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By JOE APU
Chairman of the Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts, Prince Harrison Jalla, has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent steps to ensure the immediate take-off of the Federal University of Sports, Nkalagu, in Ebonyi State.
Jalla expressed concern that almost three years after the Federal University of Sports, Nkalagu Establishment Act, 2023 was signed into law, no practical steps have been taken by the Federal Government to commence operations at what is expected to be the country’s premier sports university.
According to him, the delay persists despite the support and commitment of the Ebonyi State Government led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, which had already provided the required parcel of land for the project.
He noted that no management team or principal officers have been appointed to facilitate the take-off of the university, leaving the project in limbo and raising concerns among stakeholders in the sports sector.
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The specialized institution was established following the signing of the Federal University of Sports, Nkalagu Establishment Act into law on May 26, 2023 by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jalla further recalled that the Federal Government, through the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, had in a letter dated July 23, 2024 conveyed presidential approval for the commencement of the university and the appointment of a Governing Council to facilitate its take-off.
However, he said the approvals are yet to translate into concrete action on ground.
Jalla therefore urged President Tinubu to do the needful by appointing the governing council and principal officers of the institution to enable the university begin operations, noting that the project holds immense potential for Nigerian youths seeking to build careers in sports.
