Abuja – The National Sports Commission (NSC) on Thursday inaugurated an 11-man Nigeria House Project Committee for the RIO 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Inaugurating the committee, the Director-General of NSC, Al-Hassan Yakmut, charged the members to deploy “their wealth of experience’’ to make the project a success.
Yakmut said that the committee would implement the Nigeria House Project in Rio de Janeiro.
“You are to oversee the implementation of the Nigeria House Project specifically for the RIO 2016 Olympics, identify and recommend a suitable venue within proximity to games venue in RIO de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Identify and solicit for sponsorship, locally and outside Nigeria to get participants and tourists for Nigeria House activities.
“Liaise with the Nigeria Embassy and the Local Organising Committee of the Games at RIO for smooth logistics.
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“Especially the movement of participants and materials such as solid mineral, artifacts, Art, craft and investment equipments.
“Organise an interactive sessions, launches, cocktails, social and gala nights that will depicts Nigeria’s wealth and riches in cultural dances and drama.
“You are to make available, relevant information, games tickets; event timing and venues specifically for Nigeria Sports enthusiast and participants at the Nigeria House in order to keep them abrade of the activities of the games proper.
“You are to re-evaluate the options in detail and take decisions that will add maximum value to the project termed `The Nigeria project’.“
Yakmut said that the establishment of a Hospitality House during the Olympic Games was an age-old tradition intended to promote discipline and inter-personal relationships.
He said that the house also helped in the propagation of socio-economic and political development of every nation before, during, and after the games.
The director general further said that the house would showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage in arts, craft, music, fashions, delicacies, tourism potential and solid minerals.
Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Tunde Popola, said that the committee agreed to take up the responsibility given it, to project Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
“I hereby accept on behalf of all members to perform this assignment, honourably, beautifully, and with the best and highest sense of responsibility.
“With the responsibility that we have been given, it is not only for us; it is a national responsibility.
“Every corporate institution and Nigerian knows that this is a show apart from the sports that we are going to participant in.
“This is the other side that will showcase Nigeria the best way it is.
“I want to appeal to the corporate bodies to join us in this task to see that Nigeria meets the standards and that we do not fail.’’
Other members of the committee are: Mohammed Abdullahi (Project Coordinator); Celeb Gidado (Member); Tunde William (Representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) and a representative of the Nigeria Embassy in Brazil. (NAN)
