By Nkechi Eze
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), has been conferred with the prestigious and globally recognised award of “Ambassador of Fair Play” by the All Federal Capital Territory Sports Association, reaffirming his longstanding commitment to the promotion of sporting activities as a tool for national unity and development.
The honour was presented during a courtesy visit by the Association to the Ministry of Defence, where the Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwa, received the award on behalf of the Minister alongside principal staff of the Ministry.
In an official signed statement issued by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Enderline Chukwu, the Minister assured of his continued support for sports development across the country, describing sports as a vital instrument for fostering peace, unity and social cohesion.
Speaking while receiving the award on behalf of the Minister, Mr Pheelangwa testified to General Musa’s passion for sports and his firm belief in its enormous benefits to national peace and unity. He noted that the Minister not only appreciates sports but actively participates in various sporting activities, both indoor and outdoor, including golf.
“Gen. Musa is a sports lover and a firm believer in the enormous benefits of sports to national peace and unity. He enjoys and participates in various sporting activities both indoors and outdoors, including golf. He will be glad to have the award and will always support sports activities,” the Permanent Secretary stated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the All Federal Capital Territory Sports Association, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, explained that the visit was aimed at forging collaboration with the Ministry of Defence to explore sustainable ways of repositioning sports, starting from the Federal Capital Territory, to achieve meaningful national impact comparable to what obtains in developed economies.
According to Dogara, the Association is determined to promote sports as a strategic avenue for driving economic independence, empowering youths and curbing restiveness. He stressed that structured investment in sports would help reduce criminality to the barest minimum and create a pathway for enduring peace in the country.
Representatives of various sporting disciplines, including golf, softball/baseball, gymnastics and basketball, also expressed their desire for the revival of sporting facilities within military barracks. They observed that barracks remain organised environments well-suited for talent discovery and development, noting that many promising athletes have historically emerged from such settings.
They appealed for renewed attention to these facilities to enable structured talent hunts and sustained grassroots sports development.
Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Maduka, and other senior staff of the Ministry of Defence.
