UNIVERSITY OF JOS

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

UNIJOS TO ESTABLISH SPORTS INSTITUTE

The University of Jos is intensifying efforts towards establishing a Sports Institute as part of its strategy to turn the University into a Sports hub in Nigeria. The unique weather and scenic beauty of Jos where the University is located makes the institution a highly conducive venue for organizing international Sports competitions and other outdoor activities. That is why the University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Sports University in South Korea to develop a comprehensive Sports programme through the Sports Institute that will harness the talents that abound across the Country in the various fields of Sports.

This came to light when the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya inaugurated the University’s Sports Committee led by Professor Ishaya Pam in his office at the Administrative Building, Naraguta Campus.

Professor Tanko Ishaya said he is conscious of the promise he earlier made to the world that the University will host the best ever NUGA games in the Country when the competition is held next year.

Professor Ishaya called for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the pronouncement is not seen to have been made out of exuberance but with specific aims and objectives in mind to prioritize the development of the University’s Sports programme and facilities. He disclosed that the University is entering into strategic partnerships with a wide range of public-spirited organizations and institutions that will facilitate the introduction of a comprehensive Sports curriculum in the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that the wealth of experience garnered by the Chairman of the Sports Committee, Professor Ishaya Pam in Sports Administration, will enable the University achieve the desired goals and make a historical mark. Professor Ishaya assured that all observations and advice given by members of the Committee would be urgently considered and appropriate action taken as he charged them to ensure they deliver on their mandate.

Chairman of the Sports Committee, Professor Ishaya Pam of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Health Sciences, University of Jos, presented some findings of the Sports Committee on the current state of Sports development in the University which he said required considerable improvement in order to host a very successful NUGA games.

While acknowledging the financial challenges being faced by Nigerian Universities, Professor Pam believes establishing a Sports Institute that has the capacity to recruit and train Students to excel in the various Sports events and related Disciplines will be a wise investment that will generate huge revenue for the University. Professor Pam who was formally the Chief Medical Director of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), proprietors of the defunct JUTH Football Club of Jos, equally recommended the establishment of a Sports Directorate that will be responsible for the day-to-day administration of Sports in the University.

The Sports Committee Chairman called for the strengthening of the partnership between the University and the Plateau State Sports Council to improve some Technical and Administrative aspects of the University’s Sports programme for intensive preparation towards the 2024 NUGA games.

He appreciated the University Management for sponsoring two Taekwondo players and officials to a competition in Edo state where one of the players won Gold and will be participating at the World Universities Games in China.

Highpoint of the occasion was the approval given by the Vice-Chancellor for the immediate recruitment of Coach Ben Duamlong to join the Technical Crew of the University on Contract basis following the recommendation of the Sports Committee. It will be recalled that Coach Duamlong, a seventy-year old former Player and Coach of the Nigerian National Football team, the Super Eagles, recently graduated from the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Jos and was awarded the prize of Best Graduating Student from his class during the University’s last Convocation ceremony.

The University’s Sports Committee includes Dr. Nanfa Danjuma Kusa, Mr. Godwin Ankwai and Dr Christopher Piwuna as well as Mr. Usman Baba, Mr. Francis Agur and Dr (Mrs) Aisha Hirse as members. Others are Mrs. Lydia Julson, Mr. Abdullahi Abdullahi and Mrs. Ladidi Mafuyai who is to serve as Secretary.

The Sports Committee, which is to serve for an initial period of two (2) years, has three Terms of Reference which include overseeing all sporting activities in the University, ensuring that the University is optimally represented and actively involved in the forthcoming NUGA games in the Country, and making other suggestions or recommendations that may assist the Committee in carrying out its assignment. 

 

Signed

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications

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