The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has said that participation in sporting activities is a very important ingredient for national integration and unity.
A statement from the Ministry’s Press and Public Relations unit said Onu said this when he received the president of the board of Organisation of Military Sports in Africa, (OSMA) Brig. Gen Mohammed Abdullahi Mikano in his office in Abuja on Tuesday,
The Minister said that sports activities especially by Military personnel in the Sahel region will create peace in the region and foster regional socio-economic development.
He said; “sporting activities will place emphasis on factors uniting these countries and downplay factors dividing us”.
Onu said that the Ministry is contributing to the development of sports in Nigeria, adding that the National Research Institute of Chemical Technology (NARICT), one of the Ministry’s agencies, is involved in the production of world-class footballs.
He reminded Nigerian youths to always bear in mind that they are the nation’s greatest asset and treasure, adding that youths must have immense faith in the country. He urged youths to contribute their quota to national development.
He noted that the Ministry will continue to support and conduct further research on sports development in the country.
Earlier, Brig. Gen Abdullahi said that his organisation has made the Minister its patron for the forthcoming Sahel Military games in October.
