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By Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt
The International Sports Press Association, Africa (AIPS), has nominated Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the AIPS Africa ‘Power of Sports’ (POS) award.
President AIPS Africa, Mr Mitchell Obi, announced this during a courtesy visit to the governor at The Government House in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Mitchell Obi, who led presidents of some African countries’ sportswriters unions to Port Harcourt stated that the AIPS would bestow on Wike with a badge of honour in recognition of his investments in the sports sector.
Obi who disclosed that Wike is the first recipient of the award in the African continent,  said there are four other awardees globally.Â
The AIPS Africa president said the award ceremony would hold at a later date during the international congress of the association.Â
Responding, Governor Wike dedicated the award to the people of Rivers State, pledging to sustain the development of sports in the state.Â
He assured the global association of sportswriters that he would live up to the requirements of the award by ensuring that sports is used as a tool for empowerment.Â
Wike said sports is being used in the state to promote peace, unity and development.Â
The governor noted that the African Wrestling Championship hosted by the state government has promoted the unity of the continent.Â
He disclosed that by the first week of March, the Real Madrid Football Academy foundation stone would be laid in the state.Â
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of a special souvenir to Wike by the AIPS President.Â
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