UNIJOS TOP STUDENTS ATHLETES TO ENJOY FULL SCHOLARSHIP AS INSTITUTION ALSO MOVES TO FLOAT AMATEUR FOOTBALL CLUB

Students of the University of Jos who win Gold medals during the forthcoming 27th edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) festival will be granted full Scholarship for the entire duration of their studies in the University.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya made the pledge when he inaugurated a 27-Member Local Organizing Committee (LOC) saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and ensuring a hitch-free hosting of the games slated to hold in the University in 2024.

At the ceremony which took place at the Faculty of Social Sciences Auditorium, Naraguta Campus, the Vice-Chancellor charged members of the committee to take the responsibilities assigned to them with all the seriousness it deserves as the assignment calls for sacrifice, commitment, sharing of ideas, knowledge and skill in order to achieve success.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence in the committee members, saying with the caliber of persons chosen for this important assignment was based on their experience in the area of sports administration and reiterated that the University will host the best ever NUGA Games in 2024.

Professor Ishaya assured the LOC members of the University Administration’s full support in all aspects that will lead to the successful hosting of the competition and encouraged students of the University to come out in their numbers to participate in the various games during the competition.

Responding on behalf of the LOC members, the First Alternate Chairman and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Joash Amupitan SAN confirmed that members of the committee have accepted the task before them which they consider as a unique opportunity to serve, pledging that the committee will deliver on its mandate.

Professor Amupitan acknowledged that although the task ahead is quite challenging, members of the committee have no excuse than to deliver on their mandate through determination, commitment and sacrifice which should be their watchword.

He appreciated the University Administration for considering them worthy to serve in this capacity and advised members of the committee to cooperate and be open minded to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Speaking on behalf of the Plateau State Government, a member of the committee and State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Bashir Datti, said the State Government accords high premium to sports development which is why the Government fully supported University of Jos when it bid for the hosting rights of the 2024 NUGA Games Festival. According to him, hosting the Games will be one of the greatest achievements not just by the University but the State at large since it will be the first time University Students from all over Nigeria will converge in the State in such large numbers.

Hon. Datti who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Mustapha Usman explained that the forthcoming NUGA Games in UNIJOS will improve the economic base of the Plateau State by contributing to the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) being an event that will bring a variety people to the State who would patronize the wide range of businesses and services available during the period especially within the city of Jos.

Also speaking, Chairman, University of Jos Sports Committee, Professor Ishaya Pam, expressed delight that the forthcoming NUGA Festival will present Plateau State in good light especially in the area of sports development since hosting the event will require the construction of state-of-the-art sports facilities in UNIJOS which will in the long run serve as a veritable sports destination in Nigeria.

Professor Pam disclosed that the Sports Committee in conjunction with the University Administration has put plans in motion towards establishing a Sports Institute in the University which, according to him, would be a specialized center for training and grooming of sportsmen and women for the nation. Professor Pam also revealed that the University Administration has directed the UNIJOS Sports Committee to commence processes for the establishment of an Amateur Football Club which will henceforth participate in the National Amateur Football League.

Goodwill messages were received from Dr Ahmed Abu Bawa on behalf of External members of the LOC, Pastor Nuhu Sani on behalf of UNIJOS Alumni, Professor Jennifer Audu-Peters on behalf of Volunteers