Osun Nysc Hosts South West, Edo States Sports And Cultural Festival

NYSC has once again been lauded for being able to take a giant stride towards national integration and unity as well as recognition of excellence in sportsmanship. 

This was contained in different addresses of speakers at the opening session of the NYSC zonal preliminaries held at Permanent Orientation Camp, Ẹdẹ, Osun State on Wednesday which participating states are Ogun, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and Edo. 

The event was presided over by the Chairman NYSC State Governing Board and Hon. Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Azeez Lawal Olayemi, who in his address at the flag off ceremony of the competition, called on all the Contingents to keep in mind the purpose of the initiative even as they compete against their counterparts from neighbouring States. 

He further stated that the NYSC Scheme since inception has come up with laudable programs geared towards the achievement of unity and integration in the country and therefore urged the participants to compete fairly and healthily. 

In his speech, Osun State Coordinator, Mr Ayodele Adegoke urged corps members to take good advantage of the sports and cultural festival to boost their skills and work toward attaining greatness.

The Director NYSC Southwest Area Office, Mrs Akin-Moses Olufunmilayo enjoined corps members to be friendly with one another via platform provided for them through the scheme.

The Vice Chancellor, Adeleke University Prof. Solomon Adebola who was represented by the University Librarian Prof. Uloma Unuoha, said that the scheme will further assist corps members to integrate, learn about cultural background of other tribes and sharpen their sporting skills through the competition.

Prof. A. P Yerima, the representative of the vice chancellor of the Redeemer's University stated that one of the aims and objectives of the NYSC scheme to bring about Unity is being actualized through the competition. He however, appealed to all the six participating States to embrace the games with sportsmanship spirit as there will always be winners and losers.

The opening ceremony witnessed presence of dignitaries from different walks of life which included, but not limited to the NYSC Governing Board Chairman and Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mr. Lawal Azeez Olayemi, the Commander Engineer Construction Ẹdẹ, Brigadier-General N. Yakubu ably represented by the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel I.O Erhabor, the acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Mrs. Taiwo Oladunjoye, , Vice chancellor, Adeleke University, Professor Solomon Adebola represented by Professor Uloma Onuoha the University Librarian, Vice chancellor, Redeemer's University, Professor Enito Akilo represented by Professor A.P Yerima, Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ede Doctor Ade Kolawole Taiwo ably represented by Doctor Omotosho O.S (jnr), the Dean of Students Affairs, Director Youth, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Mrs. Olagunju Caroline, Director, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Sola Akinsola (chief Judge of the competition). 

The line-up of event for the competition include: football for male corps members, volleyball for females, athletics 100 and 200 metres for male and female, comedy, dance and drama.