Laleye Dipo in Minna
All the 120 athletes that will wear the Niger State colours at the 20th National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in Benin City have received the Covid-19 vaccines in Minna.
The vaccines were administered on the athletes last Thursday under the direct supervision of the Director of Disease Control in the state’s Ministry of Health, Dr Samuel Jiya.
Jiya asked the athletes to disregard any negative information they might have heard about the vaccine insisting that it is safe and efficacious.
Jiya also assured the athletes that the vaccine has no side effects and therefore asked the contingent to go ahead with their preparation for the National Sports Festival.
The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Mr Emmanuel Umar, said at the kickoff of the vaccination that the exercise is in fufilment of one of the requirements for states to present athletes for the festival.
Umar who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mallam Yunusa Na Hauni, asked the athletes to ensure they abide by other Covid-19 regulations for their safety.
It was learnt that the state’s contingent to the festival will depart Minna for Benin City on April 2, this year.
