The Cross River State Government has said that
the participants of the 2017 edition of the Chief Justice of Nigerian Sports
competition also Known as CJN games to be hosted in Calabar, the Capital city of Cross River State
and haven of Hospitality will experience nothing short of a sweet blend of
sports and tourism all through their stay in the state.
Addressing news men in the State at a press briefing
held at the Michael Ani Secretariat, Head quarter of the Cross River State Ministry
of Youths and Sports Development Calabar, the State Commissioner for youths and
sport development Comrade Asu Okang said the state is fully prepared and ready
to host members of the judiciary as they come for their annual sporting competition
in the state. Slated for Thursday 23rd August through Sunday, 3rd
September, 2017.
Comr. Okang noted that his Excellency the
Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade’s decision to host the
games in the state despite the slim financial resources of the state is as a
mark of respect for the Chief Justice of Nigeria, his Lordship Hon. Justice
Walter Onnoghen who is also an indigene of Cross River State.
“For
us as a government his Excellency, the Governor Sen. Prof Ben Ayade, Okayed the
hosting of the event regardless of the considerably slim financial resources of
the state. But we have decided to as a
matter of patriotism and a mark of respect for our own son who is the chief
justice of Nigeria, his Lordship Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen who is also an
indigene of CRS.” He said.
Speaking further, the youthful youth commissioner
welcomed all athletes from the 36 states of the federation to Cross River State,
Africa warmest home of hospitality, stating that the governor has made
provision for all logistics that will aid a hitch-free sporting competition in
the state, and that all security agencies in the state had been briefed of
their coming thus their security and safety in the state is guaranteed.
According to him “As at the last count all
security agencies in the state have been put on the know of your stay in the state
for the games thus, modalities have been put on ground to ensure the safety of
all visitors in the state.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on sports,
Hon. Effiom Effiwat while also addressing the press made it clear that Cross River
State which is known for its tourism potentials is best in tourism and sport in
Nigeria thus, the preferred location to host this sort of games.
He told the visiting Judiciary Athletes and
sports men that “…in line with our tradition we are going to deliver a memorable game
to all the participants. So this is not going to be the regular CJN games or
the Judiciary games, but it will have a very special component, which is a
blend of sport and tourism. So we are going to deliver sport tourism experience”
Also speaking, Mr. Emeka Ndili, president of
National Judiciary Games told newsmen that this year’s competition which is the
23rd edition will see the awarding of over 1000 medals to deserving athletes
and sport men, the medals which comprise 400 Gold, 300 Silver and 300 Bronze
shall be contested for by over 1000 athletes and 300 officials who shall be
visiting the state from 19 states of the federation who have indicated interest
to be part of the games and about 11 Federal courts and Judiciary institutions
from across the federation.
The National President also disclosed that during
the opening ceremony of the games which has been slated for Thursday 23rd
August, 3 high profile Nigerians who have contributed so much to the
development of judiciary sport will be awarded as patrons of the National
Sports Association for Judiciary they are Gov. Yaya Bello, Hon. Justice M.M Dudo and Hon. Justice Galadima JFC, CFR retired.
“This is the 23rd edition of the
annual chief justice of Nigeria sports competition that is the judiciary games
and it couldn’t have come at a better time to CRS other than now when the son
of the soil His Lordship Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen is the CJN. As of today, about 19 states have indicated
interest to be part of this competition, and 11 fed. Courts and judiciary
institutions all in total we are expecting about 1000 athletes and about 300
officials will be accompanying the athletes.” He said
The state chairman of the national judiciary
games, comrade Assanya, said the state chapter is ready to host their colleagues
and in high spirit to fully participate in the competition as athletes had
already started training in preparation for the competition.
Finally the Commissioner for youths and sports
development called on young people and vendors to take advantage of the
opportunity to take up stands in the venues of the competition to sell their
wares and make some money for themselves while the competition last.
“We are bringing over 1500 athletes and officials
into the state and they are staying here for days with spending power. The
import of that is that their presence will add to the economy of the state,
vendors will take advantage of this to take stands where there will make some
money for themselves.” He said.
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