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.
Governing Bodies
Sanusi set for record-extending tenure as Nigeria’s football politicians assemble in Asaba
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Speculations gathered ahead of the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation holding in Asaba on Friday have it that tenure elongation for the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, is a major item on the agenda.
Neither formal confirmation nor denial has been issued since one of the leading newspapers in Nigeria, ThisDay dropped the hint.
The agenda of the meeting is also not made public. Dr, Sanusi is the longest-serving General Secretary in history having been in office from 30 March 2015 making 3,476 days or nine years six months and four days.
It easily drowned that of his closest rival in tenure – Sani Toro whose tenure from 21 December 1993 to 3 May 1999 is merely 2020 days or five years, six months and 12 days.
Thus, no one had enjoyed a longer period in office than the incumbent, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. It is speculated that the tenure will be extended as NFF has reported that all delegates have arrived in the Delta State capital by Thursday evening.
The NFF Annual General Assembly, the first of which took place 90 years ago in Lagos on 19 February 1934, is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country.
In one such meeting on 24 July 2008 in Makurdi, the football body changed its name from NFA to NFF.
This year, according to a press release by the NFF, the plenary will have in attendance, the chairmen and secretaries of football associations in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, chairmen and secretaries of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nationwide League One, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the referees’ association, players’ union and coaches’ association. This group of 88 makes up the Congress.
They are joined by the members of the NFF Executive Committee and the management team as well as former NFF Presidents and General Secretaries.
The Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, is announced as the special guest. Nigeria’s Member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Melvin Pinnick is also expected as well as a representative of the West African Football Union (WAFU B).
The Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori will declare the General Assembly open.
Venue is the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House.
Governing Bodies
Like in Egypt, former Nigerian Olympian, Sadiq Abdulahi wants Tinubu to declare ‘State of Emergency’ in Sports
Former Nigerian tennis player and Olympian, Prof. Sadiq Abdulahi has called for drastic action to arrest the decline of Nigeria in global sporting events.
The former tennis player who is now a professor in the United States declared that the “failure to win a medal at the regular 2024 Paris Olympics, the few medals at the Paris Paralympic and the fallout at the National Youth Sports Festival has exposed the deep problems facing the sport’s sector.”
He wants Nigeria to have the same approach that the Egyptian president has taken while reacting to the country’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olypics.
Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered a comprehensive evaluation of sports federations that participated at the Paris Olympic Games, following a mission report submitted by the country’s sports minister.
According to Prof. Abdulahi, the National Sports Federations charged with the preparation of elite athletes have failed to do their job despite the cry for funding from the government.
“Federal Government cannot adequately fund all the Olympics sports. It is impossible.
“By declaring a state of emergency, new people, new approaches and new funding models will be identified. More importantly, the Federal Government will redefine grassroots sports development.
“We will lay sustainable foundation for sports development.”
Continuing, he called for the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) which enabling decree was abolished through Decree No. 7 of 1991, but came back through presidential proclamation under Sani Abacha before it was abolished again.
The original NSC was established in 1964 as National Sports Council before the promulgation of Decree 34 of 1971 which legalised it as the apex Federal Government agency to control, regulate and organize sports.
“The FG may now bring back the National Sports Commission or the National Sports Authority. Our emerging national economy with the full participation of the private sector can support this new beginning. I hope this helps.”
RELATED STORY: President Al-Sisi orders sports system overhaul
Governing Bodies
CAF gives Yoruba and Arabic interpretations of ‘OLA’ the Super Cup 2024 Official Match Ball
The Confédération African of Football, CAF, has given the linguistics interpretation of OLA, the confederation’s official match balls produced by Puma which has also unveiled a special edition for the Super Cup duel holding on Friday in Saudi Arabia.
According to CAF, OLA, symbolizing the dynamic and energetic nature of African football, means “wealth,” “honour,” and “respect” in Yoruba and “rise” and “success” in Arabic.
The OLA ball stands out with its vibrant design and cultural significance. “OLA”
The ball is a mix of black and gold, representing power and sophistication. The ball will be the centrepiece of the eagerly-awaited match between the two giants of African football.
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