Teams from Bayelsa and Rivers States set Enugu – the coal city – agog on Friday
May 27, 2022, when they emerged champions in the girls and boys categories
respectively at the Equatorial Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools
Basketball Championship.
St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata, Bayelsa State defeated Our Lady of
Lourdes Secondary School, Azu-Ebonyi, Ebonyi State 43 to 6 in a one-sided
match, while in a nail-biting encounter, the boys from King Amachree Academy,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State defeated their counterparts from Bishop Dimieari
Grammar School, Obom, Bayelsa State 30 to 20 in the boys category.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 3rd in the four series Conferences held
at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu, Category Manager for Beverages, Nestlé
Nigeria, Mr. Olutayo Olatunji said, “We are delighted that the MILO Secondary
Schools Basketball Championship is back after a break caused by the COVID-19
pandemic. At MILO, we believe that sports provide a platform to teach children
grit and help them imbibe values on their journey to success in life. This is why
we have been committed to the MILO Secondary Schools Basketball
Championship in Nigeria since 1999.”
“The MILO Secondary Schools Basketball Championship will continue to provide
the opportunities for developing qualities including leadership skills, ability to work
in a team, perseverance, courage, self-belief, and respect in these young ones
who participate.”
The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze who was
represented by Dr. Ochi Patrick, HOD Schools at the Enugu State Ministry of
Education said, “We are delighted to be the destination of choice for the
championship and to be able to provide a befitting facility and conducive
environment with adequate security for hosting these young talents.”
“I am particularly happy to see the students and the joy the championship has
brought to them, especially the winners. The participation of youth in events like
this helps to direct their minds to productive activities and away from vices.”
The Equatorial Conference was hosted at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium Enugu
from the 21st to 27
th of May 2022.
The Equatorial Conference comprises: Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and the host
state, Enugu. Others are Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo and Anambra.
The Winners in both the male and female categories will compete with winners
from the Savanna Conference, and the Central Conference, as well as the
upcoming Western Conference, in the national finals at the Indoor Sports Hall of
the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos from June 25 to July 01, 2022.
Over the last two decades, the Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship
has emphasized the importance of grit to teach schoolchildren vital life values
such as determination, tenacity, endurance, perseverance, teamwork and self-confidence.
The last Conference of the 22nd Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship
- Western Conferences – taking place at the Indoor Sports Hall of Lekan Salami
Stadium, Ibadan, will be concluded on Thursday June 3, 2022.
