Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, has distributed thousands of pieces of sporting equipment worth millions of naira to beneficiaries across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to grassroots sports development, youth empowerment and talent discovery.
The items distributed include 3,500 sets of jerseys, 1,500 boats and 5,000 assorted balls, comprising footballs, volleyballs, handballs and basketballs, among other sporting equipment.
Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Governor Idris reiterated his administration’s determination to invest in sports as a strategic avenue for engaging young people, nurturing sporting talents, promoting healthy competition and creating opportunities for youths to excel at state, national and international levels.
The Governor described sports as a powerful instrument for youth development, social integration and community engagement, assuring that his administration would sustain the provision of essential equipment, facilities and institutional support to strengthen sporting activities across the state.
In a further demonstration of his commitment, Governor Idris announced an additional N50 million intervention for the procurement of more sporting equipment and facilities to enhance grassroots participation and improve the organisation of sporting events across Kebbi State.
“I have also approved an additional N50 million for the purchase of more sporting facilities to ensure that our youths have the necessary equipment and an enabling environment to participate effectively in sporting activities,” the Governor stated.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Nura Bala Fingilar, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Idris for his consistent support and purposeful investment in the development of sports in Kebbi State.
He observed that sporting activities in the state had witnessed remarkable improvement since the present administration assumed office, noting that Kebbi had recorded notable achievements and made encouraging progress in various national sporting competitions.
The Commissioner disclosed that more than 3,000 sports clubs across the state would benefit from the distribution, describing the intervention as a significant boost to grassroots sports development and the identification of emerging talents.
He further noted that the ministry had recorded several sporting successes, including the winning of gold, silver and bronze medals, attributing the achievements to the Governor’s encouragement, commitment and sustained support.
“We have won several trophies, including gold, silver and bronze medals, through the support and encouragement of His Excellency. We sincerely appreciate the Governor for always responding to our needs and giving sportsmen and women a sense of belonging,” he said.
Hon. Fingilar assured that the ministry would ensure the judicious distribution and effective utilisation of the equipment, while intensifying efforts to discover, train and nurture promising athletes capable of representing Kebbi State and Nigeria in major sporting competitions.
The intervention underscores Governor Idris’s broader commitment to youth development, demonstrating that his administration recognises sports not merely as recreation but as an important platform for building discipline, promoting unity, discovering talents and creating pathways to meaningful opportunities for young people.
