The Acting President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, on Saturday hailed the patriotic spirit of the Twelve-Twelve Polo and Turf Club, Gwarimpa Abuja, for constructing a sporting arena to promote sports in the FCT.
Osinbajo gave the commendation when he inspected the facility and the club House in Gwarimpa.
“This just tells you the Nigerian story, how the private individuals can, with so much determination and commitment and using their own resources in drawing from their private sector experience, to doing something great.
“I think that is really what this is all about; what we are seeing here is truly great edifice and a truly great enterprise.
“I came to take a look and encourage the executive and members of the Turf Club,’’ he said.
On why he named a horse in the club “Alala’’, the Acting President explained that the word meant “a dreamer’’ noting that “every great achievement comes with a dream.’’
According to him, the club is a product of a dream of the club’s executives.
“I just wanted to celebrate those who dream, those who have visions by naming the horse after them,’’ he stated.
He noted that everyone who had a dream “is an Alala’’ and added that he too had a dream and as such became an Alala.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club has presented Alala to the acting President as a gift.
Osinbajo while addressing the club members earlier, noted that they put up the investment without thinking of the immediate prospect of personal reward.
He said it was not a common feature in the country and noted that the club had actually erected an expensive project in the FCT.
He said the private sector was crucial in the development of the country and described the facility as a landmark in the territory.
The acting President advised that the members should strive to make the club one of the best in the world to become a tourism destination.
Osinbajo said he looked forward to being a part of the club’s vision and activities, especially in being able to encourage other private investors to support the club.
He advised the youth to embrace the club and keep the tag of Abuja as the “Centre of Unity” alive.
He noted that the diversity of the country made it great while the national greatness was more important than the greatness of some of the parts.
“We should not be apologetic about the fact that we are diverse because our diversity is a source of strength and all the countries that are great have used their diversity to make progress.
“I strongly support your effort in making this place truly a centre of national unity and I believe that the more that we attract that spirit of national unity and promote it the better for all of us as a nation,’’ he said.(NAN)