Ministers of Youth and Sports Development in the country were charged with creating deliberate policies to keep youths engaged at every moment.
After taking members of the Akwa Ibom State Council of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Akwa Ibom State Council, on a tour of his school at Ediene Abak, Mr. Udom Ekpoudom (the proprietor of Tower of Ivory Schools) gave this advice.
Ekpoudom stated youths would be guided in how to use their time for gainful engagement and thus reduce their involvement in activities that are harmful to the development of society.
Retired AIG, the AIG stated that his passion for sports development in schools stemmed from the fact it engages students minds, intellect, and diverts their attention from social vices.
He stated that one of his driving forces in building a sports infrastructure is realizing that sports could be used for bait to improve the intellectual capacities of students.
I love my country and will do everything to help it grow. I have ventured into schools to support the growth and development of education in my state.
He said that today’s construction of sports infrastructure is a deliberate effort to harness the love of sports to enhance the intellectual capabilities of our students and teachers.
Comrade Emmanuel Akpan (Akwa Ibom State SWAN Chairman) stated that the tour was necessary in order to allow his members to see first-hand the school’s conscious efforts towards the development and promotion of sports.
We have heard about the revival of sports infrastructure at your school, and we are here to see it firsthand. We, as sports writers, are committed to the development of and promotion sports. It is our responsibility to report such development to all members of the public.
The school’s infrastructure, which includes a nursery, academy, and secondary school with branches in Port Harcourt, is now a mini-stadium of 500 seats capacity. It also has a standard natural-grass football field with reinforced aluminum goalposts, modern basketball and volleyball courts, two badminton courts, and an indoor sports hall.
Other options include a long jump pitch, an equipped squash court, and a standard swimming area.