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Youth Ministry Charges Staff On Procurement Process

Published

3 years ago

April 27, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar has charged the staff of the Ministry to ensure full implementation of the procurement process in line with the Act.

Abubakar who gave the charge Wednesday in Abuja, when he declared open a One-day Procurement Workshop organized by the Procurement Department of his Ministry, stated that civil servants have the responsibility of ensuring the full implementation and execution of government policies, programmes and projects according to extant rules and regulations.

According to him, “the primary objective of setting up Public Procurement Act by the Federal Government was to among other things, drive the conduct of government business in a transparent and accountable manner and to further reduce cost as well as deliver works, goods and services for the betterment of the citizenry.

Alhaji Ismaila who commended the Department for organizing the Workshop, called on other relevant Departments in the Ministry to come up with positive initiatives that will help in building capacity of staff for efficient service delivery to Nigerians.

He assured that the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare is desirous of lifting the Ministry to a befitting status, in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration

To achieve this, the Permanent Secretary said, “Staff must ensure they work as a team for the effective realisation of these objectives”.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director, Procurement Department, Mr Segun Oke stated that since his assumption of office 18 months ago, he noticed the inadequacy of Procurement staff as well as low capacity of non-procurement staff in the understanding of laws and regulations governing procurement process as provided in the Public Procurement Act (2007) and Financial Regulations.

With the support of the top management of the Ministry, as well as other relevant Departments, Mr. Oke said, his Department was able to educate and change the orientation of some of these non-procurement staff through dialogue and personal interaction.

However the Director added, “the above scenario is not sustainable. Therefore, I believe there is need to build the system rather than personal interaction. It is on this note I sought the support and approval of the authorities to organize this one day workshop for some of the non-staff who have critical roles to play in the procurement process”.

Mr. Oke who stated further that the primary objective of Public Procurement is to deliver works, goods and services necessary to accomplish government missions in a timely, economically and efficient manner explained that, “to achieve these goals, all the Ministry’s staff that are involved in the procurement process need to be trained to be able to effectively carry out their responsibilities according to the extant rules”.

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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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