A former vice-chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Gwagwalada branch, Barrister David Ebosetale Aigbefoh, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the culture of unity to foster sports development in the country.
He made the call while speaking in his capacity as the chairman of the occasion, at Junior Secondary School, Tungan-Maje, Gwagwalada, Abuja, during their 11th Inter-House Sports Competition on Friday.
Chief Aigbefoh, a philanthropist, appealed to well-meaning individuals to show love for the school and see that the school, staff and students had the necessary materials to excel in their studies, adding that “maintaining that sport is all about unity.”
In her welcome speech, the Director Principal of the school, Hajiya Hafsat Alaba Mohammed, said “while we celebrate our progress, we must also address some pressing concerns,” noting that the “lack of functional toilets has led to an unfortunate increase in open defecation within the school compound.”
The principal appealed to stakeholders and government agencies to support the school “in the provision of functional toilets for the hygiene and well-being of students; an ICT laboratory to enhance digital literacy; a well-equipped library to promote a strong reading culture; a basic technology workshop to provide hands-on skills; standard science laboratories to encourage practical learning, and pre-vocational and SAGE club facilities to empower students with entrepreneurial and life skills.”
She said sports “goes beyond just winning medals,” adding that “tThey teach us discipline, teamwork, resilience, and fair play – qualities that are essential for success in life.”
She advised students to participate with a spirit of sportsmanship, “remembering that the real victory lies not just in wining, but in leaning, improving, and supporting one another.”
Earlier, the chairman, Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA), JSS, Tungan-Maje , Mohammed Isah Hassan, advocated improved teacher’s welfare to bolster the quality of teaching and learning of the school.
At the end of the competition, pink-House, Blue-House, and white-House emerged first, second, and third, respectively.