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COVID-19:NNPC Support FCT With 70 Bed Hospital

Published

5 years ago

May 15, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has joined the rest of well-meaning Organization to boost the fight against pandemic COVID-19 in the Federal Capital Territory FCT having agreed to donate 70 hospital located at Utako District of the City, currently under renovation when it completed.

This was made known on Friday, 15th of May, when the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello led a delegation from the FCTA on a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari at the Corporation’s Headquarters in Abuja.

FCT Minister, in his remarks also acknowledged and thanked the NNPC and the entire oil and gas industry for their support to the FCT in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He equally acknowledged the positive role the NNPC has played in the development of the city over the years and the Corporation’s plans to develop a world class medical facility in the Territory.

Towards meeting this objective, Malam Bello revealed that the Corporation has been allocated a piece of land at the proposed Abuja Medical City Development Project located at the Phase 2 development area of the city for the construction of the medical facility in conjunction with its partners in the oil and gas industry.

Malam Bello said that on completion, the medical facility will also serve as a development catalyst for the area just as the NNPC Towers has attracted development to the Abuja City Center after its construction over 20 years ago.

In the Minister’s words, “when reputable organisations like the NNPC and associations in the oil and gas industry set up a project, it will serve as a magnet that will attract other investments and we will all be the better for it”

He also revealed that an international financial multilateral organisation of which the Federal Government is a shareholder along with 26 other African countries has also been allocated a plot for the construction of a center of excellence for the provision of medical services also at the Abuja Medical City Development Project.

Speaking earlier, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Malm Mele Kyari who led the FCT delegation on a tour of the 70 bed hospital which includes 10 Intensive Care Units, commended the FCT Administration for its efforts in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in the Territory saying that the medical personnel of the FCTA, despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus always responded promptly and professionally whenever their services were required.

Malam Kyari also used the occasion to reveal that the NNPC had plans to construct a world class international convention center in the city saying that the existing ones were inadequate.

On the entourage of the FCT Minister were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Borno, the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin and other senior staff of the FCT Administration.

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

Published

6 days 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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