Governor, State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has called on Nigerians to remain united and always give room for the spirit of brotherhood and peaceful co-existence for the country to move forward.
Ogbeni Aregbesola gave the charge on Friday at the Government House, Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun while receiving the Torch of Unity heralding the 19th National Sports Festival which begins next month in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The governor, who maintained that the Torch of Unity symbolised one Nigeria urged every citizen to shun any act capable of dividing the country or that can break the rope of Unity among the citizenry.
Speaking on the Sports Festival, Governor Aregbesola who would not be in office when the event would take place as his 8-year administration climaxes on the 27th November, 2018 said due to his passion for sports which had yielded positive results as many Osun athletes were now representing Nigeria at the International stages, said he had gracefully approved the fund required for Osun contingents to participate in the events.
Ogbeni Aregbesola assured that “the incoming administration of the Governor-elect, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola would collect the baton from him and win the race of development in sports and other sectors, which had been solidly laid during his tenure”.
Speaking on the readiness of Osun contingents to excel at the event, Commissioner for Sports, Social Protection and Special Needs in the state, Comrade Biyi Odunlade assured that Osun would display excellent performance at the festival and would emerge among the top, best states.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung who was represented by the South West Zonal Co-ordinator of the Games Mr. Oluwafemi Ajao revealed that the Torch, which had been taken to 33 States of the Federation signified that “the National Sports Festival had come to stay, since it was last staged in 2012 in Lagos.
He added that the Torch of Unity would next move to Ekiti State where Governor Kayode Fayemi is expected to receive it.
It would be recalled that the Torch was lit by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, October 1st, 2018 at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja which symbolises the commencement of the 2018 National Sports Festival to be hosted by FCT from December 6th to 16th, 2018.
During the event, about fifteen thousand athletes and coaches are expected to compete in 37 different games.
