By Usman Aliyu
The Edo government has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development through sports, describing it as a key tool for instilling discipline, resilience and teamwork among young Nigerians.
The Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Charity Amayaenvbo, gave the assurance during the 16th Annual Inter-House Sports Competition of Command Children School on Thursday in Benin.
Amayaenvbo, who was the special guest of honour at the event, commended the Nigerian Army and the school management for using sports as a platform to build character and leadership among pupils.
“Sports competitions like this are not just about winning medals or trophies; they are about discipline, teamwork, courage, resilience and leadership — values that the Nigerian Army represents and values every young person should learn,” he said.
He noted that the performances displayed by the pupils during the competition reflected the importance of teamwork and dedication.
“Today, as we see them compete, it is not just about winning trophies or medals; it is about discipline, resilience and hard work.
“These are the attributes of the Nigerian Army and the values we want our children to imbibe,” he said.
The commissioner added that the state government would continue to partner with institutions and organisations that promote youth development through sports and other constructive activities.
“The state government is proud to partner with you in youth mobilisation through sports as we continue to mould our children and imbue them with the spirit of discipline and hard work,” he said.
The Commander of the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, described the inter-house sports competition as a long-standing tradition in command schools aimed at promoting fitness, teamwork and healthy competition among pupils.
Balogun said the event aligned with the Chief of Army Staff’s command philosophy, which places strong emphasis on training and capacity development.
“Training and retraining remain the only panacea for fitness and relevance in any endeavour, especially in the lives of our young children,” he said.
He commended the pupils for their dedication and sportsmanship, noting that the competition had showcased determination, discipline and teamwork among the participating houses.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured various track and field activities, including 200 metres, 100 metres and 50 metres races for senior, junior and nursery pupils, respectively.
Other events included sack races and relay races.
At the end of the competition, Green House emerged the overall winner, while Purple House came second and Blue House placed third.
Chief Godday Erewa, proprietor of Valley Stream British School, splashed cash prizes of N250,000, N150,000 and N100,000 on the first, second and third positions, respectively.
Amayaenvbo also presented additional prizes of N50,000 to the first position, N40,000 to the second, N30,000 to the third, and N20,000 as consolation prizes to Yellow and Red Houses. (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Victor Adeoti
