Int'l Sports Journalists honour Wike with "Power Of Sports" award
(Nigeria) The International Sporting Press on Wednesday in
Brussels, Belgium, honoured Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike with the "Power of Sports " award.
He was nominated by the International Sports Press
Association-Africa, AIPS, Africa.
Witnessed by Sports Personalities and Journalists from
across the globe, the award to Governor Wike was for his remarkable fidelity in
raising the bar of sports matters and using sports as a catalyst for development.
The Event took place at Le Plaza, Brussels and was performed
by the President, AIPS, Mr Gianni Merlo and President, AIPS Africa, Mr Mitchell
Obi. Sports Journalists from 108 countries witnessed the event.
Presenting the award to Governor Wike, President AIPS
Africa, Mitchell Obi said Governor Wike is
being recognised for the use of
sports as a tool to effectively engage the youth population in the continent.
He urged Governor Wike to sustain his commitment to sports
development as more youths will be empowered in the state.
In his acceptance speech, Wike dedicated the award to
God, his immediate family and the good people of Rivers State
who have supported his efforts at creating a New Rivers State.
Governor Wike noted that the award by the International
Sporting Press will spur into greater
commitment to the service of Rivers State and humanity.
Also on Wednesday, Governor Wike presented a lecture titled:
“Peace and Progress through Sports in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria"
wherein he canvassed that sport has functions beyond its simplest form as a
game to encompass a cost effective means for addressing a broad range of
socio-economic challenges that impact on peace and human progress.
He said: " Arguably, there is no social activity that
can match the role sport plays in breaking down barriers, bringing people
together across nations, promoting understanding, positively engaging the
energy of youths and in mobilizing support for social causes.
" Therefore, event at the simplest level, sport not
only improves the mental and physical health of participants; it also helps to
inculcate such timeless values as honesty, hard work, obedience, respect, team
work, discipline, and leadership in the youths.
"And as you know, these are all useful values for
creating peaceful and progressive societies as well as for achieving national
peace and basic development goals, including poverty reduction."
He said that States
in the Niger Delta region recognize the special power of sports for promoting
peace and development in the region.
The governor noted
that in addition to sports policies,
Niger Delta States all have ministries or departments exclusively
responsible for sports development.
He said: "As a result of these efforts at sports development, our country’s national
sports teams are always dominated by sports men and women from the region, who
are competing with the rest of the world and bringing laurels to Nigeria.
"Apart from
giving hope for a brighter future, unemployed youths are also getting
increasingly engaged and empowered through the various sport platforms the
region has provided.
"These engagements have successfully turned most of our
youths away from violence and other anti-social behaviour, and thereby
enhancing peace and progress at different levels of society."
Governor Wike said that in the last three years of his
administration, the Rivers State Government has invested in local and
international football development, national and international wrestling
competitions, Polo, golf and the development of critical sports facilities.
He said: "I wish to reiterate our resolve to continue
to tap the benefits of sport to advance social cohesion, peace and progress in
Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and as well as across Africa.
"May I therefore use this opportunity to call on
international donor organisations, sports charities, as well as the private
sector to support our efforts with facilities, training and sponsorship."
PDP National Chairman , Prince Uche Secondus said the honour
was deserved in view of the developmental strides of Governor Wike. He said that Governor Wike has made Nigeria
proud
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt
Hon Austin Opara said that the award is a recognition to Rivers State and a
challenge to the Rivers State Governor to continue to work for the people.
Senator Representing Rivers West Senatorial District,
Senator Osinakachukwu Ideozu said that the governor's sports programmes have
empowered youths, hence the need for the International recognition.
PDP National Chairman, Prince Secondus, Senator
Osinakachukwu Ideozu , Senator Lee Maeba, Senator George Thompson Sekibo,
Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Ambassador
Desmond Akawor, Attorney General of Rivers State, Mr Emmanuel Aguma (SAN),
Commissioner of Sports, Mr Boma Iyaye, Majority Whip of Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Evans
Bipi, Special Adviser on Politics and Strategy, Dr Gabriel Pidomson, Chief Glory Emeh, Executive Assistant,
Research and Documentation, Dr Jacob Beredugo witnessed the presentation.
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