The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has urged the State Government to focus more on youths and sporting activities in order to tackle youth restiveness, insecurity and other social vices in the society.
Alhaji Mohammed Isimbabi, the Chairman, House Committee on Youth and Sports, 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 prioritizuing youth and sporting activities would also promote peaceful co-existence in the state.
The committee chairman urged the ministry to do what it could to return Nasarawa United to the Nigeria Premier Football League next 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.
The committee however commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule for prioritising youth and sports development and called for its sustenance.
Isimbabi disclosed that the committee would soon visit all sporting facilities across the state to hand first hand knowledge of their condition.
Earlier, the Commissioner for the ministry, Alhaji Ja’afaru Ango, revealed that N48 million was earmarked to resuscitate the Sporting Academy in Akwanga in order to promote sporting activities in the state.
The commissioner appreciated the committee for supporting its activities to succeed.
He also thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule for prioritising youth and sports development in the state.
The country Missioner said most of the players of Nasarawa United FC are on loan, emphasising that efforts are on to purchase new players.
In a related development, the House Committee on Youth and Sports also visited Nasarawa State Youth Empowerment Scheme (NAYES) where the General Manager, Mr Abdullahi Main, appreciated the committee for supporting its activities to succeed.
The general manager said that personnel of the scheme have been receiving N10,000 as monthly stipend.
He, however, appealed for mobility to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
Responding, the Chairman of the committee assured the House of its commitment to support NAYES to succeed in order to continue to take the youths off the streets in the state.
He underscored the need for full implementation of the law establishing NAYES in order to have full structure of the board and management team of the scheme on ground for effective service delivery.
The chairman assured that the committee would sit and look at the monthly package of the scheme personnel and advise appropriately.
NAN
