The North Central Zonal leadership of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, on Tuesday, paid a congratulatory visit to the Permanent Secretary, Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, in his office in Lafia.
According to the Zonal Vice President, and former Deputy Majority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Alh. Hon. Mustapha Alade, “We are here to felicitate, rejoice and congratulate with one of our own and a major stakeholder in Nigeria’s football, Chief Barr. Isaac Danladi, on your appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Nasarawa State Civil Service and follow-up posting to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
“We are here to add to whatever plans you have for sports development in Nasarawa State.
“We also are hoping that the State will see the need to sponsor one of our Zonal Grassroots Football Tournaments in honour of the Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, to be competed among the six States within the Zone, including the F.C.T. Abuja.
“We therefore crave for the support of the Nasarawa State Government towards this lofty plan of ours as one of the Governor’s aims is to see that the State becomes a destination for sports in Nigeria.”
The delegation prayed for the success of the Permanent Secretary in his new office.
The Permanent Secretary, in his address, thanked the delegation for the visit.
He noted with nostalgia, fond memories he shared with the Zonal Vice President.
“I want to most sincerely appreciate you(Hon. Alade)for leading this powerful august delegation in the month of August.
“Hon. Alade is my mentor as far as football is concerned in this country, an elder brother and a friend. We have been in the trenches together dating back to many years.
“This meeting is homecoming for some of you and a good reunion for most of you I had not seen for a very long time.
“Though this meeting was scheduled before the appointment of a Commissioner for the Ministry, it would have been better if he was on ground to receive this delegation. However, he is attending another important national function in Abuja which also has to do with football.
“I will inform him about your visit and show him the favour and recognition you have done to me.
“This shows that people appreciate the little we are doing in the area of sports development.
The Governor places high premium on youth and sports, and this is one of the reasons he was recently nominated by Organizers of the Sports Legendary Awards as SPORTS GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR, 2023, which comes up on 23rd September, 2023, in Kaduna. We hope he will be favourite to pick the award among other nominated Governors.
“The North Central plays a very key role in YSFON, and we want to assure you that, by the mandate of the Governor to us, we will discuss your request with the Governor and see how we can actualize this beautiful initiative together.”
Danladi thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule for appointing him as Permanent Secretary and further posting him to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to deliver his quota to the advancement of youth and sports in the State.
YSFON focuses on grassroots sports development, involving male and female categories collectively.
Other members of the delegation included Hajiya Safiya Muhammad(National Treasurer, YSFON), Mohammed Haruna Maigidan Sama(YSFON Zonal Secretary), YSFON), Suleiman Usman Bako (Chairman, YSFON, Nasarawa State), Praise Ademola(Member, Kwara State FA Board), Nidan Maiyaki(Vice Chairman, YSFON, Nasarawa State), Tanko Adamu(Secretary, YSFON, Nasarawa State), Coach Yanmama Mohammed (YSFON Coach, Nasarawa State), and Ms Patricia Oshuwayine(Member).
Directors of Sports, Lawrence Shammah, and Youth Development, Haruna Viba, also joined the Permanent Secretary to receive the guests.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a congratulatory plaque to the Permanent Secretary by the delegation.
