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CSAR Validation: AU delegation thumbs Nigeria’s Commitment To Self-Assessment

Published

4 years ago

July 4, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The African Union AU team on Country Review Mission (CRM) on the Peer Review process has described Nigeria’s self-assessment report of its second peer review as impressive, excellent and amazing.

The Head Panelist on AU CRM, Prof. Janneh Abdoulie, stated this on Friday in Abuja, at an interactive session with critical stakeholders, Civil Society Organisations as well as media organisations.

The assessment process is on the ongoing Peer Review of member states of the African Union Development Agency and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA/NEPAD), across the continent.

It will be recalled that AU CRM team arrived in Nigeria to further assess the country’s self-assessment record, following the approval of the reports by President Muhammadu Buhari for validation.

The APRM is an instrument voluntarily acceded to by AU member states as an African self-monitoring mechanism.

While briefing the newsmen, Abdoulie appreciated President Buhari for the approval given to Nigeria’s self-assessment record to go ahead with the peer review process in the country.

According to him, the review process in Nigeria is very professional, transparent, and impartial manner.

“It’s important that we do this and we just want to salute Nigeria for what we’ve seen so far, that the degree of inclusiveness has been very high, it’s an amazing process,” he said.

In her addressed, National Coordinator AUDA/NEPAD,Princess Gloria Akobundu thanked Nigerians and all stakeholders for their contributions to the successful outcome of the reports approved by the President.

She said: “The review will address economic challenges, good governance, food sufficiency, health challenge, security as well as political activities in Nigeria.

“We are here to inform you that the AU team is here in the country and also to inform you that we are set for validation exercise and this exercise will take us across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“So, we are happy to have you here today because there is no way we can carry out such exercise without the respected group of society, so you are important, ” she explained.

Also, Mr Austin Aigbe, Programme Officer, Centre for Democracy and Development, appealed to the AU team to urge the government to address the issue of youth restiveness in the country.

Aigbe expressed that, the government is doing well in the area of infrastructure, but not adequately paid attention to human development, which has resulted in violence and criminality by the youths across the country.

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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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