The Nigerian Navy has said its newly inaugurated multipurpose outdoor sports arena in Eziowelle, Anambra, will help curb youth restiveness and reduce the involvement of young people in social vices by providing opportunities for healthy recreation and talent development.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, stated this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the sports facility in Eziowelle, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.
Abbas, who was represented by Rear Adm. Semiu Adepegba, Chief of Communications and Information Technology, said the project was executed under the Chief of Naval Staff Special Intervention Quick Impact Project Scheme.
The arena accommodates six sporting activities, including tennis, basketball, badminton, volleyball, handball and five-a-side football, with restrooms and changing rooms also provided.
According to the CNS, the project is designed to address critical community needs while strengthening the relationship between the Armed Forces and the people.
He said the facility would provide youths with a suitable platform for social interaction and sporting activities, thereby helping to reduce restiveness and involvement in social vices within Eziowelle and neighbouring communities.
“The project will provide a suitable social and sporting facility for youths to further reduce the occurrences of youth restiveness and their involvement in social vices in the community and its environs.
“Also, it will improve the quality of life of residents and contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of the community,” Abbas said.
He urged members of the community to protect and maintain the facility to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Abbas commended the project facilitator, Rear Adm. Emmanuel Anakwe, for identifying the need in his community and effectively utilising the intervention funds to deliver a project with lasting benefits.
He also appreciated the Anambra Government and the leadership of Idemili North Local Government Area for supporting the successful completion of the project.
“The Nigerian Navy remains committed to strengthening civil-military cooperation and supporting initiatives that promote national development and social cohesion,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo said sports remained a critical tool for youth engagement, talent discovery and healthy living.
Soludo, represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Patrick-Agha Mba, said the state’s think-home and public-private partnership policies were encouraging individuals and organisations to contribute to community development.
“Community governance and development cannot be achieved by government alone. It is a collective effort,” he said.
The governor commended the Nigerian Navy and Anakwe for the project and urged well-meaning individuals, corporate bodies and groups to support similar initiatives across communities.
Anakwe said the sports arena was established to promote youth empowerment, healthy recreation and community development in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the project reflected a collective commitment to nurturing young talents, promoting unity and strengthening the social fabric of Idemili North.
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“If just one child from this community finds their footing here, plays the best football, volleyball, lawn tennis or handball and scores their first goal here, then this project will have fulfilled its purpose,” he said.
The traditional ruler of Eziowelle, Igwe Michael Okonkwo, thanked the Nigerian Navy and Anakwe for bringing the facility to the community, describing it as a significant contribution to the welfare and development of the people.
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