Featured

FG Commends Visionary Efforts of Duke Edinburgh’s International Award

Published

6 years ago

February 7, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has commended the visionary efforts and noble objectives of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award ( ‘the award’) to equip and impact the youths with the spirit of excellence and confidence that would enhance their capacity for creativity, leadership, skills acquisition thereby improving their employability and sustainable livelihoods. These core values are the pivotal pillars that formed the policies and initiatives recently launched by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to promote and build the capacity of Nigerian Youths for self-reliance, skills acquisition and internships in corporate organizations.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare stated this during the Gold Award Presentation Ceremony that was graced by HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO, today at the MKO National Stadium office of the Minister.

While assuring that the Gold Award presentation Ceremony celebrates the Nigerian youths that is resilient and focused, the Minister stated that indeed the 14 Nigerian Gold recipients ( male and female) under the auspices of its Nigerian chapter – The International Award for Young People Nigeria (IAYPN) with their testimonies have truly imbibed excellence and confidence in all their assigned tasks: saying ” positive qualities of Nigerian youths being further amplified by this award.

Mr Dare seized the opportunity of the occasion to explain that the noble goals and objective of the International Award strikes similar chords in the priority plan and deliberate aspirations of the Nigerian Government through the Ministry to equip and train our youths in digital skills acquisition through its Digital Education Entrepreneurship and Leadership mentoring programme called D.E.E.L. ; and its Work Experience Programme – W.E.P- that is meant to improve the employability of the youths via a 3 months internship in corporate organizations. To this end, the Minister commended ‘the award’ – which birthed its Nigerian Chapter for its vision of equipping young people aged between 14 to 24 for life with priceless values, that would benefit the society and for which the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development cherished as well as it implements its programmes for the youth.

On this note, the Minister stated that the Ministry aspires to partner with ‘the award’ to involve more Corpers: he said ‘ the Ministry will, going forward partner the award organizers to involve more Corpers in Nigeria, a good target for this programme; our youths need opportunities to build confidence, set goals and targets for themselves.

Speaking extempore, HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, who is the chairman, Board of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, commended the awardees, charging them to be proud of what they have achieved. He noted that these enviable youths are the pioneers of the award in Nigeria, stressing, the award operates in over 130 countries and territories , and it goes by different names. He commended the Nigerian Government and the Ministry for their support to ‘ the award’.

The Chairman of the International Award for Young People In Nigeria ( IAYPN), Mr Olawale Edun, congratulated the awardees for their achievements; and admonished the 14 awardees to be steadfast and maintain the noble ideals of the training they have acquired over time at different levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold covering diverse activities .

Aside the testimonies of some of the awardees which is the high point of the ceremony, eminent personalities that graced the occasion included the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mrs. Katrina Laing; Director- General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig.General Shaibu Ibrahim, Directors of the Ministry and guardians of the Gold recipients.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook