Nasarawa State governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has formally received the National Sports Festival Torch of Unity, as it continues a nationwide tour ahead of the 19th edition of the games from December 6 in Abuja.
The torch was presented at Lafia Township Stadium in the state capital by a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports led by the permanent secretary, Olusade Adeshade.
Al-Makura, who was represented by his permanent secretary in the sports ministry, Alhaji Ibrahim Okposhi, said he was thrilled that Nasarawa State is first to receive the torch after its flagged off.
Al-Makura said once he was told that the Torch of Unity’s tour will begin in Nasarawa State, he immediately directed that proper preparation should be put in place to receive it without any hitch.
He also promised that Nasarawa State would play a key role in success of the festival by participating and supporting organizers through all means possible to foster peace and unity among youths in Nigeria.
Al-Makura also expressed hope that the event would further promote and endear the festival to residents of the state.
The governor said: “We are assuring you that you are starting with us, you will finish well.
“We will work hard to promote this event not only by participating but by other means.
“The federal ministry of sports has thought it wise to begin with us and we appreciate the gesture.
“This torch is special. It symbolizes peace and unity. The festival was conceived after the Nigerian civil war to foster unity among the restless youths.
“The national sports festival is a very vital tool because apart from encouraging peace, the festival is an avenue for discovering new talents that can make the nation proud in international events.
“We assure you that the elimination games, the zonal elimination, we will be there as early as possible.
“After that, we will camp our athletes properly to prepare them for the main event in Abuja.”
On his part, the spokesman of Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Eche Amos told sports247.ng that the state is proud to be the first to host the Unity Torch.
