Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo has restated the commitment of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to the development of the potentials of the country’s sports men and women.
Vice President Sambo stated this Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the Closing Ceremony of the 10th Biennial Nigeria Police Games.
Vice President Sambo who noted that in realization of this objective President Jonathan personally hosted a retreat on Sports in November 2012, said “the Federal Government will continue to give maximum support to our Sports men and women to ensure that they can achieve their ultimate goals and bring honour to our dear Nation.”
Arc Sambo, acknowledging the contributions of the Nigeria Police to the development of sports in the country maintained that it had made “the Force to be one of the veritable sources that has produced great athletes, that have brought honour and glory to our dear Nation.”
Similarly, to this end the Vice President recognized the dexterity of the Nigeria Police sports men and women, particularly the likes of CSP Chioma Ajunwa, late SP Sunday Bada, ASP David Izonrite and DSP Samuel Peters, and numerous others who had contributed immensely to the sporting success of Nigeria at international outings.
Vice President Sambo congratulated the Inspector-General of Police and his management team for the success of the games, and challenged all the participants to improve on their performances as according to him they may be called upon to represent the Country in major international sporting competitions for honours.
In his remarks the host of the games and the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, speaking through his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, said the games had ignited the spirit of unity and sportsmanship among all the participants including those from other sister security agencies. He stressed that the State government would continue to support the police to achieve its mandate of maintaining law and order and improving the physical fitness of its officers.
On his part the Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar said the aim of the games was to promote unity, comradeship and excellence among members of the Force and other sister organizations. He stated that the Police Force under his watch would continue to stress the importance of physical fitness to its members.
He used the occasion to express the gratitude of the Nigeria Police to President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo and the government of Rivers State for their support. He encouraged the sporting men and women to reach the zenith in their sporting engagements.
The Biennial games which was last held in year 2000 in Bauchi State featured several sporting events, the closing ceremony was graced by sportsmen from Ghana and Benin Republic.
Zone 2 with headquarters in Lagos won the overall trophy of the event with Force Headquarters Abuja and Zone 11 Osogbo bagging the second and third positions respectively.
The occasion was graced by former and serving top echelon of the Nigerian Police, including other service chiefs.