By Ignatius Ushie
The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has pledged to support the forthcoming International Military Sports in Africa proposed for Sahel Region countries to promote peace through Sports. In a statement obtained by Transport Day.
Amaechi gave the pledge when the President, Organisation of Military Sports in Africa (OSMA), Brig. Gen. Maikano Abdulahi led a delegation to pay him a courtesy visit in Abuja, adding that it was a good initiative, stating that sports is a vital tool in promoting peace within the region
Speaking earlier, Brig. Gen. Maikano Abdullahi, the President of OSMA also known as Conseil International du Sport Militarie (CISM), said that the Council is a global institution that is concerned with organizing and coordinating Military sports in the world, which was established on Feb.18, 1948 in France after the World War II.
According to him,
“CISM is one of the largest multi sports organization in the world. The aim and objective of which is to make a major contribution to the prevention and resolution armed forces conflicts in the world through sports”, he said
He further disclosed that the organization has 132 member countries, adding that Nigeria became a bone-fide member in 1972 and has been very active in all CISM sporting activities ever since.
Abdullahi, however, stated that the visit was to ask the Ministry for support towards the forthcoming event billed for October in Abuja, describing Amaechi as a man of integrity who fosters peace.
“The purpose of the visit is to acquaint the Honourable Minister with some OSMA programmes and the proposed forthcoming Sahel Region countries sporting for peace to be hosted by Nigeria in October 2021 and to solicit for your supports to move the organization to a greater height.”
The events for the Sahel Region countries sports for peace include: Football, Marathon and Golf, while the countries are Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Tchad, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Libya and Benin Republic.”
