6 July 2009
Abuja — Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, while declaring the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees in Africa open yesterday said that Nigeria's acceptance to host the permanent secretariat of ANOCA was a means of demonstrating the resolve of the federal government to develop sports at all levels. Later, the president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge performed the foundation stone laying ceremony for the permanent secretariat of the ANOCA.
Dr. Jonathan, however, described sports as a veritable tool of national and international cohesion which if well harnessed has the potentials of bringing out the ideals of the world where peace and unity reign.
"Sports provides opportunities for the youths to shun violence and other vices like drug abuse, armed robbery, kidnaping etc", Dr. Goodluck Jonathan said.
He also used the opportunity to state that the country will be part of the Youth Olympic Games coming up next year in Singapore as well as the London 2012 Olympic Games and added that Nigerian athletes have done very well in the Olympic games.
The secretariat of the body was transferred from Cameroon to Nigeria after the federal government of Nigeria accepted to play host to the body.
In his own remarks, the president of ANOCA, General Lassana Palenfo thanked the Nigerian government for accepting to host the general assembly as well as the secretariat of the body, saying the gesture will be an excellent springboard for the future.
The IOC president Rogge, praised Nigeria for her achievements in sports especially for successfully hosting the 8th All Africa Games in 2003, which marked his first ever visit to the country.
He equally expressed his hope that African athletes will continue to do well in the Olympics.
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