Otu authorizes commission to support sports in schools

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has directed the state’s Sports Commission to support the development of sports in public schools across the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Governor gave the directive on Thursday during the presentation of the 2024 fiscal budget estimates to the state House of Assembly. The governor, who promised to prioritise youths and sports development, said adequate provisions had been made for the 2024 budget for the state to begin to the revitalisation of sports development. He said this became necessary as sports  was capable of addressing the challenges of youths restiveness and also provide employment opportunities. According to him, “Youth development programmes aim at empowering the younger generation through participation in the socio-economic and political development of the state, are part of our agenda as a government. “A welltrained and educated youth is a development agent for the society. Government shall place importance on the training of the mind and body of the youth through sporting activities. “The development of talents in football, field and track events shall be given due attention in the 2024 appropriation.” The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the 2024 fiscal year, the state proposed a budget size of N250 billion. While capital expenditure will gulp N154 billion, recurrent will take N95 billion.