Edidiong STEPHEN
The “Torch of Unity” of the 20th National Sports Festival, scheduled for Benin City, Edo State, later this month, has arrived Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
The Torch which was flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari on January 30 for onward movement across the 36 States of the Federation, arrived Uyo, Friday, and was received on behalf of the Government and good people of the State by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel at Wellington Bassey Way end, Uyo.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo MFR, the Governor eulogized Nigeria’s Federal Government for sustaining the initiative since its maiden edition in 1973 and thanked the Government of Edo State for offering to host this year’s edition of the multi-sport championship which he noted has helped in promoting the peaceful co-existence of the various facets of the country.
While announcing that the Governor has since approved the active participation of Team Akwa Ibom at the event, “Uncle Mo” as the Deputy Governor is fondly called also added “My charge today to the Akwa Ibom contingent to Edo 2020 is, go there as lions, conquer as lions and come back as lions”. “You have done it before, you will do it again; you will do it again and again and again”.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, who was represented by the south-south co-ordinator for Edo 2020, Mr. Sylvester Ubong, while handing over the Torch of Unity to the Governor described it as a “symbol of peace, friendship and unity” and used the occasion to declare the readiness of Edo State and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports to organize the biennial event.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for approving the participation of Team Akwa Ibom at the Games and assured that the State’s representatives, whom he described as having been carefully selected, would put smiles on the faces of the people of the State.
Under the supervision of the State Director of Sports, Coach Lawrence Iquaibom, and admirable cheers of the on-watching athletes and officials of Team Akwa Ibom, the Torch of Unity passed through the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mrs. Mary Ukoete, to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, to the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko and on to the Minister of Youth and Sports in representative capacity of the south-south co-ordinator for Edo 2020, Mr. Sylvester Ubong who in turn delivered it to Governor Udom Emmanuel who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR.
Over 11,000 athletes from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT will be vying for honours in 39 Sports from March 22 to April 1, when the 20th National Sports Festival kicks off in Edo State.
