Edo State governor Godwin Obaseki has called on Nigerians, especially the youths, to keep the country as one indivisible entity.
He gave the admonition this weekend at the Tennis Court of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the state capital, while hosting members of Team Edo who took part in the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), hosted by the State, which came second in the competition.
Athletes who won gold medals were each rewarded with N250,000, with silver medalists each having N150,000, while the athletes who won bronze medals each went home with N100,000.
Edo governor said: “We did not have one incident of doping. Edo State’s youths were well behaved and they shunned drugs during the NSF, Edo 2020. We are grateful to all of you. We decided to put the event together to say thank you.
“The idea of NSF was born in Benin City after the civil war, with the leaders at that time concluding that to keep Nigeria one, there must be events through which youths across the country would gather at a particular place to compete, thereby ensuring unity.
“Nigeria is a great country. We must hand over a great country to you (the youths). Do not despair. Do not be troubled because of the crisis. You have friends all over the country. Your friends from the North, East, West and South, do they look like revolutionarists to you?
“Do not be disturbed with what is going on (insecurity) in the country. Have hope. Speak up and make sure you do your bits to keep Nigeria one. That is the spirit behind the NSF.”
Obaseki also expressed optimism that Team Edo would do much better at the next NSF, to be hosted by neighbouring Delta state.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Edo 2020, Philip Shaibu, who is Edo Deputy Governor, while speaking on behalf of members of the LOC, hailed Obaseki for giving them the opportunity to serve, stressing that they put in their best, which ensured the success of the NSF.
Shaibu also declared that Edo athletes at the NSF were not mercenaries, but Indigenes of the state, whom he said were determined to make the state proud.

By Bisi Olaniyi