From Esther Akaa, Lafia
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has applauded the Jordan Nwora Foundation (JNF) for impacting positively on the lives of underprivileged children, especially in the area of basketball.
Sule said the achievements recorded so far by the foundation through talents scouting will go a long long way in bringing prosperity to the families of the children, Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large.
The governor stated this on Monday at Government House, Lafia when he hosted members of the foundation, who are in the state for a basketball talent scouting organised for the North Central zone of Nigeria.
He thanked JNF for choosing to hold its basketball talent hunt in Nasarawa State, describing the development as one of the best things that has happened to state in recent times.
Sule said: “I want to thank you, most sincerely, for selecting Nasarawa State for this noble project. This means a lot to us.
“We have lots of talents and dreams in our state, and I am happy for the wonderful job that Jordan Nwora is doing today.
“I want to congratulate the youth for this golden opportunity that has come to their doorstep. Indeed, you have done us proud, and I am happy that we have made the right selection by converting our City Hall into a sports coliseum.
“My dream is to make the facility look like one of those renowned facilities in the world, accommodating various indoor sporting activities, even though this is going to take a while and some resources.
“I had the opportunity of visiting some renowned world facilities, especially in Houston, San Antonio, Boston Celtics, all in the United States of America, just name them, when I was still working in the Oil and Gas Company.”
Earlier, President of JNF, Anthony Nwora, revealed that the choice of Nasarawa State was premeditated as the state that provides favourable environment that encourages basketball skills development for kids and coaches.
“Our journey here is a divine task to give back to the kids. Nasarawa State is very peaceful, has a lot of talented youth, is secure, has a world-class and fantastic gymnasium, the people are hospitality, and above all, the state has a governor, who has a burning desire to develop sports and empower the youth.
“We believe that the kids and youth, especially the less privileged, are the future of the society, and helping them to achieve their dreams is our mainstay.
“We are here with our team from the United States of America and here in Nigeria to ensure that these kids get the best, both in basketball and education,” he said.
He, therefore, thanked the governor and the people of Nasarawa State for the warm reception accorded them, assuring to make the talent hunt programme an annual event.
The Voice reports that the scouting programme began on Sunday, July 24 and will end on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at the Lafia Sports Arena in Lafia.
The Voice also reports that Jordan Nwora is a dual Nigerian-American citizen, who plays for Nigeria’s Men’s D’Tigers and Milwaukee Bucks in the American NBA.