By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Nasarawa State, Hon. Kwannta Yakubu, has disclosed that Governor Abdullahi Sule is committed to making a formal bid for the state to host the National Sports Festival before the end of his administration.
Yakubu made this known during a ministerial briefing held on Tuesday at the Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service (NBS) premises in Lafia. The event, coordinated by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, provided a platform for ministries to present their achievements under the current administration.
“Governor Sule is open to the idea, and we are already working behind the scenes to make it happen,” the commissioner stated. “Hosting the National Sports Festival would not only project Nasarawa State onto the national stage but also bring immense economic and developmental benefits.”
He highlighted the administration’s achievements in revamping youth and sports infrastructure across the state, noting that youth centres in all three senatorial zones are undergoing renovation, with the Akwanga Youth Centre already completed and operational.
Hon. Yakubu added that the government has upgraded and repositioned the Football Academy in Akwanga, transforming it into both a talent incubator and a revenue-generating facility for the state.
“In another landmark achievement, all players of Nasarawa United Football Club are now fully owned by the state,” he revealed. “This means that the state stands to gain financially from any future transfers or sales.”
He noted that efforts are underway to strengthen the feeder teams for both Nasarawa United and the Nasarawa Amazons, with the goal of establishing a sustainable sports development system.
In addressing recent challenges, Yakubu said the administration took decisive steps to stabilize Nasarawa United, which had recently faced relegation threats. “We brought in a national-level coach and introduced key structural reforms to reposition the club,” he said.
On the coaching front, the commissioner explained that the ministry is gradually retiring ageing coaches and empowering younger professionals. “This will improve efficiency and foster fresh energy in our sporting engagements,” he added.
Reflecting on the state’s performance at the last National Sports Festival, he reported that Nasarawa participated in 18 events and secured 18 medals—an outcome he described as encouraging.
“We had more girls than boys represent the state, and we are very proud of that. Gender inclusion remains one of our top priorities in sports development,” Yakubu said.
Beyond sports, the commissioner highlighted youth-focused efforts in employment and industrialisation. He noted the governor’s youth-friendly appointments, such as Hon. Kassim Mohammed Kassim as the youngest Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), and the appointments of young professionals as heads of the Rural Development Agency and NASIDA.
Yakubu also spoke about the state’s push into industrial training and capacity building, particularly the approval of over 100 youths for training at a lithium processing plant in Shagamu, Ogun State.
“This is a strategic step in anticipation of the establishment of a lithium factory in Nasarawa State. The governor is preparing our youth for tomorrow’s opportunities,” he said.
According to him, the state’s Skill Acquisition Centre continues to make significant contributions by churning out graduates monthly with practical, employable skills that help reduce youth unemployment.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Ibrahim Tanko, said the purpose of the ministerial briefing was to highlight the impact of government policies on the people and to promote transparency.
“Our aim is to keep the public informed about the achievements of the government and to extend this awareness campaign to all zones in the state,” he stated.
On cultural revival, Tanko disclosed that the ministry is working to restore key tourism sites and traditional festivals, including the Eggon Hills, Farin Ruwa Waterfalls, and events like the Fish Festival and Pepa Ruwa.
He further said the ministerial briefing will continue with other ministries expected to present their performance reports as part of the Sule administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.