Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai also known as ‘Dodomayana’ has urged the Federal Government to invest more in sports to enhance youth talent discovery and empowerment in the country.
Rufai gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the President, Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) Abuja Chapter, Emmanuel Omoke.
The Super Eagles Goalkeeper said this while lauding ISACA for using sporting events to mark its community day.
He said that if government invested more in sports, it would stem rising mental health issues, separatists’ tendencies and terrorism in the country.
“Sporting activities have a way of disciplining the young people. They will see the importance of teamwork, tolerance, perseverance and respect.
“If they fail to observe these principles, they will lose the game. Next time, you see them trying to play by the rules. That is how sports remould our thinking and behaviours.
According to him, the society stands to gain more if the government pays more attention to sports.
“This initiative by ISACA is a great one. It is about sports development in the country. It is about wellbeing and wellness.
“It is also about reducing vices in the community. generally, I think this is a great project by ISACA”, Rufai said.
In his keynote address, Prof. Olawale Moronkola, the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, it was appalling that the media paid more attention to promoting reality shows that have no positive impact on the youths rather than encouraging sports.
“What ISACA has done today will go down in the history as part of the events that impacted the communities.
“I keep advocating that the energy we channel to some TV programs which do not actually impact positively on the youth should be redirected to sports and education.
“That is the way to promote unity in the country, foster wellness and reduce all forms of criminality”, Moronkola said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ISACA is a global professional association and learning organization with 170,000 members who work in digital trust fields such as information security, governance, assurance, risk, privacy and quality.
