FRIN Ibadan emerges RIGAN Champion
By; Sani Aliyu, Zaria.
Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan emerged the champion of the 15th Research Institutes Games RIGAN in Zaria with 45 medals at the end of the week long competition.
The champion won 16 Gold, 16 Silver, and 14 Bronze medals and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan came second with 13 Gold, 15 Silver, and 7 Bronze totaling 35 medals and the third position was occupied by NRCRI Umudike with 19 medals, 12 Gold, 1 Silver and 6 Bronze medals.
The closing ceremony witness the final football match between two sister institutes from ABU Zaria where National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Service (NAERLS) won the giant trophy by defeating National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Shika 7-6 on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at a regulation time.
Ibrahim Umar of NAERLS is the highest goal scorer with 10 goals to defeat his rival Sadiq of NAPRI who scored 9 goals.
In his message Governor Nasir Ahmad El-rufa’I of Kaduna State represented by Alhaji Mohammed Usman, Commissioner of Works and Transport urged the participants to use the experience they acquired during the games in maintaining a peaceful coexistence in their respective institutes
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Also the National President of RIGAN Professor Rabi’u Adamu expressed satisfaction with the turnout of various institutes despite the financial challenges they are facing, yet made it to the championship.
Professor Rabi’u announced the name of National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom Plateau State as the host of the 16th edition comes 2017.
In his remarks the LOC Chairman and Director General Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, Dr. Aminu Musa Yusuf commended the NEC, LOC, Security, Staff of NITT, Sponsors and Media for their support during and after the competition.
Commenting on the performance of his athletes, the Director NAERLS Professor Isma’il Ilu said they lifted the image of the institute high in the sporting events among the Nigerian Research Institutes.
