Akwa Ibom State government is tackling the growing challenge of unemployment among youths and the urgent need for wealth creation in many ways. With a growing youthful population of pupils and students graduating from primary and secondary schools each year and many others from institutions of higher learning, confronting youth unemployment requires more than rocket science approach.
One of the ways the state government is confronting this hydra-headed issue is by investing in sports facilities across the state. It has built and plans to build and equip sporting centres in the 10 federal constituencies of the state. Already, two of such centres have been completed and put to use in Uyo and Onna Local Government Areas of the state.
It is this thinking that when the youths are exposed to the best sporting facilities at an early age, “we give the wings to soar and the sky can only be the limit.’’ In today’s world, where sports men and women earning a good living from sporting activities, the business of sports development as an avenue for wealth creation can no longer be taken lightly.
But sadly, Nigeria with a population of over 160 million people with a very vibrant youthful segment has not been able to tap into the growing business of sports in the global circuit. For instance, the country failed to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and cannot boast of internationally acclaimed athletes in many given fields.
One remembers with nostalgia the once popular national sports festival which used to serve as the breeding ground for the discovery of future athletes in the country, the All Africa games and many others that have taken back seat in the sporting calendar of the country.
Apart from the winning laurels for the country, there are also huge potentials in the business side of sports development. From the provision of a peaceful atmosphere for businesses to thrive to the various sporting facilities and equipment needed, sports development is in a big business should be fully developed.
It is against this backdrop that the first Akwa Ibom youth sports festival 2017 organised by the state government involving students and pupils from the 31 local government areas of the state should be seen.
The festival, which also seeks to latch on the “Arise” philosophy of the state government by urging youths to rise to the faith of their greatness beyond biases, gender and ethnicity, realising that one day “we shall be counted as great people of a great state with great minds,” is the first of its kind in the state.
Speaking to declare the weeklong festival open, Governor Udom Emmanuel who is spearheading the new momentum of sports development in the state said the business side of sports is a goldmine that has yet to be fully developed.
“So, beyond the story of this festival, our youths should be launched to the glory of the money-spinning venture of sports. We know that the secret of the Lionel Messis, the Christiano Ronaldos, the Serena Willaims, the Usain Bolts and other world stars, is hidden, first and foremost, in early exposure to world-class facilities particularly at an early age. So, this catch-them-young initiative is well situated,” Emmanuel said.
According to the governor, no matter one’s “background, this competition should be regarded as a common ground for all to spring and bring fame to your family, and pride to your State,” adding that by the time we finish “our golden blueprint in sports for Akwa Ibom State, I wonder which team that will be constituted in any sports in Nigeria that the first five to be invited to camp will not be Akwa Ibom children.
“Yes, that is not impossible. It is a fruit we will not just pluck or pick by mere wishful thinking, we are planting the seeds on fertile grounds today, we will water the tree tomorrow, and with God, we will reap the fruits in the future. Your attitude will either hasten the ripening process of that cherished fruit or render the harvest incomplete.”
Going further to give advice to the youth, the governor added that “Sport thrives on high level of discipline. Any athlete who is only well-behaved during competitions, and misbehaves in private life may not go far in the business. Maintain a high level of discipline at all times, and always reflect the true Akwa Ibom spirit of hard work, leadership, perseverance, dedication, excellence and winning. That way, you will flourish in your career especially at moments where sheer human will and desire overcome all odds. And always remember that we always make history; we do not run away from history.”
This remarkable initiative by the state government did not fail to attract the attention of the Federal Government as Solomon Dalung, the minister of sports, who was present at the opening of the youth sports festival pledged that the Federal Government would support the Akwa Ibom State in its renewed efforts to develop sports and discover talents saying that there is the need to bring back grassroots sports.
“We need to bring back grassroots sports development, we must adopt bottom-to-top approach in sports development,” he said.
Dalung used the opportunity to announce the readiness of the Federal Government to organise the national sports festival as part of efforts to encourage sports development in the country and to give youths the avenue to develop their talents.
Indeed youth unemployment is one of the major issues that should be addressed. The use of sports not only to discover talents but to be a platform for engaging the youths on productive ventures should be supported by public spirited individuals as well. With the faces of the young athletes taking part in the festival beaming and glittering with smiles, the sports festival is indeed an innovative attempt to use sports in addressing the growing menace of youth unemployment and if it is sustained, it would go a long way in providing a conducive atmosphere for the industrial development of Akwa Ibom State.
