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The Team Manager, visiting Tanzania Team, Ahmed Maroko, says his boys lost
by 2-0 in the second leg of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match
due to their inability to read the game.
Maroko, in a post-match interview with newsmen, said that his team could not accurately read the game after the Eagles first goal.
According to him, my boys
played very well in the first half of the game, describing it as “a good game for the future” .
He said, “My boys played well, that’s football.
I think in the future we are going to get a good team.
“The boys need to be nurtured to have more experience.
”
Also, Yusuf Salisu, the U23 Eagles Coach, said the team’s attacking line was the weakest they have now, adding that they would develop the team gradually.
Salisu said that two players were brought out in the second half to boost the attack of the team, which later changed their mentality positively.
“This team was put together within a short period.
We stayed here for two weeks and played many games.
We played against Tanzania, we drew one and won one.
“It is all about building a team and that is achieved gradually.
The first half was not easy, because the weather is harsh on the boys.
“Our ball circulation was slow.
In the dressing room, we agreed to step-up the circulation in the second half.
I believe we will still develop this team,” he said.
Salisu described their experience in Ibadan as very great, saying “they enjoyed the love and hospitality extended to them by the good people of Ibadan.
”
Commenting, Success Makanjuola, the Team’s Captain, who scored the winning goal in the 68th minute of the game, said, “the game was won through unity among the players, discipline and submission to the instructions of our coach.
”
According to him, we went into the game with determination to play for the Coach and Nigeria, having been told how important the game was.
“In the first half, we made many crosses to put pressure on the visitor’s defence and we were a little jittery.
“The coach gave us some instructions which we followed to achieve victory,” he said.
Makanjuola said that it was a great burden carrying the captain band, adding, “it is a great task with much responsibilities”.
The captain, however, said that he had started enjoying the responsibility because of the good people around him.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Olympic Eagles scored the two goals through Oluwatumilehin Ogunniyi in the 62nd and Makanjuola in the 68th minute of the game.
NAN reports that Ogunniyi had opened the winning streak for the team through a free-kick, while Makanjuola had scored through a penalty kick taken after Ogunniyi was brought down in the 18-yard box.
NAN reports that among the dignitaries present at the stadium were Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, as well as other members of the state executive council.
Others present were: Mr Bolaji Ojo-Oba; Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General, Nigeria Supporters’ Club (NSC) and some ex-international, Ike Shorounmu; Mutiu Adepoju and Dimeji Lawal.
However, as a motivation for the under 23 Olympic Eagles Team to make Nigeria proud by defeating Tanzania, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, had donated cash gift N10 million to the Nigerian team ahead of the game.
Makinde, who had promised to be at the Lekan Salami Stadium, along with members of his cabinet, to cheer the players up, also promised additional 20,000 dollars (about N18 million) after their victory.
The governor had made the announcement of the cash gift on Friday night at a dinner hosted by the State Government for the team inside the Government House in Ibadan.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Federal Government says one of its broad objectives is the promotion of a strong and positive synergy between the public and private sector.
According to it, it is a critical component in the development phases of any society.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar said this in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry.
Abubakar said this at a one-day sensitisation workshop on the Impact of Public Private Partnership (PPP) engagement in the Nigerian public service in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that the relationship between the sectors was expected to enhance funding intervention and synergy in the realisation of the National Development Plans in general and youth development.
According to him, the synergy will help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Abubakar said that the minister, Mr Sunday Dare said the ministry would ensure it provided sustainable framework for the formulation and implementation of policies programmes and other initiatives.
He said that Dare assured them that the move would help promote and enhance youth and sports development in collaboration with relevant stakeholders in order to enhance national development, in line with the present administration’s objectives.
Abubakar said the ministry would create awareness on the need for the involvement of all stakeholders including individuals, units, sectors, departments among others, to achieve greater success in the areas of PPP.
“The active involvement of all stakeholders in this context, means sharing a common understanding of the processes and channels that can improve and enhance youth and sports activities in the ministry for the creation of a better society for all,” he said.
Abubakar said that the ministry, through the PPP, was putting a sustainable framework in place to guide the implementation of policies and programmes.
He called on the participants to use the opportunity given to them to leverage on the wealth of experience of the experts from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to achieve the objectives of the workshop.
In his speech, the Representative of the ICRC, Dr Amanze Okere, said that the commission would continue to ensure proper training of staff on the impact of PPP engagement in the public service according to its
mandate.
The ministry’s director, PPP Unit, Mrs Helen Anyakwo, thanked the organisers of the programme for their commitment to ensuring a positive PPP.
Anyakwo said that the programme enabled the ministry to actialise the National Development Plans in youth and sports sectors as well as realisation the SDG.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo lit the Torch of Unity on Tuesday in Abuja signalling the beginning of its movement for the 21st Edition of the National Sports Festival.
The festival is scheduled to hold in Asaba for Nov. 28 to Dec. 10.
Performing the exercise at an arena in the State House, Osinbajo said the Torch of Unity, which heralded the festival, symbolised peace and unity in Nigeria.
He said that the torch was also meant to create awareness about the festival amongst Nigerians and also the world at large.
The vice-president said the festival was a crucial activity in Nigeria’s sporting calendar as it had been the avenue to discover many outstanding talents that would go on to become world champions.
“Some of the great champions who we know today were actually discovered at various National Sports Festivals.
“They include the likes of Blessing Okagbare, a world medallist in the 200 meters Olympics and World Championship; and also the medallist in long jump at the Olympics.
“Chioma Ajunwa, notable for being the first Nigerian to win gold at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and the first Black woman to win an Olympic Gold in any field event.
“Of course, you also have Olusoji Fasugba who was the African record holder and gold medallist in the 100 meters event with the time of 9.85seconds.
“This was until Akanni Simbine beat that time in 2021 with a time of 9.84seconds; then, Lucy Ejike, a gold medallist and world record holder at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics through to 2021 in Tokyo.
“And Enifiok Udo Ubong, the only Nigerian to win two bronze medals in the 4 x 400 meters relay and also silver medal in long jump.
“Of course, the now legendary Toby Amusan, OON, the current World, Commonwealth, African Champion in the 100 meters hurdles; she is also the recorder holder in these three competitions,’’ Osinbajo added.
According to him, stakeholders are looking forward to even more successful hurl of great stars at 21st National Sports Festival.
He said that the nation was still basking in the euphoria of the outstanding performance of Team Nigeria at the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.
“We are committed to supporting the sports sector to sustain this height – the height that has already been attained.
“We realise that the overall goal of using sports as a tool for meaningfully engaging our young and also for uniting our country is a very sound objective.
“It is one that we intend to continue to pursue on a regular and daily basis,’’ the vice-president stressed.
Osinbajo commended the Minster of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare and the host Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, for their efforts at bringing the festival to fruition.
Earlier in his remarks, Dare said that the event was very significant in the history of sports development in Nigeria.
Dare recalled that the vice-president, at the same arena, received the Queen’s baton to signal Nigeria’s participation at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
“As we light the Torch of Unity at this venue for what is the flagship sports event in Nigeria, we refer to it as the Nigerian Olympics.
“It is from the sports festival that we hope to select our best and brightest to form Team Nigeria for the France 2024 Olympics.
“The torch is the Torch of Unity and over the years, it has united our country’s men and women.
Thirty-Six states and the FCT, 16,000 athletes, more than 28 different sports for age groups between 18 years and 25 years will participate at the National Sports festival.
“The torch is expected to move around the states and the FCT arriving in Asaba to be received by the governor,’’ he said.
The minister thanked the Federal Government for identifying with the festival and providing the support and the resources necessary over the years.
In his goodwill message, Gov. Okowa thanked the Federal Government, particularly the sports ministry for accepting that Delta should host the 21st National Sports Festival.
He said that the state was ready and was working very hard to ensure it provided the best in terms of organisation.
“We are also looking forward very keenly to other states competing with themselves excluding Delta.
“This is because we know we have already won, even ahead of time; but we will like to see other states competing with us,’’ he said.
The symbolic carrying of the torch was led by Mary Onyali, a former Nigerian sprinter.
The torch was afterwards handed over to the vice-president who returned it to the Minister of Sports.
A ceremonial mascot was also handed over to the vice-president by Gov. Okowa.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
FG urges youths to utilise sports facilities for self development
FG urges youth to utilise sports facilities for self development
Facilities
By Franca Ofili
Abuja, Oct., 21, 2020 Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has called on youths to take advantage of the sporting facilities provided at the grassroots to develop their budding talents.
Dare said this in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that such act would enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.
The minister made the call during the official commissioning of a 500 capacity mini stadium in Ode-Aremo, Oyo State.
According to him, the facility being commissioned comprises a football pitch, two block of public toilets, borehole with overhead tank and water reticulation as well as solar street lights.
He said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had in the last seven years, committed much resources into the rehabilitation of moribund sporting facilities as well as building of new ones across the country.
According to Dare, this is aimed at engaging the nation’s over 60 per cent youth population, to provide them with the opportunity to explore their sporting skills with a view to making themselves and the country proud.
“We have over 100 sporting facilities built by government across the country but because of lack of good maintenance culture, more than 85 per cent of them are completely bad.
” But now, we have seen the return of many of our stadia back to life,” he said.
The minister said the event was significant because of the drive and the passion behind it, noting that with the commitment of the present administration to sports development, the ministry had turned what used to be a dump site into a Metropolitan Community Sporting Arcade.
He charged the community leaders to ensure proper management of the stadium by engaging the services of capable facilty managers who would account for its management.
Earlier, the House of Rep Akeem Adeyemi, representing Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and West Constituency, thanked the present administration for providing capable leadership through the ministry in making the mini stadium.
He commended Dare and Buhari’s administration for their commitment to sports development through ensuring timely release of funds for the completion of the project, assuring that it would be immediately handed over to the community for use.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Minister Of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, has approved the exclusion of certain Para-Sports from the forthcoming National Sports Festival.
Dare gave the approval on Wednesday during a virtual Meeting attended by major stakeholders in the sports fraternity, including members of the National Sports Council.
According to him, the Para-Sports, excluded were the Para-Athletics, Para-Table Tennis and Para-Powerlifting.
Meanwhile, he confirmed that the Festival would hold as planned in Asaba, Delta, from Nov. 28 to Dec.10.
He disclosed that events like Netball, Teqball and Mixed Martial Arts would feature as demonstration sports while the inclusion of Cricket had been approved as scoring event.
Meanwhile the Minister has approved Nov. 3–5 for the Inspection of facilities and Joint Technical Meeting for the 21st National Sports Festival.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Alliance for Youth Nigeria empowering youths for sustainable dev.
Alliance for Youth Nigeria empowering youths for sustainable dev.
Analysis by Vivian Ihechu, News Agency of Nigeria
According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, youth employment and economic empowerment are essential components of a strong foundation in any society.
It says that while having decent work is crucial for young people and their future, it also has a domino effect on local communities, countries and the world as a whole.
While there is no universally agreed definition of the youth age group, the UN says for statistical purposes, however, “without prejudice to any other definitions made by Member States – defines ‘youth’ as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years.
”
As nations work toward achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aimed at ending poverty in all its forms, it has been identified that the active engagement of youths in sustainable development efforts is central to achieving sustainable, inclusive and stable societies by the target date.
This will help in averting the worst threats and challenges to sustainable development, including the impacts of climate change, unemployment, poverty, gender inequality, conflict and migration.
The call for youth empowerment is intensified considering the global economic challenges and the ravaging economic downturn biting hard on developing countries, especially African countries where Nigeria belongs.
In Nigeria, youth empowerment is hinged on the fact that more than half of the Nigerian population is made up of youths, with about 70 per cent of the population poor and more than 29.5 per cent unemployed.
Also, Nigeria is regarded as a youthful population with an average age of about 18 years, according to United Nations 2020 population projections.
This may not be totally a minus if harnessed properly, as a youthful population can have positive impact on a nation’s economy and where it is neglected, can have negative effect on all sectors of the economy.
Needless to say, Nigeria’s youthful population portends great economic potential, hence the clamours for public and private sectors’ interest in empowering the youth to achieve demographic dividends from the youth population for sustainable development.
For instance, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, emphasises the need to support the growing population of Nigerian youths in order to ensure that they do not become a liability in the future.
Osinbajo, while formally declaring open a forum in 2018, pointed out that taking into consideration the statistics that Nigeria was the most populous nation in Africa, with an estimated population of over 198 million, expected to double by 2050, it was important for the country to grow its economy to avoid a ‘population time bomb.
’
He said the Federal Government recognised the importance of investing in the growing economy and had, therefore, engaged many youths and graduates in its social intervention and empowerment scheme.
Lending support to building strong economic foundations for youths in Nigeria for sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria programme, aims to help 250,000 young Nigerians with the necessary skills to thrive in the world of work or create their own enterprise.
Launched in August 2021, the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, has members including Nestlé Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, The Big Bottling Company Ltd., the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, UConnect HR Ltd., and Sterling One Foundation.
L to R: Gabriel Jacob, Business Development Manager, U-Connect HR Limited Tumi Onamade, Senior Manager, Participant Engagement & Programs, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria Sunday Dare, Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC Love Idoko, Executive Director, Activate Success International
Partners include the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, signed on recently, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund and Activate Success International.
The member and partner organisations of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria, invest in joint and individual projects to give young Nigerians readiness-for-work training, entrepreneurship training, meaningful work experience, internships and mentoring opportunities.
As such, they contribute toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 – to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all by 2030.
Mr Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC, says, “youths are the future of our world and Nestlé is determined and committed to working with stakeholders and likeminded organisations to help young people develop their skills so they can find jobs or create their own businesses.
”
Commenting on behalf of the Alliance at a partnership sign up with the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Lawal says: “We are delighted to have the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development on board as a Partner of the Alliance for Youth Nigeria.
“At the inauguration of the Alliance in August 2021, we set for ourselves, the huge objective of reaching 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills within three years.
“We remain committed to working together to address the challenges of youth unemployment in the country and as we continue to expand partnerships and collaborations, we are assured that we are on the right track to the actualisation of our objectives.
”
Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, in his remarks says the onboarding of the ministry as a partner of the Alliance is significant and timely as government alone cannot address the huge challenge of youth unemployment.
“I commend the Alliance for choosing a different and unique path, making investments in young Nigerians and giving them opportunities to create wealth.
“It is imperative that Nigerian youths equip themselves with the necessary skills to give them an added advantage and enable them to become better positioned for decent work,” said Dare.
Commenting on the initiative, Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, says: “Our one-year anniversary is proof that advancing decent work for youths requires unprecedented levels of collaboration between key partners.
“The Alliance serves as a catalyst for reducing unemployment and promoting youth independence in order to increase labour and economic productivity in Nigeria.
”
(L – R) Ahmed Alaga, Program Manager, Jobberman Nigeria; Lanre Coleman, General Manager, U-Connect HR Limited; Tumi Onamade, Senior Manager, Participant Engagement & Programs, United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria; Shakiru Lawal, Country HR Manager, Nestlé Nigeria PLC and ‘Goke Olaleye, Marketing Manager, Big Bottling Company Limited.
On why the youth should be empowered, the NPC Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, says attention must be given to the economy and wellbeing of youths and women to achieve demographic dividend.
The Marketing Manager of The Big Bottling Company Ltd., ‘Goke Olaleye, says: “Investment in young people supports economic empowerment of the nation and the world at large.
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Looking at the gains of the Alliance so far, it has given employability and entrepreneurial trainings, internship and mentoring opportunities and job placements to no fewer than 11,000 young Nigerians within one year of its inauguration.
For instance, the Alliance, on the 2022 International Youth Day, announced the conclusion of a vocational skills training programme reaching no fewer than 350 young Nigerians in Lagos and Kano States.
The training, which covered four skillsets – Solar panel installation, Graphics Design (Designs, social media and web design), CCTV and Cable installation, and Beauty Care (make-up, aromatherapy and massage), was delivered in collaboration with Whitefield Foundation.
The vocational skills training is one of the projects of the Alliance designed in accordance with the Alliance’s objective of reaching 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them secure gainful employment or set up businesses of their own within three years.
Some of the projects delivered include Soft skills training, covering personal effectiveness and time management, effective communication, business etiquette, employability skills, emotional intelligence, for NYSC and fresh graduates in November 2021 reaching 590 persons.
On soft and employability skills training, covering critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and idea generation, developing the right mindset for the world of work, effective communication etc, in May and June, over 9,600 NYSC members in Lagos, Kano, Ogun and FCT orientation camps were reached.
Employability trainings for fresh graduates in April and June, covering career positioning, personal brand marketing, building winning resumes, developing interpersonal skills, developing an entrepreneurial mindset etc, were delivered, reaching over 610 youths.
Also, on vocational skills training, areas explored included solar panel installation, graphics design (designs, social media and web design), CCTV and Cable installation, and Beauty Care (make up, aromatherapy and massage), in Lagos and Kano States in August with over 350 youths reached.
In addition to trainings, some “high flyer” beneficiaries of the programme have been gifted start-up kits to ensure the immediate take-off of their businesses.
Items given included laptops, make-up tool kits and massage beds, complete toolboxes for installations among others.
Commending on the effort and investment of the Alliance in promoting economic opportunities for young Nigerians, the Special Assistant to Dare, Oluwakemi Areola, in a statement, said in the next 10 years, jobs would evolve from the traditional model.
“It is imperative that Nigerian youths equip and upskill themselves with the necessary skills (digital and vocational) to give them added advantage and keep them better positioned for the continuous benefit of decent work,” he said.
High flyers of the vocational skills training and recipients of start-up kits from the Alliance.
A beneficiary, Oluwakemi Olatunfe, who participated in the training in the Beauty category, commended the Alliance for providing the unique opportunity for the training and upskilling of young Nigerians.
In summary, with over 13.9 million youths unemployed and millions in unstable employment and underemployed in Nigeria, young people need the right skills and experience to help them in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
And the Alliance for Youth Nigeria has demonstrated its commitment to investment in young people for a better future.
The Alliance for Youth Nigeria is providing an environment of learning where young Nigerians acquire 21st century skills that will increase their chances of getting employed or becoming self-employed.
This is important as according to Innih Ikhide, Youth Engagement and Learning Manager, Jobberman Nigeria, the youth in every society have the potential to stimulate economic growth, social progress and national development.
In addition, the youth are the future of the nation and every investment towards their employability, engagement and empowerment is very critical for the society’s good and sustainable progress, says Mr Lanre Coleman, General Manager, U-Connect Human Resources Limited.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has urged youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by modern technology to acquire entrepreneurial skills.
Dare said this in a statement issued by Mohammed Manga, the director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry in Abuja.
Manga said the minister said this when the Secretary-General, Pan-African Youth Union (PAYU), Ahmed Wiisichong paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
“Nigerian youths need to take advantage of the opportunities provided by modern technology to acquire entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance and employability, in order to take the continent to the expected height,’’ Dare said.
He restated the Federal Government’s commitment to youth development in the country.
According to him, Nigeria has a huge number of youths close to 90 million and as such, government will continue to invest in them.
He said the investment was with a view to empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.
Dare recalled that the African Development Bank (AfDB) had put the number of Nigerian or African youths going into the job market yearly at about 12 to 13 million.
He said that some of the youths become entrepreneurs, some survive by dint of hard work, and some get recruited to be terrorists, while others get recruited into cybercrimes, among others.
Dare said that the present administration saw investment in its youth as critical and stressed the need for constant engagements by governments of the sub regions with the youth.
According to him, such investment will give the youth a voice in governance as partners in the development of the continent.
The minister said that the massive youth population was not a problem but a great resource to every government.
He assured them that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration would continue to create an enabling environment for its youth to explore their potential and compete favourably with their peers across the globe.
Dare called on relevant stakeholders and philanthropists to continue to invest in the youth to fast-track development of the continent.
Earlier, Wiisichong, said that they were in the country for a Youth Security Summit which brought together 250 delegates from different countries.
According to him, youth across the West African Sub-region are expected to take advantage of modern technology to enhance their skills and competencies to ensure inclusiveness in economic development and governance in their countries.
Wisiichong thanked the Nigerian government for their support that ensured the successful hosting of the Summit in the country.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Some Presidential Candidates in the upcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) elections have expressed optimism that the elective congress would still go on as scheduled on Friday in Benin.
A cross section of some presidential candidates spoke to newsmen after a crucial meeting with the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, on Tuesday in Abuja.
They noted that nothing had changed, adding that the election will still go ahead as scheduled on Sept. 30 in Benin, despite a court order on Sept. 15, putting the NFF Elections on hold.
Justice Inyang Ekwo in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the minister, Pinnick or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo.
This, he said, was pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Former NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi, said the meeting with the minister was just a heart-to-heart discussion about where they were as football administrators, government and as Nigerians.
“It wasn’t anything controversial, there wasn’t any issue that will make anyone of us frown.
“So, really there isn’t much to report unfortunately beyond the fact that we are all going back tonight to our various locations I guess to continue our hustle and campaign for votes.
“The issue of the court order has to do with the Electoral Committee and not with us.
“So, there’s no much we can do.
If the Electoral Committee says that this is what their interpretation of what was served on them means, that we can’t have elections, then we don’t, if it says we can, then we do.
“So, you don’t worry yourself over something you don’t have control over,” he said.
Idah Peterside and an ex-international expressed his gratitude to the minister for allaying the fears of all the presidential candidates.
“We want to thank the Minister because we all had our fears concerning the election.
“But, a whole lot of things have been cleared and we are all going to Edo, we are all going for the elections.
“You can see us happy and taking pictures with the minster.
Everything is in order.
“We really want to thank the minster as we had some reassurances that everything is in order and the government is taking care of it.
“We thank the minister for helping to calm all the nerves.
So we are all going ahead unless something else changes,” he said.
Mouktar Mohammed, Chairman, FCT Football Association, said that the meeting was a welcome development, adding that as stakeholders, the minister is the leader of sports in Nigeria.
“We obliged to the meeting as stakeholders and aspirants to have a dialogue because there are issues on ground.
“So, it was a very good meeting and everybody comes away with the feeling that government is guiding the process in the right direction,” he said.
Mohammed noted that there were certain decisions that he expects the Electoral Committee to take which had to do with advise from the security agencies as well as some investigations.
He said all the presidential candidates were well aware of the court order, adding that they are all law abiding citizens.
“There are still days to go and the court order could be vacated, but as law abiding citizens we will follow what the court says.
“So, it’s an ongoing discussion and there are no conclusions yet.
I am sure in the next few days we will hear more.
“Everybody is anxious and we hope at the end of the day there will be a credible process and everybody would accept the process and football will begin to grow and ensure everybody is on board,” he said.
On the 10-year masterplan, the chairman said he was a big fan of the document, adding that the country now have a document that will make the game grow.
“The Minister has done a good job with the masterplan and I have said that if I am elected I will work with government to ensure that it is implemented properly.
“I have always felt that the NFF has to be a partner of government and all other stakeholders.
“So I would love to see a resolution of all the issues from any stakeholder in the football family,” he said.
Christian Emeruwa, Head of Safety and Security Department, Confederation of Africa Football (CAF), on his part said the presentation of the 10-year plan by the minister to all the presidential aspirants was the highlight of the meeting for him.
“More importantly, the minister handed over the 10-year master plan to each of the contestants with the hope that whoever emerges as the president should be able to work with it.
“This is also what the Federal Government wants to see in football.
“So, I think it was a good meeting, as you can see everybody is happy and smiling and hopefully we are looking forward to the show,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Sports, Youth and Social Development, has urged tertiary institutions to review and update the curriculum for the training of physical health educators towards harnessing the entrepreneurial opportunities in sports.
The minister made the appeal during the 50th National Conference of National Association for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (NAPHER-SD) in Zaria.
The conference was titled “Business potentials and tapping in the profession of physical, health education recreation, sports and dance’’.
The minister said the draft National Sports Industry Policy developed by the ministry in collaboration with Nigeria Economic Summit Group has re-classified sports from recreation to business.
Dare, represented by Prof. Olawale Moronkola, the Director-General, National Institute for Sports, said the intent of the policy was to turn sport into a vehicle for empowerment, development and growth through sports industrialisation agenda.
He, therefore, described sports as a big-time business with many entrepreneurial opportunities to explore in the areas of selling and marketing of (products, rights and services) and running centres.
Other areas include sports media, sports equipment manufacturing, sport clubs and consultancy services, among others.
The minister, who restated the commitment of the government to provide an enabling environment, urged tertiary institutions to tailor their curriculum in line with new trends in the sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Rafiu Okuneye, the President NAPHER-SD, said the theme of the conference was a wake-up call; the association believed in and keyed into.
“Through this forum, the association would enhance the propagation further that sports is business, recreation is business and dance is business.
The time to identify and explore all business potentials in our profession is now,’’ he said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, said physical education was one of the disciplines with numerous job opportunities such as teaching, sports coaching, sports management and exercise science, among others.
Bala, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Prof. Danladi Ameh, said there was a need for a transparent and credible manner to engage the private sector to collaborate, ensure deliverables to the practitioners in the sector.
On his part, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, the Chairman of National Institute for Sports, also urged the association to redouble effort and work closely with state governments toward reviving sports in primary and secondary schools.
“We used to have Physical Education and later physical health education, but this component of education is almost gone in schools.
“Go to our primary and secondary schools you will not see facilities for physical education or physical health education classes.
“I think this association has a role to play in bringing this lost glory back in schools,’’ Galadima said.
He also tasked the association to have strong and vibrant state chapters with a view to promote sports and education to enable the younger generation come up with sound education and sports together.
He said the association in collaboration with its key stakeholders need to do more in promoting sports and education towards harnessing the business potentials in sports.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Federal Government on Thursday inducted four outstanding female athletes into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame.
Mrs Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs, disclosed this during the reception in honour of Nigerian female athletes in Abuja.
Those honoured are Tobi Amusan (World Record Holder 12.12 second 100 metres hurdles), Folashade Oluwafemiayo, (Gold medalists Women’s Heavyweight Champion, para powerlifti.
Others are Ese Brume (Olympic World Champion African Champion in Long Jump) and Blessing Oborududu (Olympic Silver medalist, Commonwealth Games Champion in wrestli.
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Tallen, while commending the athletes for their outstanding performance during the various international sporting competitions, said the induction was a way to immortalise Nigerian women’s achievements globally.
Also speaking, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, described Nigerian women as exceptional and talented.
“Whatever sphere they find themselves, Nigerian women are very committed, talented, determined and resilient in whatever they do.
“We are very proud of you all and didn’t expect anything less, the sky will be your limit as you continue to make us proud,” she said.
On his part, Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youths and Sport, while commending the athletes, said the President had approved a Presidential Award for Competitive Excellency (PACE)
Dare said, “the award was to recognise any athlete that represent Nigeria and achieve a remarkable level in sport.
“About 27 athletes will be the first recipients of the Presidential award to appreciate our great sports men and women,” he said.
He gave the assurance that the country place a lot of value on sports men and women and they would be rewarded and celebrated for showing up for the country.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
