AFFAN Donates Sports Equipment To GGSS Dutse

Published

6 years ago

January 17, 2020

…Set date for school championship

The Association of Former Female Athletes of Nigeria (AFFAN) on Thursday donated various sports equipment to Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja.

AFFAN, a non governmental organization also introduced an inter departmental sports competition to be organised by the group and scheduled to begin next week in the school.

Veteran handball player and President of AFFAN, Dr. Toyin Aluko encouraged the girls to participate in sports.

Aluko, who is also a retired sports administrator narrated how she was discovered as an athlete at a young age and reiterated the group’s intention to give back to the society.

“We have not had any group of people standing in the gap for girls. In the sport sector, there are different forms of abuse- sexual, mental, physical, verbal abuse.

“The girls don’t really have who to complain to. So, we are here to stand in the gap as a voice for female athletes in Nigeria.

“(As an athlete) I was discovered and mentored by people who are not related to me and by 16 years of age I was already representing Nigeria at international championships.

“The members of AFFAN have at one point or the other represented this country and we are here to mentor, ‘catch them Young’s and give back to the society,” Aluko said.

Hajia Rukayat Hussaini, principal of the school thank the association for donating the items while urging the students to make judicious use of them.

“We thank AFFAN for coming to our school and donating these sporting equipment to us.

“I hope that the program will bring lots of success to our students. I want to urge the students to work hard both in academics and sports and make judicious use of the items here.

“We know that the students will excel ‘since we lead and others follow’, the principal said.

Meanwhile a representative of the Secondary Education Board thanked the group and urged both students and teachers of the school to participate in sports.

However, the AFFAN mini sports competition is scheduled for Jan. 22 to Jan. 24 within the school premises with football, volleyball and basketball featuring in the event.

The other AFFAN members in attendance are Mr. Benjamin Obe, Group Captain Rahinatu Garba, Halima Benjamin, Cynthia Maurice and Tidah Gabriel.

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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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