The Nasarawa State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, on Tuesday, appeared before the State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Youth and Sports Development to defend the performance of its budget from January to April, 2024.
The Honourable Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Hon Jafaru Ango, led members of Management and other Staff of the Ministry as well as Chairman of Nasarawa United Football Club and Chairperson of Nasarawa Amazons Football Club to the State House of Assembly Complex, Lafia.
In his remarks, Jafaru appreciated Members of the House Standing Committee for showing interest in activities of the Ministry and for the opportunity to showcase activities of the Organisation.
He said that as head of the Ministry, he is proud of the progress the Organisation has made so far in various areas since the beginning of the year.
Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer, Chief Barr Isaac Danladi, gave detailed briefings of the progress report of the Ministry to the House, making references to records available of projects undertaken before the House and the performances of both Nasarawa United FC, Nasarawa Amazons FC in the 2023/24 Nigeria National League and Nigeria Women’s Premier League Season as well as other sporting and youth activities that have been financed within the months under review.
Chairman of the State House of Assembly Committee on Youth and Sports Development and Member representing Toto/Gadabuke Constituency, Hon Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, said the reason for the oversight function was in line with Section 128(2a-b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and pursuant to Section 62, Sub-Section 2c(i-ii) of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rules.
After the briefing, the House Standing Committee appreciated the efforts being made by the Ministry, particularly the level-playing ground provided to both Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons which earned them qualifications to participate in the National League Play-off in Enugu State and Women’s League Play-off in Bayelsa State.
The House congratulated both Clubs for the feats, and solicited more support to enable them emerge as eventual champions of the various leagues to enable the Solid Miners return to the elite domestic football league and Nasarawa Amazons win the coveted trophy and pick the only ticket for continental football, promising that some members of the Committee would endeavour to be physically present to cheer the teams to victory.
The House Committee, however, urged the Ministry not to concentrate only on football activities in the State but diversify its attention in some other sports to earn the State the status of ‘sports destination in Nigeria’, provide equal opportunity to all sports and their members as well as encourage medal haul at sporting meets in line with the mandate of creating the Organisation and in tandem with the administrative marquee of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
