Lokoja
As Kogi and other states of the federation grapple with the reality of kidnapping and other crimes, a sports expert, Adams Yahaya, has stressed the need for government to use sports as a potent force in fighting crime.
Yahaya, who spoke with a correspondent of Duaglobalnews in Lokoja on Saturday,expressed concern over the wave of kidnapping, cultism and other organised crimes and criminality, especially in kogi state.
The former Manager, Kogi United FC of Lokoja said various sporting activities such as football, athletes, swimming, chess among others could be utilised to engage youths, thereby desuading their minds from indulging in crime.
He said:”Sports has been known as a variable source of developing the youth and tailor their life toward better ventures that will not only make them positive contributors to the societal development but earn dollars to better their lot in life.
“This is because there is a lot of money in sports, parents can begin to involve our children in Sports; right from primary school to the higher institution.
“This is imperative, for them to take sports as a career and become responsible citizens who will win laurels for the country and not dragging its name to the mud.
“The energy they would have used in committing crime will be deplored in sports and the society will be better for it in terms of peace and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation.”
The expert, who made reference to Chioma Ajunwa, late Sunday Bada, Kanu Nwankwo and other great names in sports Nigeria has produced, said these patrots were not only successful in choseb career but known as peace makers.
He, however, called on government to make it lawful for companies operating in Nigeria to contribute at least, one per cent of their profits for the development of sports with full participation of youths.
“Government should also establish a special committee that will be charged with the responsibility of managing the money to ensure judicious utilisation.
“This is in addition to government synergising with various sports associations, with a view to scouting for hidding talents in sports for harnessing. When all is done with the best of intention, the country will witness less crime,”Adams stressed.
Adams also appealed to well to do Nigerians in private sector to plough back to the society by investing in sports for more youths to make career in sports.
He called on the three tiers of government to provide the environment that would enable sports development, through the establishment of more stadia and provision of other sports facilities to engage more youths in sports.
On kidnapping in kogi state, the expert urged the state government to establish Mobile Police (Mopol) Force on Lokoja Abaji road to check the menace.
