Nasarawa Assembly tasks government on sports development to curb restiveness

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has implored the State Government to focus more on sports development to address youth restiveness, insecurity, and other social vices in the society.

The Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, Alhaji Mohammed Isimbabi, made the call during an oversight visit to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to assess the ministry’s 2023 budget performance on Tuesday in Lafia.

Isimbabi, who represents Toto/Gadabuke constituency, said that prioritising youth and sporting activities would also promote peaceful co-existence in the state.

The committee chairman urged the ministry to take all necessary steps to ensure Nasarawa United’s readmission to the Nigeria Premier Football League for the upcoming season.

“Do all it will take to restore the lost glory of our solid miners,” he charged.

Isimbabi explained that the exercise was to assess the ministry’s 2023 budget performance and recommend ways to boost service delivery.

“We are here to perform one of the functions of the Assembly. The House appropriated funds and the essence of this exercise is to assess your ministry’s 2023 budget performance.

“We want to assure you of our partnership and support to enable you succeed in developing youth and sporting activities in the state,” he said.

He also advised the ministry to buckle up in their activities in order to take the stated to the greater heights.

Also Read: Nasarawa United FC Unveils New Technical Adviser.

The committee commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for prioritising youth and sports development and called for its sustenance.

Isimbabi said that the committee would soon tour all of the state’s sports facilities to get a firsthand look at their current state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for the ministry, Alhaji Ja’afaru Ango, revealed that N48 million was earmarked to resuscitate the Sporting Academy in Akwanga to promote sporting activities in the state.

Ango appreciated the committee for supporting its activities to succeed. He also thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule for prioritising youth and sports development in the state. He said most of the players of Nasarawa United FC are on loan, emphasising that efforts are on to purchase new players.