The Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, has explained that sports is one of the seven items his agency intends to exploit in charting a new national value charter for the country.
He noted that Nigeria is still yet to codify those attributes that defines what it means to be a Nigerian.
Onilu added that, “Sports is one of the low hanging fruits NOA intends to exploit to bring about uniting Nigerians and properly defining the true Nigerian attribute,” stated Isa-Onilu.
He made this disclosure to sports journalists under the aegis of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Kwara State chapter, led by its chairman, Mall. Ismail Ayodeji.
Accordingt to him, “In Nigeria we have not invested in what makes a true Nigeria. We must have a unique identity as Nigerians.
“We must create institutions to do that. Sports is the easiest institution to create to help achieve this. A situation where Nigerians are fans of clubs in English premiership is not the best for Nigeria.”
The DG NOA further explained that the agency is closely working with the Minister of Sports Sen John Enoh with a view to changing the culture to the one which not only enhances the Nigerian brand and true character, but also help in making sports a big business in Nigeria.
“We are working towards two big projects which will impact on sports business in Nigeria and West Africa.
“That is the good thing with working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I can assure you that this plan of ours, did not just start today.
“It has always been my passion which the President shares passionately with me and some very key stakeholders in sports and information industry,” Mall Onilu said.
The DG promised that going forward, SWAN would be incorporated in FG’s plan of exploiting sports to the benefit of the country.
Expressing gratitude, Mall Ayodeji, SWAN chairman promised that the body of sports writers in Kwara are all too ready to support NOA in the project ahead.
“We have every reasons to ensure that you succeed. You are not only one of us as a former journalist, but also, you are from Kwara” he said.
Along with the chairman at the meeting with the DG were other members of the SWAN Kwara State chapter executive committee.
These were Toyin Saheed of Sobi FM, Vice Chairman, Sodiq Adebara, Radio Nigeria Harmony FM, and assistant secretary general, Abdul Momoh, FIFA and CAF accredited photo journalist and Mustafa Abubakar of Unilorin FM.
The last two are ex-officios of the SWAN executive body.
