The Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare has been turbaned as Sarkin Wassannin Hausa (King/Leader of Approved Sports in Hausa land) by the Daura Emirate Council led by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar, CON.
At the historic coronation ceremony in the Palace of the Emir in Daura, the Emir indicated that the conferment was in recognition of the Minister’s glowing contributions to nation building through grassroots sports development in the country.
Director of Press and Public Relations Mohammed Manga in a statement pointed out that the conferment was further in recognition of the Minister’s commitment to the implementation of Sports and Youth Initiatives as well as other laudable projects and policies put together by the present Administration through the Ministry of Sports.
Umar further stated that Dare has made it possible for the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to be able to reposition the sports sector by giving it a new lease of life which led to the refurbishing of several sporting facilities across the country including National Stadium, Surulere,
Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ile Ife, Osun State, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, as well as the Daura Township Stadium in Daura, Katsina State, among others
As a result of these and many more, “I hereby confer on you “Sarkin Wassannin Hausa” that is, “King of Approved Sports in the entire Hausaland”, he said.
The Emir disclosed that the Emirate will continue to recognize hard working Nigerians from all the nooks and crannies of the country, especially in their efforts at ensuring the implementation of the developmental projects of the present Adminstration
He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing credible Nigerians to help in driving his policies so as to impact directly on the lives of the common man.
Earlier, in a Congratulatory message, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the Conferment of Sarkin Wassannin Hausa on the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Dare is well deserved, noting that the Title was given to the Minister, not only for his contributions to grassroots sports development in Daura emirate but also across the country in general.
He commended Chief Dare for his efforts at ensuring that government succeeds in revamping the sector, stressing that the various initiatives brought forward has contributed in showcasing sports as a tool for peace, unity and diplomacy as well as moving it from mere recreation to business for improved socio-economic development of the country.
The President expressed optimism that “the tremendous energy, passion and dedication Dare brings to the job will continue to inspire many young Nigerians to excel in the track, field and other personal vocations, thereby raising the bar of their career.”
Responding, the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Akinlabi Dare stated that the recognition is a validation of the efforts put in by both athletes, officials and all sports loving Nigerians into making sports what it has become in Nigeria today.
He said that “the greatest credit goes to President Muhammadu Buhari who found me worthy to become a Minister and gave me this particular portfolio . He has allowed me to shine through giving my life’s best to my country”
The Sarkin Wassannin further thanked the Daura Emirate Council, especially the Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar, for finding him worthy to be crowned with the prestigious traditional title. He described him as a man of great wisdom, deteibalised Royal Father, adding that the conferment will spur him into doing more for his Fatherland.
The Royal Ceremony which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including top government officials, politicians, the Diplomatic Community, Captains of Industry as well as the organised private sector also witnessed the conferment of a traditional Title on the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.