarawa State Civil Service and follow-up posting to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

“We are here to add to whatever plans you have for sports development in Nasarawa State. We also are hoping that the state will see the need to sponsor one of our zonal grassroots football tournaments in honour of the Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, to be competed among the six States within the zone, including the FCT Abuja.

“We therefore crave for the support of the Nasarawa State government towards this lofty plan of ours as one of the governor’s aims is to see that the state becomes a destination for sports in Nigeria.”

Danladi in his remarks thanked the delegation for the visit describing it as a homecoming while describing Honourable Alade as a mentor and elder brother. He stated that Governor Sule as a lover of youths places a high premium on sports so that the youth can be meaningfully engaged and constantly motivated.

“I want to most sincerely appreciate you (Hon Allah-dey) for leading this powerful August delegation in the month of August. Hon. Allah-dey is my mentor as far as football is concerned in this country, an elder brother and a friend. We have been in the trenches together dating back many years. This meeting is a homecoming for some of you and a good reunion for most of you I had not seen for a very long time.

“Though this meeting was scheduled before the appointment of a Commissioner for the Ministry, it would have been better if he was on the ground to receive this delegation. However, he is attending another important national function in Abuja which also has to do with football. I will inform him about your visit and show him the favour and recognition you have given me. This shows that people appreciate the little we are doing in the area of sports development.

“The Governor places a high premium on youth and sports, and this is one of the reasons he was recently nominated by Organizers of the Sports Legendary Awards as Sports Governor of The Year fixed for this month in Kaduna. We hope he will be favourite to pick the award among other nominated Governors.

“The North Central plays a very key role in YSFON and we want to assure you that, by the mandate of the Governor to us, we will discuss your request with the Governor and see how we can actualize this beautiful initiative together.”

Other members of the delegation among others included Hajiya Safiya Muhammad (YSFON National Treasurer), Mohammed Haruna Maigidansanma (YSFON Zonal Secretary), Suleiman Usman Bako (YSFON Chairman, Nasarawa State), Prince Ademola Kiyesola (Kwara YSFON Chairman), Nidan Maiyaki (YSFON VP), Nasarawa State.

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