Charles Ogundiya 
N BA Africa and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), France’s public development institution have concluded its third season with a two-day event at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The thrilling sessions were held between Tuesday September 10 and Wednesday September 11 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Sports City.
The event featured a symposium on the programme’s core values and a physical education teachers’ workshop, focusing on mental health, hygiene, and gender equality.
“At AFD, we believe that sport is a powerful driver for change, fostering social and economic progress. Our participation in the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience reflects our dedication to investing in youth, skills development, and community empowerment,” AFD Country Director for Nigeria, Xavier Muron, said.
The event brought together notable attendees, including General Consul of France in Nigeria Laurent Favier, who highlighted the transformative power of sport saying that: “Over the past two years, with the financial support of the French Embassy, we’ve launched initiatives to promote inclusion through sport across Nigeria.
These efforts demonstrate sport’s ability to foster personal development, inclusion, unity, and health in all communities.”
For the Vice President and Head of NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, while emphasising the programme’s impact, she added that the the Jr. NBA & AFD Basketball Experience has been crucial in making basketball more accessible to Nigerian youth, focusing on mental health, hygiene, and gender equity.
Abudu also appreciated the AFD’s support while also looking forward to expanding the organisation’s youth development efforts in Nigeria.
Since its inception, the programme has reached over 40,000 youth from 54 schools in Lagos through basketball clinics and life-skills sessions, promoting social inclusion and inspiring secondary school children as change-makers in their communities.
