Emmanuel Daudu
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), has unveiled plans for a South East Regional Basketball Championship aimed at identifying and developing grassroots sporting talent, while announcing a ₦2 million donation to support a youth basketball camp in Abia State.
General Musa made the announcement in Umuahia after inspecting the Umuahia Township Stadium at the end of his three-day official working visit to Abia State. During the visit, he interacted with young participants at the inaugural multi-age basketball camp organised by the Crossover Foundation and sponsored by Nigerian diaspora basketball stars Godsgift Achiuwa and Precious Achiuwa.
The Defence Minister commended the Crossover Foundation and the Abia State Government for collaborating to expand youth sports infrastructure across the state, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.
An avid basketball enthusiast, General Musa announced an immediate donation of ₦2,000,000 to support the camp’s operations and assured participants that the proposed regional championship would provide a competitive platform bringing together emerging basketball talents from all five South-East states.
He urged parents to encourage their children to participate in organised sports, stressing that athletics remains a vital tool for building discipline, leadership qualities and national unity.
The Minister also disclosed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria would soon commence targeted sports recruitment programmes to provide talented young athletes with opportunities to pursue careers in the military through sports.
In appreciation of his support for youth development through sports, the organisers presented General Musa with a signed basketball at the end of the visit.
The statement was signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence.
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