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Water FC Join Forces With Waldorf Knoll Academy To Develop Football Talents

Published

6 years ago

December 6, 2019

Water FC Join Forces With Waldorf Knoll Academy To Develop Football Talents

Joel Ajayi

Water Football Club of Abuja have joined forces with one of the best schools in the world Waldorf Knoll Academy a world-class sports and education school toward the development of talent in the country.

The partnership was sealed on Thursday in Abuja at the when the Waldorf Knoll Academy launched a world class Sports-Education school in Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria, the first educational center in Africa to facilitate education via the latest digital technology.

Water Football Academy which is run by a famous football administrator, Mr Makanjuola Nureni, is a renowned sports academy that has invested so much in grassroot sports development in Nigeria.

However, the academy have produced world-class stars like Micheal Babatunde, Emeka Chinonso who represented the country in 2014 World Cup and the U20 World Cup respectively. Also, one of the most recent revelations of Water FC is Success Makanjuola, who recently signed for the LaLiga side, CD Leganes. Which is a great stride for the football academy.

Speaking at the occassion, the CEO of Water FC Nureni Makanjuola who was full of joy expressed that the partnership is central to bringing about development to football and education respectively.

According to him, my vision is to let education and football go together and this school when they call me to be a partner to them. It gives me joy because with that my dream comes through

“It’s a big avenue for me that most of the people who want to play football can play and they can also be educated

“Also, why I want education and football to go together is that you have short period of time to play football but if you support it with education after playing football you can know how to manage your resources, to manage yourself for the rest of your life, therefore, it’s a great joy for me to partner with this school on education and football.

“Our own partnership is to develop young talents that are student here, to put them in the right part for development in football.

“The facility here is world-class facilities and I appreciate it.”

Makanjuola, therefore called on football lovers and lovers of good things to support him in growing grassroot sports in Nigeria as he believes that there are abundant of talented footballers in the country that can be raised to stars if given all the support needed.

Also, the event was graced by notable sports stakeholders such as Ex Super Eagles players, Ministers, National Assembly members, Permanent Secretaries and officials from various ministries.

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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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