The Director-General National Institute for Sports (NIS), Prof. Olawale Moronkola, has assured that everything is being done to reposition the institute and ensure that it fulfils its core mandate without distraction.
Speaking after a tour of ongoing projects at the Institute, at the weekend, Moronkola said, “We are strategising and rebranding to bring better service to Nigeria. The Minister has called for our position on a move by some people to set up parallel NIS. We have written to the Corporate Affairs Commission to disassociate the NIS from this group.
“I believe these people are just testing the waters. We shall ensure that they do not distract us. Only the government has the power to approve such an Institute after going through the normal channels of appropriate legislation.
“Alot of things have been revived at the NIS with new courses, while facilities are being upgraded. We have set up a state-of-the-art gym, just as a mini stadium, a new hostel and a new lecture theatre is under construction.”
He said that accommodation for students and staff has been upscaled and the library well equipped. Moronkola said: “We are managing the little resources made available by government and commend government for all the support.
“Some individuals have approached us for collaboration and we shall make the best of it to impact sports development in Nigeria. But our staff needs to be equipped so that they can pass the knowledge to other people. We are rejigging our curriculum and inviting seasoned professionals to take up courses at the Institute. People should support the NIS to achieve its core mandate and not working at cross purposes.”
