The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (FMHAPA), Saturday, joined other ministries to participate in sporting activities; in celebration of the 2024 Civil Service Week at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
The sporting activities were organised by the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, in collaboration with different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Addressing journalists at the event, the Sports Manager of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Mr Kazeem Adewale Adenekan, said the exercise will help civil servants in boosting productivity, team work and inter personal skills, even as he advocated for sponsorship of sporting activities.
He said: “The Civil Service Week is an annual event that brings civil servants all over the country together to show how important they are. They are essential to nation-building. They are important to the implementation of policies. They’re the bedrock of the nation and there’s no nation that can thrive without civil servants. That’s why their health is very important.
“We’re particularly celebrating Team Humanitarian because of our achievements since August 21, 2019, when the ministry was created to cater for the social welfare of Nigerians. You cannot rule out aerobics in the lives of civil servants. We participate in monthly aerobics as Team Humanitarian.
“Our Permanent Secretary, Mr Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, has been supportive of the welfare of civil servants. He has been doing his best to ensure that civil servants perform at optimal level and are productive in the work place.
“As you can see from the turnout of thousands of civil servants, they take their health seriously. Things don’t need to get to the point whereby doctors will advise you to be exercising, civil servants are taking the initiative. Whatever you’re doing, you have to exercise. If you exercise frequently, you will overcome certain ailments. If you sit for a long time, you can take a break and stretch yourself after 30 minutes.
“I urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invest more in sports. I also call on many international organizations to partner with Nigeria and invest in sports, especially UNIDO, UN, UNGA. They won’t regret it.”
Speaking earlier, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, advised civil servants to take their health seriously, saying the federal government is interested in the well-being of Nigerians, especially civil servants.
“I urge civil servants to take their health seriously. Health is important. When you neglect your health, you will suffer for it. The federal government has put things in place to ensure that all civil servants are well taken care of. We have a center you can go to for counselling. Even if you don’t have all your problems solved, at least, you will have someone to share your problems with. As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem half solved,” she said.
Blueprint reports that the Ministry of Sports defeated the Ministry of Education 2-0 in a 30-minute football match to win the trophy in football category.
Also, Mr Jephthah Onwuziruike, who represented the Ministry of Youth Development, came first in the 100 metres race that had many ministries participating.
The Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Aviation, Ministry of Interior, among other MDAs, participated in different sporting exercises organised to mark the week.
