June 01, (THEWILL) – Director New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor, Dr Kola Oredipe, has donated a table tennis board, two playing bats and a set of balls to the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.
Presenting the table to the State Council at its secretariat, Dr Oredipe, said the gesture was in fulfilment of his earlier promise made to the council.
The governor’s aide, who is a journalist himself, said the new table tennis board was to replace the former one that is now in bad shape.
While stressing the importance of sports to human health and well-being, Dr Oredipe, said the presentation was also part of government efforts in promoting sports development in the State and amongst his colleagues in the pen fraternity.
Dr Oredipe also pledged to sponsor an annual or quarterly table tennis competition among journalists in the State.
His words, “When I look back, I was part of the history of the first table tennis board to the State Council. Here we are this afternoon, I thought it wise that being a journalist, even though I am serving in the government, this is a way to give back and support the relaxed mood we have in NUJ.
“On behalf of my principal, Senator Douye Diri and myself, being a part of you, I wish to donate this table tennis board.
“You know we often organise a table tennis competition among ourselves, if it’s annually or quarterly, I would like to sponsor a table tennis competition amongst journalists in Bayelsa”, Dr Oredipe said.
Receiving the items, the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, lauded the governor’s aide for being supportive of the activities of the council and commended him for matching words with action.
Comrade Numonengi, who promised not to disappoint him, said the gesture would go a long way in easing-of journalists’ stress after the normal routine just as he promised to make good use of table tennis.
