Ambassador Lucky Isaac Yargwa, the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, has assured the authorities of Isah Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, IMAP, Lafia, that his Ministry would partner with the Institution to unravel hidden sporting potentials for podium appearances.
The Commissioner made the disclosure when he attended the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Rector’s Cup and Mini Sports Festival hosted by the Polytechnic on Wednesday.
In his remarks, the Commissioner who is an alumnus of the Institution, stated that it was homecoming for him to his Alma-Mater.
“I feel honoured to return to my first Tertiary Institution and meeting with my former lecturers.
“Thank you for inviting me to be part of the opening ceremony of this remarkable event.
“As a Ministry, we are pleased with this talent hunt development as it eases the burden on us.
“I want to assure you that we will take it upon ourselves to nurture any exceptional talent discovered from this tournament by providing him or her with the appropriate environment to thrive.
“The Governor Abdullahi Sule-led administration continues to prioritise local contents development for self-sustenance, and programmes like this one cannot be an exception as we will synergize with you to discover talents that can represent the State at regional and national Championships.
“I thank the leadership of the Polytechnic headed by a workaholic and result-oriented Rector, Dr. Justina Anjiode Kotso, and other critical stakeholders for coming up with this laudable initiative to keep the students physically fit, mentally alert and academically sound for better performance in their different fields of endeavours.”
Yargwa, thereafter, donated five pieces of customised football, crested with the portraits of Governor Abdullahi Sule, to the Institution, with a pledge to lend more support towards the development of sporting activities in the School.
According to the Chairman of the Sports Advisory Committee of the Polytechnic, Dr. Timothy Alu, the event was aimed at building and developing students’ talents in the areas of sports, recreation and intellectual capacity for optimum performance.
He added that the event would also enable the Institution discover hidden talents as it prepares for the forthcoming Nigeria Polytechnic Games Association, NIPOGA, billed for the Bamali Polytechnic, Zaria, Kaduna State, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Osun State, respectively.
In the opening games watched by a large crowd and personalities today, including former Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nasarawa State, Hon. Bamaiyi Anangba, School of Engineering Technology played out a 1-1 stalemate against Consultancy Service in the men’s football event, while School of General Studies and Pre-ND pipped School of Environmental Studies by 1-0 in the women’s football event.
More games will be played in the coming days at the play fields of the Polytechnic.
