The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lauded the Federal Government over the successful hosting of the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, which came to a close on Sunday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
NANS specifically commended the Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, for facilitating Abeokuta as the host city of the athletics championship, where junior athletes across Africa showcased their talents in the track events.
The student body stated this in a statement signed by its National Vice President on Inter-Campus and Gender Affairs, Felicia Akinbodunse in Abeokuta on Monday.
Akinbodunse observed that the junior athletic championship which attracted sports talents and officials from Africa, has further reinforced the position of Nigeria as a nation of hospitality, friendly people and a strong pillar of sports in the continent.
Akinbodunse, who disclosed that the leadership and members of NANS National and NANS Ogun Joint Campus Committee were on ground throughout the duration of the championship to offer support, expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the events, which she described as “highly successful and world class”.
She, therefore, noted since Olopade assumed office as the DG of NSC, he has revived the hitherto comatose sports sector in the country through actions and policies aimed at repositioning Nigeria as Africa’s number one in sports.
Akinbodunse added that the pivotal roles played by the DG contributed to the success recorded by Ogun State in the hosting of National Sports Festival tagged Gateway Games 2024.
She, however, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration in the state for upgrading the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium to a world class sport arena and providing topnotch facilities, which enabled the state to stage a successful hosting of the sports festival and the just concluded 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships.
The NANS National Vice President, who expressed delight at the spectacular outing of Nigerian junior athletes at the championship, noted that with the facilities at the M.K.O Abiola International Stadium, Ogun is ready to host more global sporting activities.
She added that NANS would continue to rally support for Governor Abiodun’s administration in its quest to transform Ogun and make it attractive to local and foreign investors.
