Featured

Published

6 years ago

October 11, 2019

A Non-governmental Organisation (NGO), Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has advocated for the removal of impediments from public procurement processing to enable women participate in contract bidding.

Miss Ifeoma Onyebuchi, Programme Director, PPDC, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Onyebuchi said that if the social cultural economic constraints that impeded women were removed particularly in procurement processing, it would have spillover effect not only on women’s financial capabilities but also in their political participation.

She said that a study was carried out through a project implemented in Kenya, Nigeria and Malawi which brought women together with the aim of fostering open government through women participation in public procurement.

“To this end, an in-depth review of existing laws, policies and government initiatives was undertaken to determine the gaps and make suggestions on best approaches to promote gender equity.

“Findings from the research indicated that women are often sidelined in the public procurement process.

“This is as a result of various factors ranging from lack of access to information, technology, cultural bias and lack of understanding of the contracting process,” Onyebuchi said.

She commended the Ekiti State government for its equal opportunity law of 2013 which gave 30 per cent appointive positions to women.

Onyebuchi advised Federal Government and the other states to take a cue from Ekiti State.

She further advocated for the reduction and waiver of tax rates on small businesses to help them thrive and bid for contracts.

Mrs Ndidi Okafor from the FCT Independent National Electoral Commission (FCT-INEC) lamented that the number of women participating in politics was decreasing.

Okafor said that in the 2019 elections, only a woman was elected as councillor in the six area councils of the FCT.

She said women should arm themselves with wisdom, education finance and technology so that they would be able to match the men thereby favourably competing with men in the polity.

Okafor also called for capacity building initiatives and programmes to empower informal sector women to form cooperatives.

She called on NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to educate women at the grassroots and dialogue with government to amend laws to apportion certain percentage to women in the contracting process.

Okafor urged government to assist with bidding for contracts and as well.

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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

7 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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