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By Stephen Adeleye.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on Wednesday pledged the state government’s readiness to give quality education and take care of the welfare of school children.
He made the pledge in Lokoja at the opening ceremony of the “1st GYB Inter-School Athletics Competition” among secondary schools in the three local government areas of the state.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Ayoade-Arike, the governor said students’ welfare had been a top priority of government.
He said “I have taken education as priority; I am assuring you of quality education, for you to excel.
“I want you to put in all your efforts so that you can become one of the greatest sports’ men and women in this nation and internationally.”
The governor commended the management of the State Science, Technical Education and Teaching Service Commission (STETSCOM) for organising the maiden edition of the athletics competition.
Earlier, Mrs Rosemary Osikoya, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, said the Inter-LGA School competition was the first of its kind in Kogi, adding that the governor was passionate about empowering youths.
She said “the state has 285 public secondary schools, of which 39 are science schools, four technical colleges, and 242 regular schools, but only three local governments are participating in this competition.
“In the next couple of months all the schools in the state would be having the state-wide GYB athletics competition. Our students must be physically active, because a healthy body will bring about a healthy mind,” Osikoya said.
The commissioner thanked the governor for the support the education sector had been enjoying under him, urging stakeholders and development partners to promote Inter-school sporting competition in Kogi.
On his part, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr Sani Salisu, said that the aim of the competition was to get the best youth athletes to represent the state at national and international competitions.
Salisu, who was represented by the Deputy Director of Sports, Mr David Ogazuma, promised that the best athletes would represent the state in the upcoming National Youth competition in Sept.
Mr Afolabi Raji, the Executive Chairman of STETSCOM, said that the maiden edition of GYB Inter-School Athletics Competition was within 3 LGAs: Lokoja, Ajaokuta and Kogi local government areas.
According to him, the competition is meant to identify and develop the talents of students academically, physically, mentally and intellectually right from the grassroots.
(NAN)
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