Governing Bodies
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC YOUTH ENGAGEMENT – AVENUE TO NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT — DARE
BY BLESSING LERE-ADAMS.
When youths are positively engaged with sustainable economic activities, this will not only ensure socio- economic progress, promotion of National cohesion, peace and stability but there will be huge reduction in incidences of crime and juvenile delinquency which are factors inimical to national developmental efforts – strategic positive youth engagement where attributes such as their energy, creativity, adaptability which are beneficial factors that have contributed to the growth and development of Nations globally will be sure avenues for Nigeria’s National development in no distant future.
These were the submission of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare at the closing ceremony of Youth Empowerment Program on Capacity building and Scale up on Sustainable Livelihood program in Tailoring and Fashion Design for unemployed youth at the National Youth Development Center Ode-Omu, Osun state. He said, the potential of youths if harnessed can transform development efforts positively.
Speaking further, Dare said to achieve President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to lift 100 million out of poverty in 10 years, the Ministry with its initiative of Youth Empowerment program which has been in operation since 2007 is increasing the number of trained youths annually.
In 2018, 84 youths across the Nation with FCT were trained, also in 2019 another set of 140 participants from the 36 states and the FCT have successfully completed the three weeks training with assisted start up grants. Among the Youth Centers used for these skill acquisition are the National Youth Development Center, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau state, Owode-Egba in Ogun State, Batagarawa in Katrina state and Ode-Omu in Osun state where the capacity of youths are being built in diversified Vocational and Agro Allied Skills for sustainable livelihood for job and wealth creation.
The potential of entrepreneurship to mitigate the problem of Youth unemployment cannot be overemphasized, as entrepreneurship is one of the viable solution of job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Minister commended the program where youths are being trained and equipped on entrepreneurship as a viable alternative means of employment and also being well skilled on the rudiments of how to start and manage their own businesses.
He encouraged the participates to use the opportunity with responsibility and good conduct, bearing in mind always the goal of the program, which is to empower not only themselves but also other youths in their communities.
Moreso for the social economic development of Nigeria. He reminded them that officials of the Ministry will monitor their progress periodically to guide and ensure compliance in line with the objectives of the programme.
Other dignitaries at the occasion were the Perm. Sec, Gabriel Tanimu Aduda who was represented by Mrs Omotade Olusola, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion, the coordinator of the program, Momoh Idris the Facilitator, Barr.Obu, the CEO of Next -to-None, stakeholders like SDG, the Academia, Directors of Youth and Sports from Osun state, member Nigeria Youth Parliament from south west and Community Leaders from the host community of Ode-Omu.
In her vote of thanks, a female participant from Rivers State, Okirigwe Megan appreciated the Federal Government and the Ministry, she however appealed for increased number of Youth participation with more enhanced start up grant.
It is note worthy to report that the CEO of next-to-none offered a one year scholarship free training award to Johnson Ayodele, an orphan who was the best and student of the year 2019,in line with the Minister’s Adopt Campaign.
The Awardee will also be given one free Industrial sewing machine. Barr. Obu also promised to support all Youth activities of the Ministry.
World football governing body, FIFA, today clocks its 122nd anniversary, celebrating more than a century of overseeing and expanding the global game.
Founded on May 21, 1904, in Paris, France, FIFA began with just seven member associations — France, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
From that modest beginning, the organisation has grown into the most influential sports governing body in the world, with 211 member associations spread across all continents.
Over the decades, FIFA has transformed football into a truly global phenomenon through competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Club World Cup, youth tournaments, and developmental programmes aimed at growing the game worldwide.
The organisation has also witnessed remarkable milestones, including the expansion of the men’s World Cup from 13 teams in 1930 to 48 teams beginning from the 2026 edition to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA’s journey has equally reflected football’s growing influence beyond sport, with the game becoming a major tool for diplomacy, social inclusion, youth empowerment, and economic development across the world.
As FIFA celebrates 122 years of existence, attention is now focused on the future of the game, technological innovations, expanded competitions, women’s football growth, and the continued globalisation of football.
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UEFA has issued a lifetime ban to Petr Vlachovsky, a Czech women’s soccer coach who secretly filmed his players, the governing body announced on Tuesday.
Czech media reported that the coach was convicted in May 2025 and initially received a suspended one-year prison sentence and a five-year domestic coaching ban for filming FC Slovacko’s players in changing rooms, the youngest of whom was 17.
In a statement, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) said it had decided to ban Vlachovsky “from exercising any football-related activity for life” following the appointment of an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to investigate allegations of potential misconduct.
“The CEDB further decided to request FIFA to extend the abovementioned ban on a worldwide level and to order the Football Association of the Czech Republic to revoke Mr Petr Vlachovsky’s coaching licence,” the statement added.
FC Slovacko did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.
Football players’ union FIFPRO welcomed the ban as well as UEFA’s request for world soccer governing body FIFA to impose an international ban on Vlachovsky.
“This outcome sends a strong and necessary message that abusive and inappropriate behaviour has no place in football and that safeguarding the well-being of players must remain a priority at every level of the game,” FIFPRO added in a statement.
Vlachovsky had also previously served as coach of the Czech women’s Under-19s team.
RELATED STORY: https://sportsvillagesquare.com/2026/04/08/outrage-as-male-coach-who-secretly-filmed-women-players-still-free-to-work-in-football/
-Reuters
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Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoff final after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on Tuesday.
Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton on aggregate in the semi, have been reinstated and will face Hull City on Saturday in what is dubbed the world’s richest soccer match.
Promotion to the Premier League, even with an immediate relegation, is estimated to be worth in the region of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons.
Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season.
They have also been deducted four points from the start of next season in England’s second tier.
“An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training,” the EFL said.
“Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match.
“The effect of today’s order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed.”
The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that “parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May.
“Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday’s fixture,” the statement said.
‘BORO CALLED FOR SOUTHAMPTON EXPULSION
Middlesbrough had called for Southampton’s expulsion after having a training session at their Rockliffe Park site filmed 48 hours ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.
The north-east club said they welcomed the decision.
“We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct,” the north Middlesbrough said in a statement.
“As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.”
Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter the playoffs.
The south-coast club are the first to fall foul of the Football League’s regulation 127 — brought in after Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby County seven years ago, an offence for which they were fined 200,000 pounds.
-Reuters
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