By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON, Kaduna.
Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau is optimistic that the maiden edition of the Ministry of Interior Games (MIGA) would churn out talents that would represent Nigeria in international sporting competitions like the Olympic Games.
He expressed this while declaring open the Games at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Tuesday.
According to him, the Game is aimed at unifying and integrating the five services that make up the Interior Ministry.
“It is also aimed at strengthening officers and men to carry out mandate of safety while carrying out their duty,” he said.
“Let me affirm that greatness cannot be given but earned. Strive hard to attain the best at higher levels, so that you can attain greatness,” he charged the athletes.
He explained that the exploits of Nigeria Paralympics gratifying that President hosted the victorious Nigeria Paralympic team that made us proud in Brazil, there is reward for hard work.
Dambazau commended the Chief of Army Staff for sending Nigerian Army physical training personnel to participate in the Games.
In his remarks, Chairman of the main Organizing Committee, Mr. Ejembi P. Elaigwu said that the 2016 Ministry of Interior Games (MIGA 2016) is a historic event attracting caliber of guests’ athletes in its bid to promoting sports.
“Furthermor, MIGA 2016 promises to promote the ideals of great sports which among others are striving for excellence, demonstrating respect and celebrating friendship, and we are determined to use the games to inspire hope and re-ignite the bond of unity among the services.
“It is also part of our attempt at restructuring the Ministry in order to create a balance between bureaucracy and operations, so as to deepen camaraderie and promote the general wellbeing of our civilian staff and paramilitary personnel, with a view to foster and engender better mental physical and psychological operational alertness to identify and nip in the bud antisocial activities to guarantee safety and security of lives and property,” he said.
He explained that the purpose of the sports festival is to strengthen the integration process among the Five Services in the Ministry to enable them carry out the Ministry’s mandate of ensuring public safety and security.
He stressed that the games serve as a unifying factor between the Ministry and the Services as well as serve as an opportunity of identifying sports men and women who will eventually represent Nigeria in major international sports competitions in future.
Ejembi commended the Minister of Interior, Gen. (Rtd) Abdulrahaman Bello Danbazau for conceiving the idea of organizing the sports fiesta and the confidence reposed in the MOC.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung said it is good to invest in internal security with a vibrant Ministry of Interior; it is possible to maintain peace all over the country. He called on all the officers to remain dedicated in ensuring that Nigeria is secured for us and for the future generation. The Ministry of Interior has produced several champions for the country in international sporting events.
