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AFN Releases Tentative Timetable For June 14 Elective Congress
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has released a tentative timetable for its June 14 Elective Congress, which it sent to World Athletics for approval.
The Extraordinary Congress will appoint and inaugurate a three-man Electoral Commission in accordance with article 7.2.1 of the 2017 AFN Constitution, which World Athletics has affirmed will be used to conduct the elections.
The appointment and inauguration of the Electoral Commission will kickstart the programme for the Elective Congress on Tuesday June 8, 2021 in Abuja.
The AFN Secretary General, Prince Adeniyi Adisa Beyioku says State Athletics Associations who constitute the 37-member congress have been notified and that the AFN has sought the approval of the timetable from World Athletics.
“This becomes necessary following the refusal of Mr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau’s to transmit a letter to the Secretary General to convene and prepare the programme for the extraordinary congress in accordance with articles 4, 6.1.4, 8.3.6 and 8.3.9 of the AFN constitution,’ says Beyioku.
The federation has reported Mr Gusau’s violations of several articles of the AFN constitution and the terms of agreement reached at the reconciliation meeting held in April by members of the executive board of the AFN with two top officials of the Confederation of African Athletics, CAA.
“Both the CAA and WA have affirmed that they only recognise the 2017 constitution which was adopted at the congress of the federation on November 16, 2017 with Mr Gusau presiding as the president of the federation,’ Beyioku further said.
Continuing, Beyioku revealed Mr Gusau has also been reported to WA for disregarding the world governing body’s letter to him that the 2017 AFN constitution is the official document that is recognised and which must be used to conduct the June 14 Elective Congress.
“We have forwarded the purported guidelines released by his Electoral Commission to WA and the communique issued after the disputed congress reportedly held on May 12, 2021 where the agreements reached at April’s reconciliation meeting were rejected including the 2017 constitution which both the CAA and WA insist must be used for the conduct of elections,” Beyioku said.
The WA had in a letter from its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jon Ridgeon and signed by Carolyn Launios, his executive assistant, categorically denied the purported amendments of the 2017 constitution reportedly carried out at a disputed congress in Awka in December 2019 and warned Mr Gusau it would exercise the powers conferred on it in the 2019 WA constitution if its instructions are ignored.
“To confirm, World Athletics position is that the 2017 AFN constitution applies. To be clear, World Athletics has never recognised and does not recognize the claimed 2019 constitution and so any election must be held in accordance with the 2017 constitution,” the letter read.
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FG Approves N110 Billion to Rejuvenate the National Youth Investment Fund
Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has approved N110 billion to revitalize the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), for the 2024 fiscal year to serve as a cornerstone for youth empowerment.
The Minister, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, disclosed this during the closing ceremony of the Ministry’s Management Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables with the theme: ‘Achieving the Eight Presidential Priorities and Deliverables’ in Abuja.
She said the fund is not just a financial reservoir but a catalyst for youth entrepreneurship and innovation aimed at bridging the gap between ambition and opportunity.
Dr Ibrahim further stated that this administration is committed to empowering every Nigerian youth through actionable policies and innovative programmes, under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which aligns with the renewed hope agenda.
“Federal Government has also approved the integration of Skills and Entrepreneurship Development into the NYIF programme, transitioning the NYIF Committee to an interim project management office, and investing N5 billion in the Youth Development Bank.” She added.
According to her, “the National Youth Development Bank (NEXTGEN BANK), a pioneering effort in partnership with the Bank of Industry and their private sector partners, represents a ground-breaking stride towards economic independence for our youth. With an initial take-off shareholder fund of N10 billion, this institution will be instrumental in nurturing young entrepreneurs and innovators who are the bedrock of our nation’s future.”
The Minister further explained that the Retail Development Financial Institution will be dedicated to providing financial solutions tailored specifically for young entrepreneurs, youth-backed ventures, and youth-sector enterprises, adding that with an initial capitalization of N10 billion, the bank is poised to be a pillar of support for youth-led enterprises, offering not just loans and equity but development, guidance, mentorship, and a network of resources. The Bank of Industry will be investing N2.5 billion and their private sector partners have committed to the balance of the N2.5 billion investment, and the bank will be private sector managed.
“The rehabilitation and transformation of Youth Development Centres across the country are set to commence immediately. These centres will be transformed into hubs of technical, digital, and creative skills training; bastions of social, political, and cultural engagement, amongst our youths; and sanctuaries for mental health and combatting the scourges of substance abuse and social decay. By investing in these centres, we are investing in safe spaces that foster the holistic development of the Nigerian youth”, she stated.
In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, the Ministry, all development partners and stakeholders for their unwavering commitment and unflinching support towards lifting the quality of life of Nigerian youth.
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