. ARCO promises to sponsor more youths
Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Joy Udo-Gabriel believes her next target is to pick a slot in the Nigeria’s contingent to this year’s Confederation of African Athletics (CAA)-organised African Senior Championship holding in Delta in August.
Speaking at the reception hosted by her sponsor – ARCO Group in Lagos on Tuesday, the 18-year-old sprinter said she would not relent in her efforts to cement her place in Team Nigeria.
The University of Lagos undergraduate was part of the women’s 4X100m quartet that won bronze at the Gold Coast Commonwealth games in Australia.
She expressed her appreciation to Arco Group for the support.
Udo-Gabriel called on other corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands in sponsoring talented Nigerian youths in order to build the country’s sports sector.
“I have been working very hard at training to make sure that my sponsors and trainers are happy. I am looking forward to making the senior championship that is coming up in Asaba soon. I will work very hard to not only to qualify for the Olympics, but to also win gold medal.”
Group Managing Director (GMD) of ARCO Group, Alfred Okoigun said it has become necessary to allow youths to develop talents apart from academics that may prove crucial to their wellbeing and general growth of the country.
Okoigun promised that Arco Group would continue to sponsor more youths in the country to realise their dreams.
“The youths if not properly directed are big problem for the country. So, they need mentorship and this is not for government alone. .Rather, corporate organisations and individuals in the country must create the environment to motivate the youths
“Here in ARCO, we will continue to do our best to support Nigerian youths who are truly ready to achieve their dreams.
Recently, we went into collaboration with the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) to train Nigerian youths, mentor them
and bring up their inventions and innovations into the market.
“More importantly, our educational institutions (particularly the tertiary institutions) should blend academics with non- curriculum activities such as sports to give the youths more opportunities in their quest to live their future dreams,” Okoigun stated.