Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has commissioned a renovated Volleyball Court at Government Science School in Lafia, facilitated by a dedicated member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The NYSC member, Dio Gesiere Angel, currently serving at the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Lafia, with State Code, NS/24C/1931, said she was motivated by the fact that the school had no volleyball court.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Governor, represented by the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, extolled Angel’s vision and selflessness to community service.
“We are so pleased to be here with you to commission this laudable project emanating from your desire to etch your name in gold as far as the NYSC Community Development Service project is concerned,” he said.
“I am glad to inform you that your foundation is solid and sound because you have been able to acquaint yourself with the values and norms of the NYSC Scheme as well as identifying with your host community.”
“This is a clear testament that you came, you saw and you conquered through this signature project you have executed. Because of your passion and commitment, we didn’t hesitate to support you to achieve this project”.
“This project epitomises the spirit of service and selflessness we seek to instil in our youth. We commend you, Miss Angel, for choosing to invest your skills and energy in our future leaders.
“As a responsible Government with vested interest in sports and youth development, we embrace any act aimed at promoting sports development and harnessing the potential of sports to drive unity, health, State and National pride”.
“We thank the Management of the NYSC for supporting committed Corps Members like you, and I hereby, on behalf of my principal, Governor Abdullahi Sule, commission this renovated Court,” he added.
While urging other Corps Members serving in the State to tow the path undertaken by Miss Angel, the Commissioner called on the Management of the NYSC to recommend her for a National Award.
He stressed that the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development would formally recommend to the Governor Miss Dio Angel and other outstanding serving Corps Members in the State for special recognitions and honour.
Angel, in her remarks, expressed gratitude to the Governor, Management and Staff of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development headed by Honourable Kwanta Yakubu, Government Science School, fellow Corps Members and her NYSC Coordinator for their immense support which enabled her achieve the feat.
“I feel honoured to have everyone here to commission this renovated Court,” Angel said. “After leaving the NYSC Orientation Camp, I discovered this court was not in good condition and this was affecting the students’ turnout for the sport.”
“I belong to the NYSC Sports CDS, and we train here too. I grew up loving sports, particularly basketball, volleyball and tennis. I took the initiative of renovating the court to some people but it was not forthcoming.”
“So I approached the Honourable Commissioner of my PPA, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, who boosted my morale by urging me to carry on with the project and with the support of the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Adamu Alhassan, and Director of Sports, Uba Musa, we have this renovated court here today”.
“I thank you most sincerely for making this Community Development Service project a reality during my service year”, Angel noted.
She further charged her colleagues to try and do one or two project that would be impacted by their immediate community.
Also the State Coordinator of the NYSC, Salamatu Abdulrahman Muhammad, represented by the Scheme’s Assistant Director of Human Resources Management, Fatima Mohammed Usman, praised the foresight of Miss Dio Angel.
She described her as an outstanding Corps Member who has distinguished herself through the Community Development Service project, urging her to sustain the tempo, while calling on other serving Corps Members to emulate her.
The renovated Court, equipped with modern amenities and balls, was officially handed over to the authority of Government Science, Lafia, represented by the Principal, Buhari Yakubu, and Head Girl, Agnes Agabi, who both expressed appreciation to Miss Angel.
She thanked the Nasarawa State Government for making the institution a beneficiary of the gesture, stating that the facility would serve as a hub for volleyball training and competitions, nurturing young talent for podium appearances.