The government of Rivers state has expressed confidence that its contingent to the 20th National Sports Festival tagged Edo 2020, coming up later this month will excel.

Commissioner for sports in the oil rich state Boma Iyaye during a press briefing today as the state continue to put finishing touches to their preparations for the multi sports event said the government is doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the Athletes will not lack basic motivation.

In his speech, He said “Rivers state has always participated in all editions of the National Sports Festival since the inception in 1973, we have hosted two editions in 1988 and 2011 respectively”

The commissioner added that “In recent past, we have been a major contender during the 2011, 2012 editions, it’s our commitment and desire to maintain the BAR in the Edo 2020 edition, in spite of the several postponements”.

Boma Iyaye stressed that the support of the state Governor, His Excellency Nyesom Wike has been tremendous, He said his interest in sport gives credence to his intention of unifying the state through youth empowerment and his will to tackle youth restiveness.

For the multi sports event, Rivers state is going to Edo with 434 athletes and 144 officials to compete for Honours in 29 sports.

Abula, Beach Volleyball, Athletics, Ayo, Badminton, Boxing, Chess, Cycling and Table Tennis are among the sports team Rivers is expected to take part in.

Comr. Israel Femi Alonge, the Chairman of NYCN, Kogi State chapter, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lokoja.

Alonge said that the level of the Nigerian youths’ turnout and active participation in the exercise across the country, would show to the world their level of serious and readiness to take charge.

He stressed that the Nigerian youths could no longer afford to remain silence but should speak out as displayed in the just ended EndSARS saga with the mantra “SoroSoke”.

”We must take a firm grip of this opportunity and get ourselves duly registered and revalidated to enable us become active members of the democratic, and be part of decision making and implementation processes.

”Youths can only become politically relevant by actively participating in politics through this exercise that will give them the platform to have a voice and be heard.

”The time for activation is no better time than now, especially as the Chairman APC Committee on Registration and Revalidation of Youth and Women is our youthful and useful Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State”, Alonge said.

The Kogi youth leader described Bello as the most youth and women friendly governor in Nigeria.

He emphasised that the APC both within the State and National levels, had shown great concern to women and youths by availing them the opportunities to be part of the governance and policy making and implementation.

He particularly commended Kogi Governor for ensuring that women were elected into all the 21 Local Government Areas as Executive Vice Chairmen and Council Leaders.

He added over 64 female Councillors were elected across the 21 LGAs, adding that former NYCN Coordinators were made automatic Secretaries and Supervisory Councilors of their various LGAs.

”Youth involvement and participation in governance and policy making goes beyond the usual ranting on social media.

”Now is the time to go down to the grassroots and become card carrying members of a political party”, he said.

He urged the Council’s Coordinators in the 21 LGAs of Kogi, to collaborate with other afiliated youth organisations for massive youth mobilization and participation in the ongoing party registration and revalidation exercise.

He advised the youths to maintain peace and orderliness and cooperate as usual with the security agencies to ensure absolute peace during the exercise. (NAN)
ASA/

The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter, has described the criminal invasion of BN Ceramics Company Ajaokuta by some youths under the guise of Pan African Development Network Network as unacceptable, called on security agencies to fish out those behind the invasion.

Comr. Isreal Alonge, State Chairman of the State NYCN, registered the displeasure in a World Press Conference, described the activities of Pan African Development Youth Network as alien to youths of Kogi State.

He described BN Ceramics Company Ajaokuta as a company that has impacted the host Communities in Kogi, lamented that some persons not resident in the state would invade with the military and policemen, in a Gestapo manner, invade a business concern for no just cause.

The State Chairman of the NYCN to said the Council is concerned about the invasion, said it is taking a position on the matter because of the hundred of Youths who are engaged in BN Ceramics, said the invasion calls for the intervention by NYCN Kogi State Chapter.

The State Chairman described the invasion as alien to Kogi State Youths, said the Forceful demand of N10million by the Pan African Development Youth Network, who later collected N2million, and demanded monthly 10% return to it by BN as unfortunate.

According to the Chairman, ” For the avoidance of doubt, the NYCN had through a survey sent out questionnaire, using the checklist methodology to gather information pertaining to Staff welfare of BN Ceramics Company”, called on Security agencies to uncover those behind Pan African Development Youth Network.