SPORTS EQUIPMENT INTERVENTION SIGNING CEREMONY
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this edition of our quarterly newsletter. I am excited about this edition because it showcases a very monumental milestone in our journey so far!
Without question, the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF) is highly delighted to mark this significant historic event of the signing of Contract Agreement with Offshore Sports Manufacturing Equipment, the first of its kind since its inception in May 2005. This marks the formal kickoff of our 2014 Good Cause intervention Programme.
Accordingly, will like to express my profound appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. GCFR for granting us the approval to exercise our mandate under the National Lottery Act 2005. Mr. President’s approval authorizing us to utilize the funds from accrued lottery proceeds to exclusively fund the procurement of sports equipment for selected primary schools across the Nation is indeed laudable. This Intervention Programme seeks to promote grassroots sports development in the country. The objective is to enhance our capacity to grow and expand the nation’s talent base by securing the interest and involvement of our children of primary school age in sporting activities.
In addition, the programme is expected to improve our future performance in sports at all levels by harnessing the potentials of our young talents and nurturing their transition to world class athletes, sports men and women.
We intend to distribute sports equipment to about l000 primary schools nationwide, with at least 9 primary schools benefitting in each senatorial district across the 6 geo political zones reaffirming our vision to promote social inclusion among all Nigerians as defined by our mandate.
These objectives are in tandem with the Federal Governments Transformation Agenda in the area of sports development and in line with best practices of leading Nations in sports.
Let me take this opportunity to call upon our stakeholders to continue to work with us to further raise awareness of the value of lottery funding to modern life and its transformational legacy to the nation.
The implementation of the NLTFs 2014 Lottery Good Causes Intervention Programme has commenced with the arrival of the Partners, CAAN Sports Organisations Limited, Turkey and China Sports International Co. Ltd to the country .
The partner were overwhelmed with the warm reception accorded them on arrival. The Chief Executive of CAAN Sports Organisation Ltd, Turkey, Mr Nejat Sancak said he was happy to be in Nigeria again, and expressed his appreciation to be part of the historic event of the Lottery Good Causes Intervention Programme. He informed the staff of NLFT that it was his third time in Nigeria and has always enjoyed his visits to the country. He further stated that he is looking forward to the contract signing ceremony and believes that the relationship will be mutually beneficial to both parties.
His counterpart, the CEO of China Sports International Co. Ltd, Mr Lyu Guoguang who arrived a day later, expressed same optimism about the signing of contract agreement. He said he was overwhelmed with the warm reception they received and likewise informed the NLTF staff that it was their first visit to Nigeria and promised to be back.
At the headquarters of NLTF, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Engr. Habu A. Gumel and members of his management team welcomed them.
Engr. Gumel informed the visitors that he was looking forwarded to the signing of contract agreement which would set the tone for a mutually beneficial relationship among the parties.
According to him, the objective of the intervention program is to grow and expand the Nations talent base by securing the interest and involvement of children in primary schools in sporting activities