ABEOKUTA – Labour Party House of Representatives Candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Mr. Tolulope Philips has urged the Federal Government to deploy the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund for sports development and promotion.
Philips believes the teeming population of the youths in the country would be gainfully engaged if such fund were channeled towards sporting activities.
The politician disclosed this at the weekend during the final of Tolulope Philips Football Competition held in Abeokuta.
He stressed the need to address the socio-economic factors bedeviling youths, saying it is at the root of the insecurity and other social vices in the country.
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, on the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund.
He said: “Our youths need jobs, they need to be empowered with various skills to be able to fit into this modern age. The youths have talents and strength, once we engage them through sports, the thought of being political thugs will be eradicated.
“This is why we need to invest such money in sporting activities too. We will end up with the Messis, Ronaldos and Osihmens of this world and several other award-winning athletes in years to come.
“I advise we take a little of such fund and channel it in that direction. It will be helpful I am sure. It will take away our youths from cultism, banditry, thuggery and all sorts of vices. As they saying goes, the idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
“The establishment of the Youth Investment Fund by Mr. President is a huge step in the right direction.
“The major constraint of the youths in Nigeria is unemployment and unavailability of funds to start up private businesses; and so the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund goes a long way to show that the president is sensitive to the plights of the youths in Nigeria and is willing to address them.”
Meanwhile, Arena FC pip Gbadun Football Club to emerged champions of the maiden Tolulope Philips football competition.
He argued that no meaningful economic development could be achieved in any given society if various economic factors militating against the youths were not addressed.
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