Sports

Stakeholders commend Sunday Dare’s initiatives in Sports Sector

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2023

Joel Ajayi
Stakeholders in the sports industry have hosted the immediate past Sports and Youth Minister, Mr Sunday Dare in a reception in recognition of his successful stewardship as the Minister of Sports and Youth Development during the previous administration.

Speaking at the occasion held in Abuja yesterday, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that the reception was privately put together by stakeholders in the sports industry to appreciate Mr Dare for all the innovations he initiated that led to the transformation of the sports sector within the four years he spent in the Ministry.

He added that the reception was tagged “Celebration of Excellence” and is “the latest on the list of worthy recognitions Dare has enjoyed following what many have unarguably described as a successful and accomplished tenure as Sports and Youth Minister.”

The Permanent Secretary noted that within the period he served as Minister, the country was able to record about 254 Medals in addition to the various policy initiatives put in place to further drive the sector in line with global best practices. Alhaji Ismaila reiterated the need for stakeholders in the industry to come out enmass and support the various policy initiatives of the Federal Government, not only for the betterment of our teeming youth but also for the socio-economic development of the country.

He assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of the Federal Government in line with the Policy thrust of the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.

Also speaking,former Nigerian International Footballer, Chief Segun Odegbami, described Dare as a National Asset that deserves all the accolades he is getting, adding that this is the first time in all his years in the Sports arena that a Minister who left office is still being celebrated.

“By virtue of my position, I have worked closely with many past Sports Ministers so I know how difficult it is to survive as a Sports Minister in Nigeria but Dare proved everyone wrong with his style of leadership that resulted into many achievements”, he said .

Odegbami further stated, “I am particularly looking forward to the next assignment Dare will undertake because his wealth of experience and quality will be very valuable to the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

Earlier in his presentation at the event, a stakeholder in the Netball Industry, Dr Henry Nzekwu stated that the former Minister confronted the age-long challenges in the sector by taking bold steps and with the support of the former administration recorded unequalled podium performances in the country through its athletes in global sports in recent times.

While describing Dare as the most decorated Minister of Sports and Youth Development, he added that Nigeria is appreciative of his giant strides in sports , which has always been a very challenging sector.

Responding, the former Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare thanked all the stakeholders in the sports industry for their support and understanding and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular for the opportunity to serve in that capacity.

“We would not have achieved what we did without the support of the majority of the stakeholders, from the office of Mr President, the National Assembly, the Nigeria Olympic Committee ( NOC), the Sports Ministry itself and the various Sporting Federations”, he said.

Dignitaries at the ceremony include the President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports Senator Obinna Ogba, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation Dr Muhammad Sanusi, Chairman, Interim Management Committee, Nigeria Premier League, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Special Assistant to Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sports, Daniel Amokachi, Chief of Staff to the former Minister, Alhaji Abba Yola as well as a cross section of the media, among others

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Sports

FIFA MA Course: Gusau, FIFA instructors harp on hard work, integrity and fraternity

Published

11 hours ago

June 19, 2025

The Gleamer

The two-week FIFA Member Associations Course for physical and technical instructors, and Young Talents came to a close in Abuja on Thursday with FIFA Technical Instructor Ali Mohamed Ahmed publicly declaring his confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s budding arbiters to reach unprecedented heights in the vocation globally.

The physical and technical instructors’ course was activated between 9^th – 13^thJune, while the Young Talents programme lasted between Sunday, 15^th – Thursday, 19^th June 2025.

President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), who also doubles as President of WAFU B, told the young talents to endeavour to put all they have learnt during the course into practice, as the Federation is in the process of elevating more of the young talents to take on higher responsibilities, such as handling matches of the Nigeria Premier Football League.

“I am happy that now, we have a total of 86 young talents in our refereeing pool. This deeply gladdens my heart. Last year, we had 40 people undertake this course, and this year, we have 46. Let me reveal to you that 10 of those young talents from last year have been elevated to the NPFL, and none of them was found wanting throughout the season.

“Their record of performance gives great hope to yourselves, and also shows that the NFF is right in our commitment to the young talents. However, in order to keep improving, I charge you to always find ways to fraternize, collaborate in all aspects, and bond together to jointly and severally enhance your capacities.”

Mohamed, who is from Somalia, said: “I am very satisfied with the group that we worked with over the past one week – the young talents. Their level of assimilation is very high and I see them going places in the work of refereeing. Please always have integrity at the back of your mind in whatever you do.

“We know Nigeria is everywhere, qualifying for all major tournaments and winning trophies and putting up podium performances here and there. But it will also be good to have Nigerian referees not only in the AFCON but also at the FIFA World Cup. Having worked with these young ones for the past one week, I can tell you with assurance that the future of Nigerian refereeing is in very good hands.”

President of NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu thanked FIFA and the NFF for the success of the programme, and asserted that the growing confidence in Nigerian referees at home and abroad can be traced to the support that the referees continue to get from the NFF for their capacity-enhancing programmes, and the intentionality of the NFF President.

FIFA Fitness Instructor Boubaker Hanachi from Tunisia was also present at the closing ceremony, as well as Nigerian instructors Felicia Okwugba, Peter Edibe, Cecilia Ugbuji, Emmanuel Imiere, Stella Emoji and Promise Uwaeme.

There were also President of the NRA, Hon. Sani Zubairu; Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee, Madam Faith Irabor; deputy chairman Rafiu Umar Gusau; members of the committee, Kabiyesi James Odeniran, Calistus Chukwudi Chukwujekwu, Dr Bello Mohammed, Abraham Zakowi, Waziri Abba Gawe and secretary, Mohammed Ameenu; NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire and; Chairman of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso.

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