By Stephen Adeleye

The National School Sports Federation (NSSF) on Thursday presented gifts to three students in Kogi State for excelling both in academics and in school sports as part of activities to mark the 2021 National Children’s Day.

Presenting the gifts to the beneficiaries in Lokoja, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, congratulated the students and prayed God to continue to protect and make them great in life.

Idenyi, who was represented by Mrs Olabisi Osagbemi, the Director Tertiary and Continuing Education, urged the children to be committed to their studies while doing well also in sports.

The permanent secretary assured the students the commitment of the Governor to continue to support school sports.

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Earlier, the Deputy Director School Sports, Kogi Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Gwatana Silva, noted that the gesture was initiated by the NSSF President, Mrs Olabisi Joseph.

Silva, who doubles as the Kogi State Coordinator of NSSF, said the event was organised for all the States in the federation to honour students who have excelled in sports as well as in their academics.

”The President of NSSF is doing a fantastic job, and by bringing this initiative to honour our children in schools especially on a day like this when the children are celebrating their day.

”Three students have been selected from three schools in each State who have excelled in sports as well as their academics to be honoured with gifts such as bags and some stationery gifts.

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He enjoined the students to continue with perseverance so that they would excel in sports in the future.

”As a matter of fact, sport is the only thing you do without looking for god fatherism; with your ability in sports, you will go places in life and do well.

”I am advising all students to engage in sports, identify any sport you are talented in and from there you blossom”, he said.

Silva urged parents to give their children free hand and time to do sports, saying they should be encouraged and give them free hand to participate in school sports.

”Not all students will excel in academics by becoming doctors, engineers or lawyers. Some will be good in sports; allow and give them time, and we will surely have Olympic champions among our children”, he said.

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The students’ beneficiaries were: Aleru Ibrahim (footballer), a primary 5 pupil from St. Mary’s LGEA School; Isah Nafisat (footballer), JSS 2 student from UBE JSS Adankolo; and Sadiq Abdulfatai (Track and Field), SS 2 student from Bishop Delisle College, Lokoja.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the NSSF for remembering them, while thanking the State Government for creating enabling environment for school sports.

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  Academics, Kogi News, Kogi State, Kogi State Government, NSSF