The Grand finale of the 2011 edition of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) sports and cultural festival has commenced with 22 states taking part in various sporting events, drama, dance and comedy.
The event which was declared open by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Samuel Afolayan, who was represented by Commodore Kingsley Nwokena is the 27th edition since inception. The theme is: Sports and Culture As Tool For National Transformation: The Role Of NYSC and with the introduction of standup comedy as one of the events to be competed for by the NYSC state secretariats.
Giving his welcome address, the Director General, Brig.Gen. Nnamdi Okore-Affia, said sports have assumed the status of social mobilisation instrument for the nation’s youth and adult alike.
“Over the years, sports have galvanized the diverse multi-ethnic groups in the country for positive collective social action. In light of the foregoing, we consider it a great privilege and worthy service to our great nation to be part of today’s activities.”
“In the next five days, our young men and women drawn from various states of service shall be competing for honours under different sporting and cultural events, the exercise will enable the corps members interact more deeply, build bridges of understanding and cooperation across diverse culture,” He said.