President Reward For Excellence Key To Spots Improvement

Chairman House Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya,  said Nigeria’s improved performance in international competitions could have been stirred by the resolve of President Goodluck Jonathan to reward excellence.
Gaya made this assertion in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
“It’s a departure from the past where promises were made and were never redeemed but we thank God for President Jonathan who believes that the sacrifices of these athletes must not go in vain.
“I believe President Jonathan means well for those who have distinguished themselves to represent this country.
“Nigeria is such a wonderful country that if you do well, the country will not forget you and I think that is the most important message that has been lacking.
“Now we have seen that message put to effective implementation will do well for the country and nobody will forget you.’’
Gaya also attributed the successes of Nigeria to the committee’s commitment to sports development.
“The committee was challenged to perform its oversight functions considering the importance of sports to the wellbeing of the country.
“It is the seriousness the committee attached to sports development in the country that paved the way for the success the country recorded at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.
“Sport has become so critical to the wellbeing of Nigeria that anybody that wants to excel in this country should never overlook it.
“It’s an important unifying factor that any government must key into to bring a better understanding that this country desires.
He said that the committee had gone round the country to ensure that facilities were in place for potential athletes and sportsmen.
Gaya said that this would ensure that established facilities were not allowed to rot because if they did, it simply meant that athletes had no place to go.
“So, I am always very happy whenever they call me committee chairman on sports because I know that if Nigeria is doing well today in sports nobody talks about religion, origin or tribe,’’ Gaiya said.