Society Gists

Lots of controversy has surrounded the N52m released by the Nasarawa State Government to the state ministry of youths and sports as grant to Premier League club Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons recently.

Some of the officials of the ministry were alleged to have diverted part of the money, with the development creating a furore.

Officials and players of the two clubs were said to have reported the ministry to Governor Tanko Al-Makura over the ‘missing’ money.

However, commissioner of youths and sports Bamaiyi Anangba on Thursday denied the ministry tampered with the money, insisting that it was used for right purpose.

Anangba told our correspondent in Lafia that the money was not only meant for Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons but also for the National Youth Service Corps camp in the state.

He said, “The sum of N52m that was released in the first stanza of the just-concluded Nigeria Professional Football League season was for both Nasarawa United and Nasarawa Amazons as well as for the National Youth Service Corps camp, because once the NYSC camping is on, the state government normally assists the corps members.

“Before we could access the money, the chairmen of the clubs had already gone on their own to seek money for their competitions. We have a debit of N50m they raised to take care of their various competitions. There is also N80m the state government borrowed when I came in as the commissioner of youths and sports development in the state.”

Anangba said the governor initially approved the sum of N16m out of the money, and the ministry decided to use 30 per cent of it to pay contractors.

He said the state government had approved the sum of N18.5m for the payment of the signing-on fees of the coaches and players.

He added, “Although the league season was quite challenging, Nasarawa United remained in the professional league.”

The commissioner said the side would be overhauled ahead of next season, saying some of the players would be sent packing.