19th NSF: Buhari To Arrive 5pm As Closing Ceremony Ends on Monday

19th NSF: Buhari To Arrive 5pm As Closing Ceremony Ends on Monday By Niyi Busari As Nigerians bid farewell to the 2018 national sports festival, those that witness it will not forget in an hurry the glories, gains, happiness, sportsmanship, joy, it brings after its six years of not been held since 2012 in Lagos. After a 12-day non-stop sporting events, the closing ceremony program starts from 3:00 pm when the gate of the mainbowl of the national stadium will be thrown open for Nigerians to witness the most glamorous entertaining closing ceremony. The arrival of the Main Organising Committee, Local Organising Committee members, guests and Elders Statemen is scheduled for 4:00 pm. The Grand Patron of the National Sports Festival and President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR is expected to grace the occasion and arrive by 5pm. As soon as he arrives, the national anthem will be recited and immediately the parades by the athletes and officials by states come on. Honourable Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello will mount the podium to address the guests and Nigerians at the National Stadium by 6:35 pm. Meanwhile, musical performance by Funbi and CDQ will come in for all athletes and officials to shake off their tiredness and also entertain all Nigerians. Address by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr Solomon Selcap Dalung, is billed for 6:50 pm. Famous Nigerian artistes, Small Doctor, Sheyi Shay, Skales, will be doing what they know how to do best when they mount the stage, handle the microphones sing and entertain Nigerians from 7:35 pm. Presentation of trophies and certificates to winning states follows immediately after the musical performance. Main Organising Committee chairman and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Olusade Adesola will give the vote of thanks and remarks by 8:25 pm while the closing address will be handled by His Excellency Professor, Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, Vice President Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lowering of the festival flag, recitation of national anthem and extinguishing of festival flame come up from 8:30 - 8:55 pm. However, it will not end until Monday morning as popular and famous Nigerian singers will be on parade to entertain till dawn. The 19th national sports festival started on 6th and comes to an end Sunday 16th December saw Delta retain the title won in 2012 and the state will be crowned champions again later today. Delta state continues to be the best sports state in Nigeria as they raked in 157 gold, 76 silver, and 91 bronze medals to emerge the champions. Rivers state came second with 63 gold, 51 silver and 64 bronze while Edo and Lagos states came 3rd and 4th respectively. The hosts, FCT were 7th on the medals table with 21 gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze. The laurels may however, increase later as there are two sport events to be concluded.