The Director General of Nigeria Orientation Agency, NOA, Mike Omeri says the major challenge facing sportsmen and women including sports writers is attitudinal and argued them to “do the right things to keep sports alive”
Represented by Mr. Moses Aba , the NOA DG spoke at a seminar organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, FCT chapter, to mark the second year in office of the Kayode Adeniyi-led executive.
According to him, the “do the right things to keep sports alive” presupposes that the wrong things are being done in various aspects of sports and positive changes must take place for Nigeria to perform well at sporting mundials especially at the FIFA world cup in Brazil.
Omeri however acknowledged the positive role the sports writers have been playing in the development of sports in Nigeria
“Without the sports writers and without the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, in particular, it is doubtful if we would have progressed to the level we have reached in this country today.
“I commend the Kayode Adeniyi-led SWAN, FCT chapter for the noble role they have played in keeping sports alive in Nigeria.” Omeri said.
The FCT SWAN event continues on Wednesday with a football match against FCT Coaches Association while it will also holds a green carpet night on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, said plans are underway to sensitize the Super Eagles players on the need to be drug-free ahead of the 2014 world cup in Brazil.
The NAFDAC DG who made this known while speaking at the seminar. He said athletes who engage in the use of banned drugs get undue advantages over their competitors, saying the use of banned drugs by sports men and women should be discouraged.
The DG who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Abubakar Jimoh, also stressed that NAFDAC intends to use the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi, who is a role model to a lot of youths across the country in promoting its fight against drug counterfeiting.
“We know sports, especially football in Nigeria is a unifying factor, that is, when the Super Eagles are playing, Nigerians forget all their differences and come together as one.
“This is very unique, because no other sector can boast of this great tool, hence NAFDAC has concluded plans to delve into sports as a tool to sensitize the people about the dangers of drug counterfeiting.
“But in summary, people need to be aware that fake drugs respect nobody and it affects everyone in one way or the other, hence the need to fight this menace together.” Orhii stated.
The Super Eagles will play Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in the group H of the FIFA world cup Brazil 2014.
