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54 African Olympic Presidents To Grace Commission of ANOCA Secretariat In Abuja

Published

6 years ago

November 9, 2019

54 African Olympic Presidents To Grace Commission ANOCA Secretariat In Abuja

…As Sports Minister reel out benefits

Joel Ajayi

No fewer than, 54 African Olympic Presidents across the continent are expected to grace ocasion of commissioning of the newly built Secretariat of Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa ANOCA in the Capital City of Nigeria.

This even as International Olympic Committee IOC President, Thomas Bach is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Monday for the official commissioning of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa

Disclosing this, on Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare said the visit is a clear sign that Nigeria is well respected in the international sports circle and Nigeria has put in place adequate preparation to formally welcome the IOC President.

Commissioning ceremony slated for November 14th after which IOC President will visit the Villa to see the President Mohammadu Buhari and thereafter take a tour of the Moshood Kashimawo Abiola Stadium to see the country’s sporting facilities.

He said the ANOCA headquarters was moved to Nigeria from Cameroon in 2006 and he was glad that the government has put up a befitting secretariat.

Mr. Dare said if the IOC President had visited Nigeria before now, the country would not have lost the bid to host the 2022 World Youth Olympics to Senegal but pledged that the hosting right will be supported because it came to Africa for the first time.

While reeling out the benefits, Minister said; “It is with great pleasure that I make bold to say that the building will be commissioned for the use of the African people and the development of Sports in Africa.

“The visit of the IOC President to Nigeria to specifically commission the Secretariat is a clear indication of the commitment of the present Administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensuring the development of Sports in Africa as a whole and Nigeria in particular. It is further a testament to that our return to greater transparency in sports administration is engendering trust in Nigeria’s capacity to implement international best practices.“

He said Nigeria will continue to commend the IOC for creating the platform for training her coaches, administrators, and athletes.

Also speaking on the visit, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee NOC, Engineer, Habu Gumel said Nigeria stands to benefit from the visit.

Gumel gave some of the benefits as the scholarships and training grants to be enjoyed by the Team Nigeria athletes, the rapport with the leaders and the showcase of the country’s facilities which will enhance the chances of being picked as host of one of the IOC programmes.

“We are ready, and as from Monday we are expecting not less than 54 Africans Olympic Presidents.” Gumel disclosed.

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

Published

1 week 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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