The Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Tuesday in Abuja formally received the Torch of Unity, the symbol of the National Sports Festival, for the hosting of its 18th edition tagged “Eko 2012”, pledging that the State would host a championship befitting of the history of the Festival.
In his brief remark after receiving the Torch from the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the short but impressive ceremony on the open grounds of the Presidential Villa to mark the official flag-off of the movement of the Torch round the country, Mr Fashola was also certain that the hosting would serve to bring back the purpose for which the Games were inaugurated in the first place which, according to him, is to unify and bring Nigerians closer through sports.
Commending the Government and people of Rivers State, the hosts of the 17th edition, for a “wonderful show”, Mr Fashola declared, “We are challenged with the privilege of being the hosts immediately after them and I assure you that we will host a championship befitting of the very proud heritage and history of the National Sports Festival”.
“And, perhaps, more importantly I want to say that as I receive this Torch of Unity and as it begins its journey round the country, it will serve the purpose for which these games were inaugurated in the first place, to unify and bring closer our people”, the governor said.
Also in a brief interview with newsmen after the ceremony, Mr Fashola reiterated his pledge to host a championship that would meet all of the objectives of the National Sports Festival both in terms of unifying Nigerians through sports and in talent development.
Responding to a question on the preparedness of the State, he said: “We are prepared. Though it is still work in progress but we are prepared to meet the time line set by the Main Organizing Committee. All hands are on deck. We intend to host a championship that will meet all of the objectives of the National Sports Festival not only in terms of bringing Nigerians closer, unifying Nigerians, but also in terms of achieving talent development in sports and bringing harmony through sports”.
Earlier, while handing over the lit Torch to Mr Fashola, the vice president congratulated the Government and people of Lagos State for winning the bid to host the 18th edition of the Festival and prayed that the nation would be hosted to a very successful festival come November this year.
He commended the government and people of Rivers State for successfully hosting the 17th edition of the Festival noting that after Kaduna they have left a big shoe for the next hosts, Lagos State.