The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) yesterday, emerged winner of the maiden edition of Nigerian Union of Journalists( NUJ) FCT Correspondents Chapel’s three-day football tournament.
Safety Shooters defeated Federal High Court (FHC) 6-5 on penalty to emerge the winner after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Meanwhile, NUJ President, Christopher Isiguzo-led FCT Correspondents Chapel’s team defeated Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 3-2 in a keenly contested novelty match played shortly after the final.
The Special Guest of Honor and Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu, who was represented by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, commended NUJ Correspondents Chapel for her efforts in organizing the tournament.
He described the sporting activity by the media as a step in the right direction, noting that the importance of sports in the country cannot be overemphasized.
Bisi said, “This collaboration is not just beginning, it started sometime in 2019. I remember very vividly we had the finals in one secondary school in Zone 3, and we won that year too.
“When you talk about collaboration, I think that apart from our stakeholders that are union members, we want to give it to the journalists has been one of our major stakeholders who have been propagating our deals.
“When you look at our functions, you will see we have a function known as public education that is out to educate the motorists on how to best use our roads and without the media, there is no how we can achieve this function very effectively. So, we want to say “thank you” for being there always and criticizing us constructively.
Adding: “Talking about sports, you remember that sometime in 2017, we started walking and jogging with one of the immediate past Corp Marshals – Osita Chidoka. So, we take sports very seriously and this collaboration will continue. As far as you continue to call, us we will continue to collaborate with you”, he added
Also speaking, the National President, of NUJ, Christopher Isiguzo, commended the leadership of NUJ, FCT Correspondents Chapel, describing the tournament as the first of its kind
He said: “This exercise organized by the correspondent Chapel is the first time and it simply goes to show the kind of leadership we have in the chapel.
“The leadership believes in coming out with wonderful initiatives and executing them. And they are this successful, so, I must have to congratulate the correspondents’ leadership for putting this together.
“At this time, I want to congratulate the participating teams that have taken part in this three-day competition which started on Thursday. They have to a very large extent, demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship while engaging in this competition.
“Indeed, it is so exciting that journalists can come together to exercise. Often times, we work round the clock; we hardly have time to unwind and to exercise. But other participating teams engage in this exercise always. Today, it is good we all abandoned all other engagements to come and exercise. It is important we engage in periodic exercise”, he added.
While commending the NUJ correspondents chapel for winning the novelty match against the Nigeria Bar Association, he however insisted that there was no Victor, no vanquish.
Also speaking at the event, Veteran Journalist and Managing Editor, of Northern Region, The Nation Newspaper, Mr Yusuf Ali praised the FCT NUJ Correspondents Chapel for a job well done.
Ali described the outing as the first of its kind and looked forward to another interesting tournament in the future.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, of NUJ FCT Correspondents, Mr Jide Oyekunle, said the tournament was not tailored to make winning the overall aim but to further boost and strengthen friendly relationships among the participating organizations in the interest of the country.
He said there is a need to leverage on the sporting activities to bridge the gap and align interests across the board for the purpose of better working relationships.
He said: “Today marks a milestone in the history of our Union with the successful hosting of a three-day football tournament as part of activities to formally unveil our football team – Team Correspondents.
“In the course of carrying out our statutory responsibilities, we cross each other’s paths by commission or omission, which at times, may have resulted in misunderstanding and bickering.
“This event will further promote the working relationship, collaboration and synergy among the participating organizations.
“For us at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, we have played the game and we have succeeded in teaching other participating organizations the rudiments, principles and fundamentals of soccer.”
The highlight of the event includes the presentation of the trophies to the winning team and sponsors, the presentation of medals, the inauguration of Team Correspondents, the presentation of customized jerseys to the NUJ President and others.
