Sports

Sports Minister Sets up Task Force on Commonwealth Youth Summit, African Region

Published

4 years ago

March 28, 2023

As part of efforts to ensure adequate preparation and successful hosting of the Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit, African Region 2023, the Honourable Minister ofSports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has inaugurated a Task Force ahead of the event.
The Honourable Minister who inaugurated the Task Force today in his office in Abuja said that the Summit is aimed at organizing a platform which will primarily target the youth as the main actors in the development agenda of the African Continent.
He stated that Nigeria’s acceptance to host the Summit was sequel to the request by the Commonwealth Youth Programme and Commonwealth Students Association (a coalition of Student organizations within the Commonwealth) to create a forum for insightful engagement, where youth and students can learn from global leaders in Multinational Public and Private Organisations, among others.
The Summit with the theme; ‘Co-Creating Our Common Future: Leadership in the Digital Age in Africa’, Dare explained, “cannot be more appropriate than now, as we live in a digital world. It will help to position the young people from across Africa to promote their impact in the regional youth event discourse and dialogues. It will also create a forum for insightful engagement, where youth and students can learn from global leaders in Multinationals, Public and Private Organisations, Development Institutions, and Civil Society Organisations” He observed that the present and future success of the Commonwealth, as well as upholding its values, lies with the unwavering commitments and contributions of the students. This, he said, “is large because the young people constitute more than half of Commonwealth’s population, which is estimated at 2.5 billion people”.
The Minister therefore charged the Task force to bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring a hitch-free and successful Summit, stressing further that *”as we are all aware, the time is very short, you cannot afford to fail to deliver*⁰
Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that Nigeria is glad to host the Summit as it provides a window of opportunities for the Youth to explore their talents.
He commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for accepting to host the Youth and Students Summit, Africa Region in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary therefore called on youth in the region to take advantage of the Summit to develop themselves so as to be employable, enterpreneurial with a view to contributing to the socio-economic development of not only Nigeria but also the African Region.
Responding on behalf of the Task Force, the Coordinator, Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit for African Region, Mr. Marwan Umar Gwamba thanked the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Top Management Staff of the Ministry and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular, for the privilege given them to serve in this capacity, assuring that they will work assiduously to ensure the success of the event.
The conference, which is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 8th-12th May 2023, is expected to host delegates from 21 African Countries, including the host country, Nigeria.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

9 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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