……. Promises systematic approach to dev sports in Customs
by Kuti Dare
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi has hailed the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri for investing hugely in the development of sports in Nigeria.
The Customs CG gave the commendation during his visit to Governor Diri at the just concluded 2nd Gov Diri National Wrestling Classics in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.
He said the Governor transformed the fortunes of Bayelsa state through his huge investment in the sporting sector.
Adewale explained that the Nigeria Wrestling Federation has achieved a lot and created records under the dynamic leadership of Governor Diri.
He said, “The leadership of Governor Douye Diri is inspirational and very motivating not only for the people of Bayelsa state but young sportsmen and women in Nigeria. Baylesa state athletes have demonstrated their prowess with wonderful performances that they have a Governor that supports sports in all ramification.
“The Nigeria Wrestling Federation is excited for all the Bayelsa State Government has done since he came on board. We have recorded remarkable results at International Championships where wrestling is involved and we could see that Sen. Diri’s support for sports goes beyond wrestling”.
“Bayelsa state has spectacular results in various sports like football, swimming, canoeing and others; this is for us to charge him to do more,” he added.
The former image maker promised to consolidate on the gains in the sports department of the NCS.
He said the service has recruited younger officers who stand a greater opportunity to participate at various National and International Championships.
Adewale said, “Nigeria Customs Service has been very active in sports development in the country. Over the years, we have produced champions in Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Volleyball and what we plan to do is consolidate. In consolidation, I will be rooting for a more systematic approach to the development of sports in the Nigeria Customs.
“The Nigeria Customs Service just concluded their recruitments and in our folds, we have some very young athletes. It will be my deliberate strategy to create the right environment to nurture and expose them to National as well as International Championships.”
He said, “We are currently the number one basketball club in Nigeria, the volleyball club has attended five consecutive Africa Club Championship finishing fourth position in 2020. Our athletes are ageing and it will be a deliberate strategy to nurture the younger athletes in order to fill the gap created when the older ones bow out.”
