Featured

FAME Foundation, AFD Sign Agreement on Sports for Girls Development

Published

4 years ago

July 15, 2021

FAME Foundation signed a Financial Agreement and Partnership of 20, 000 Euros with Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD), a French Government public utility office on July 14, 2021 in Abuja.

The grant will support the PLAY it DREAM it initiative of FAME that aims to use sports as a tool to achieve SDGs 3, 4, and 5 through 200 Internally Displaced Girls in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.

As part of the project, the girls will be provided with education on menstrual health and hygiene, regular sensitization workshop, support with sanitary towels, quality education advocacy, scholarship, empowerment, mentorship among others for the duration of one year.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Virginie Diaz Pedregal, Deputy Country Director of Agence Francaise de Developpement in Nigeria, said,

“AFD recently declared itself as a feminist organization and has been pushing since 2018 to promote the use of sport as a tool for education and social change. Supporting committed CSOs like the FAME Foundation was an evidence for us,”

“By the end of 2022, more than 200 girls ages 7-17 will benefit from the weekly sports activities and regular sensitization workshops (including supplying as much sanitary protection as possible). An additional 1,500 members of the girls’ community will benefit for the change of mindset initiated by the project.”

“In 13 years, AFD has become a recognized partner in Nigeria with activities in key service sectors such as energy, water, rural roads and urban transport. With nearly two billion euros committed, AFD support about 30 projects in the country.”

Victor Baysang-Michelin, AFD Project Officer, said that the AFD is proud to associate with FAME Foundation to tackle gender inequalities in the society.

“Gender Based Violence, is one of the prominent issues in Nigeria and the AFD is proud to partner with FAME Foundation to curb the gender issues in the society and the organization hopes that this grant will keep the good work going,” he said.

Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, stated that the PLAY it DREAM it Initiative which is currently ongoing, is using sport as a tool to tackle gender issues such as child marriages and lack of education amongst others in the society and also to mentor Internally Displaced Girls.

“Due to the heterogeneous nature of Nigeria, the only unifying factor is Sports, and this is why we are using sports as a social vehicle to drive gender issues in the society” she said.

She also assured that the funds will help actualise the Play it Dream it Initiative, aimed at developing the girl-child through sports, in line with Sustainable Development Goals.

“IDP camps were specifically targeted to give hope to the girls internally displaced as a result of insurgency and banditry activities in some parts of the country.

“We look forward to the year long project and happy for this great partnership with the French Government/AFD which is set to help actualize our dream for the girlchild in Nigeria, through sports.”

The project’s objective and goal seek to ensure that by the end of 2022, more than 200 girls aged 7 to 17 will benefit from the weekly sports activities and regular sensitization workshops on menstrual health and hygiene, rights of the girl child and the supply of sanitary pads to Internally Displaced Girls. An additional 1,500 members of the girls’ community will benefit for the change of mindset and orientation initiated by the project.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook