By Gabriel Dike
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Ewan, the Vice Chancellors of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka and the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola and Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, respectively, have admonished Nigerian and African youths to embrace peace and promote unity.
The trio gave the charge at the 11th Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), which attracted 11 African universities and 23 public and private universities in Nigeria.
The games attracted the Egyptian Minister of Sports, who also doubled as the President of FASU, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, president of West African Games, Ibrahim Tanko; President of Nigeria Games, Dr. Bawa Muhammmed; UNILAG Governing Council Chairman, Chief. Wole Olanipekun; Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Gbolahan Elias; Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye and two former UNILAG VCs, Prof. Olawatoyin Ogundipe and Prof. Raham Bello.
Ewan, who was represented by the Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs. Nkana Mbora, urged the youths not to define victory by the number of medals won at the FASU games but on collaboration to promote peace in their countries.
He charged them to see the FASU games as an avenue to celebrate sportsmanship and collaborate with each other to foster peace and unity.
The sports minister tasked the youths to see the FASU games as an international competition to collaborate and network with each other to boost cooperation among each country.
Prof. Ogunsola acknowledged the potential of African youths and urged them to compete with an open mind and use the competition to foster unity.
He acknowledged that it was the first time two universities were co-hosting the games and described it as symbolic to boost cooperation and enhance better understanding of our different affairs.
She used the opportunity to call on Africa youths to unite and also use the games to showcase their potentials.
The UNILAG VC charged the athletes to use the games to share ideas and network with each other on issues affecting the continent.
Ogunsola explained that 11 African countries and 23 Nigerian universities were competing in the FASU games with best facilities put in place for the competition.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello said the games would promote unity among the competing youths and enhance our diversity.
She reminded the athletes not to see the games as a do-or-die affairs but imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
He described the games as an opportunity to collaborate with heads of delegation and boost good working relationships with African universities.
Declaring open the games, FASU President, Dr. Sobhy urged the athletes to exhibit good sportsmanship and compete at a higher level.
She said the games since 1975 had come a long way and would continue to promote unity among African youths as well as boost sportsmanship.
The 11 African countries participating at the games are Angola, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Mauritius, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania and Guinea.
Some of the countries have more than one university in the games while Nigeria has 23 public and private universities participating.
