NAN-HG-9
Festival
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, March 6, 2017 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) annual sports and cultural festival has been revived.
The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, said in Abuja on Monday that the Federal Government did not have an acceptable explanation for not holding the festival since 2014.
Dalung made this known in his address at the opening of the Grand Finale of the 2016/2017 edition of the festival at the Old Parade Ground, FCT, Abuja.
Cue in audio 1 (Dalung)
“May I apologise for being unable to organize this festival in the past three years; there is no explanation that will be acceptable for us as leaders not holding the festival.
“Except that maybe we were tempted by the advice of that man called the devil to abandon our responsibility for saving the future.
“I commend the management of the NYSC for resuscitating this important event.
“May I congratulate our dear corpers participating for winning at their various zones which qualifies you to participate in the finals.
“This year’s festival with the theme `Harnessing Youth Potential for Sustainable Development’, is in line with confidence the present administration has in the pivotal role of the youths in nation-building.’’
Cue out audio 1
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, however, attributed the stoppage of the annual festival to paucity of funds.
Cue in audio 2 (Kazaure)
“This event which started over 30 years ago with competitions only in drama, dance, football and volleyball has since in 2005 grown into a full-fledged festival with corps members showcasing their natural talents in many more areas of entertainment and sporting activities.
“The annual festival was not held in the last three years due to paucity of funds.
“I therefore, call on all corporate entities, government agencies and NGO’s to explore the possibility of taking up the sponsorship of the festival wholly or even in part.’’
Cue out audio 2
Kazaure said the annual festival was meant to be a vehicle for cultural integration while planting seeds of friendship among the youths.
He said the event was a culmination of the zonal competitions at various centers across the country which produced winners who had converged on Abuja to play the finale.
Earlier, Dalung said that the federal government has responded to all requests for funds by the NYSC to mobilise every qualified graduate for the national service.
He charged the corps members to make good use of the unique opportunity provided by the competitions in order to chart a new prosperous course for the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN reports that the zonal winners participating at the football finals include: Ekiti, Osun, Taraba, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ogun, Kano and Kaduna states respectively.
Zonal winners from Kwara, Lagos, FCT, Taraba, Eboyi, River, Sokoto and Kaduna states will participate in the finals of the volleyball competition.
Eight zonal winners will participate in the drama competition; eight winners will also participate in the finals of the dance competition while eight will participate in the finals of the comedy competition.
Other sporting activities include 100 metres and 200 metres relay race with several contingents competing for the grand price.
NAN reports that the festival which started on March 6, will end in March 10, with the presentation of trophies and prices to winners. (NAN)
KRY/ YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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