MKO Abiola Stadium swimming pool death of 13- year- old boy

• Ministry urges NYIF loan shortlisted applicants to respond promptly

THE Youth and Sports Development Ministry has shut down the swimming pool of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, following the death of a 13- yearold boy, Matthew Godwin, at the arena last week.

In a statement by its Director, Press and Public Relations, Manga Mohammed, the ministry said all activities within the pool area are suspended till further notice.

According to the statement, “the ministry has ordered a full scale investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident and the activities that led to it in a bid to forestall future recurrence.

“A delegation from the Ministry has since paid the family of the deceased a condolence visit.”

Meanwhile, the ministry has revealed that it is currently delivering a fresh round of disbursements of the Nigeria Youth In vestment Fund( NYIF) to youth beneficiaries, whose application have been successful.

It said, however, that Less than 14 per cent of the newly shortlisted applicants from the over 25,000 suc cessful

candidates, who are expected to be part of the loan, have responded to emails confirming their approval to receive the soft loan.

“Instructions on how to access the funds are contained in the email sent. The rate of response to the emails have been quite low. However, others who responded have received the funds into their PFI designated bank accounts.”

The ministry urged shortlisted candidates to respond to communication in order to conclude the disbursement process, adding that those who fail to respond risk forfeiting this opportunity.