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SWAN Hails Sports Minister Dare on Onyali’s appointment, relocation of office

Published

6 years ago

October 17, 2019

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has described as a milestone development the appointment of former African sprints queen Mary Onyali and the relocation of the office of Youths and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare to the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

The body, in a statement jointly signed by its president, Comrade Ahmed Aigbona, and Secretary General, Mr.Mike Oboh, in Abuja on Thursday, noted that Onyali’s appointment was akin to putting a square peg in a square hole.

SWAN also said it believes that the relocation to the stadium was a pointer that the Minister has the sincere interest of movin sports in the country to the next level in line with the aspirations of the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

“The minister within his short stay has proved that he has what it takes to move sports to its rightful place in the country,” the statement quoted Dare as saying.

SWAN, while congratulating Onyali, charged her to bring to the table her wealth of experience to impart on the policy formulation and implementation of creative ideas to change some of the negative narratives in sports development.

“Now that we have Onyali there as an aide to the minister, we can roll out our drums to give her the desired support. We can all attest to the fact that she has been involved in sports development since her retirement from the tracks, with various initiatives projected towards producing world stars for the country.

“Expectedly we believe she will be an asset in the drive of the minister to change the tide positively,” the association said.

On the planned rehabilitation of facilities in the various government-owned stadia across the country, SWAN urged the minister to match words with action as this has been one area the country has lagged behind in the development of the sector

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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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