*says he has much to celebrate and nothing to regret
It was a period of reflection eulogizing joy and also sadness as the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung finally bowed out of the Ministry and officially handed over the mantle of leadership to the Permanent Secretary Mr. Olusade Adesola.
Speaking at the Hand Over ceremony which took place in Abuja recently, Barrister Dalung who was visibly happy said he thanked God for the opportunity given to him to serve the country which he described as rare especially in a complex Ministry like Youth and Sports where everybody’s interest is.
In his words, “Destiny is never the imagination of human mind but the ordination of the Supreme Being”. He said he came to the Ministry not to win but with determination to correct impression of leadership in the circle which he said has recorded the highest number of Ministers among Federal Ministries.
Dalung said he is particularly happy he was able to serve his tenure to the end and has done his best for the period he served. He attributed his achievements to the President, staff and other stakeholders, the media in particular whose incessant criticism spurred him to work harder.
He commended the Permanent Secretary for his immense support and described him as exceptional and unique person. A perfect bureaucrat that is well grounded in the system. He also charged the Directors to keep relating with each other and continue to work with team spirit, in that way they will be able to achieve more as Nigerians are expecting so much from the Ministry.
The Minister also admonished the youths to desist from restiveness and all kinds of evil vices. They should shun being used as thugs by politicians to achieve their evil intentions. He called on Government to look into the challenges of youths in the country especially unemployment.
Mr. Olusade Adesola the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry earlier in his address, eulogized the Minister for all his many achievements in both Sports and Youth development in the country and counted the Ministry fortunate to have a Minister like Barrister Dalung.
He reeled out some of these achievements which includes resuscitating of the National Sports Festival and the National Youth Game through which many young athletes have been discovered for the country. He said a lot of Youth programmes were organized under the Minister’s administration which has helped to curb some of the youth challenges. The Ministry recently also, inaugurated the 4th Session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament.
The Permanent Secretary described the Minister as “a conqueror and an achiever who has grown from strength to strength even in the face of all odds and is leaving with shoulder high full of accomplishment”.
The Hand over report was given in three folios; the Ministry and Agencies Report, the Departmental Report and the Ministry’s Parastatals Report. The occasion was witnessed by the Directors of the Ministry and Heads of the Ministry’s Agencies and Parastatals.
Ulor A. Chioma
For: Director Dress.
30th May 2019.
