Kogi State First Lady Drums Support for GYB Youth Basketball Empowerment Tourney

 

By Akin Bolarinwa 

The wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Rashida Bello, has thrown her weight behind the much anticipated GYB youth empowerment basketball tournament due to hold in Lokoja in December. 

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the renovated basketball court and the hosting of the GYB Youth empowerment competition schedule to hold inside the newly renovated facility at the Federal University of Technology, Lokoja, the Kogi first lady appreciated the gesture of Sam Oguche Foundation for coming back to give back to the youth.

"I appreciate the efforts of Sam Oguche and his foundation, he is making statements with the development of basketball in Kogi"

Hajia Rashida Yahaya Bello stated further that, the youth are the future of the nation hence the state is committed to supporting more initiatives like this from young people in the state.

"The Sam Oguche foundation is offering us a lot through sports and entertainment. This is in tandem with the present administration initiative and we want to appreciate him with our supports. 

The founder of the foundation, Mr Samuel Oguche says the Kogi state first lady is a source of inspiration and motivation for young people across Nigeria. Oguche is thankful to Hajia Rashida Bello for making time for the commissioning of the newly basketball court in Lokoja. 

The GYB Youth Empowerment Basketball Competitions is expected to kick off this December.

Sam Oguche explains how Mutari Bello inspire him to build a Basketball Court

 

By Akin Bolarinwa 

Foremost basketball exponent, Samuel Oguche says he was inspired to refurbish and renovate the Lokoja basketball court by an amazing gentleman called Mutari Bello.

Murtari Bello, a philanthropist and respected gentleman, has been one of the major stakeholders in Kogi state basketball. 

  

Oguche told news men that Mutari has kind of paved the way for this generation to do what they know how to do best.

"He kinda gave me the encouragement to keep doing what I’m doing and he inspired me to build and renovate basketball courts across the state".

Oguche shares how his collaboration with the iconic Mutari came to be and how the relationship with his basketball youth camps continues to evolve.

"The game of basketball is evolving and necessary steps are needed to fast track the development of the game. Mutari made himself available for the sport to thrive and he's doing his best to assist private investors like us".

He stated further that Mutari Bello inspired him to reach higher for his own brand and to the service of humanity. 

"He is passionate about sports not just basketball and always there to help people grow".

The Governor Yahaya Bello  youth basketball  tournament comes up this December in the city of Lokoja .

Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello empowers youths with Basketball Championship

All is now set for the 2021 Samuel Oguche Basketball Youth Clinic billed for second week of December in Lokoja, Kogi State. 

The competition tagged Governor Yahaya Bello - Basketball Youth Empowerment, GYB-BYE will be used to take more youths from the streets through sports. 

The yearly basketball tourney is an initiative of former Nigerian basketball player, Sam Oguche which has been on for over a decade. 

According Oguche, the three day tourney will also have a kids' basketball camp where kids will be exposed to basics in the game of slamming and dunking.

He disclosed that Lokoja, the Kogi State capital was chosen for this year's event to compliment Governor Yahaya Bello's effort in encouraging youths in the state through sports. 

Oguche said the Governor has also donated a giant trophy for another basketball championship to be organized among the higher institutions in the state. 

"We are having a basketball clinic. in Kogi State in mid December. We are expecting teams from Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country for three day tournament.  and kids' camp. 

"In doing this, we are keying into what Governor Yahaya Bello is doing to support kids through sports, so we are doing this in Kogi to support him through basketball. 

"A trophy has also been donated to a University for basketball tournament, courtesy of His Excellency, Governor Bello, so we are set for action in December.

Sam Oguche has held several youth basketball camps in notable cities in Nigeria including Lagos, Abuja, Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Anambra.