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FG Commends Enugu State Government For Promoting Sports Development

Published

12 months ago

November 11, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has commended the Enugu State Government under the stewardship of His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubusi Mbah, for its commitment to promoting sports development through the innovative and comprehensive upgrade and rebranding of sporting facilities in the state.

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, gave the commendation today in Enugu, the Enugu State Capital, shortly after the inspection tour of sporting facilities in the state.

He stated that the Federal Government was impressed with the commitment of the State Government, especially in the areas of grassroots sports, talent identification, and infrastructure upgrade as well as in its vision for sports as a profitable business venture because it tallies with the Federal Government’s vision for the sector.

Senator Owan Enoh stated further that his visit to the state was to enable him to have a one-on-one discussion with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah on how they can partner together to unlock the economic potentials of sports and to further visit the Ministry’s Zonal Office as well as inspect sporting facilities in the state so as to have first-hand knowledge of their current status in order to take definitive action on them.

The Minister who was led on the inspection tour of facilities by the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State, Lloyd Ekweremadu, noted that Enugu State deserves commendation from all sports-loving Nigerians, especially in their contributions to sports development.

He added that the state has a rich history with an international brand like the Rangers football club.

Senator Owan Enoh assured that the Ministry of Sports Development under his watch was ready to collaborate with the Enugu State Government to ensure that the sector wears a new face, a venture where interested businessmen and women can invest their money and make profits.

The vision of government at the Federal level Senator Owan Enoh said, is to also see sports as a sector that can create jobs, alleviate poverty in society, and contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and not just a mere recreation this further underscores the importance of our visit to the Zonal Office located in the State. We are charging our Zonal Coordinators to brace up and begin to work closely and assiduously with their state hosts and also ensure that sports activities are organized and well packaged right at the grassroots in order to attract private sector sponsorships he said.

Also speaking, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports in the State, Lloyd Ekweremadu commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration for endorsing the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the immediate past administration which classified sports as a business and not just a mere recreation, a vision he said, is in line with the focus of the Governor Mbah-led administration.

Mr Ekweremadu observed that sports is a critical business sector that if well thought out and properly harnessed, can translate the passion and energies in our youth, provide jobs for them, increase our GDP, and enable a safe and peaceful environment for Nigerians as well as boost the economy of our nation.

The Honourable Commissioner used the opportunity to appeal to the relevant stakeholders in the industry, corporate and private sector organizations as well as other sports-loving Nigerians to see and understand the new vision in sports and join hands with the Federal and Enugu State Governments in unlocking the economic potential of sports in Nigeria.

Facilities visited by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh after a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Enugu State Dr Peter Ndubusi Mbah at the Government House Enugu and the Ministry’s Zonal Office include Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Enugu, Administrative Office of Rangers Club, Rangers Club Hostel as well as Rangers Club Training Pitch.

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Olawande’s 21st Century Skills initiative, A Move Towards Re-fertilization Of Nigerian Youths

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Transforming the Nigeria youths to equip the current and future generations with 21st century skills is important. The Africa and National Youth Day 2024 is therefore a historic moment to put a need 21st century skills at the forefront toward the the growth and development of all.

Nigeria as a nation has made meaningful progress in education over the past 60 years, with more girls in school and more students in Higher education system than ever before.

Reports showed that School completion rates have increased from 2000 to 2022 at all levels.

Still, these gains are insufficient to prepare Nigerians youth for the 21st century and its fast-changing professional landscape. By 2030, roughly 60 million jobs iin Nigeria and 230 million in Africa will demand digital skills. Classroom practices must shift to meet these future employability needs and nurture creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Nigeria recorded the largest population of young people in the continent of Africa that means a 21st century skills is critical to to equip the current and future generations.

Based on this, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande who has been promoter and advocate of digital skiill even before he became Minister has once again initiate digital literacy programmes, technical skills empowerment and leadership insight and urged young people to actively develop and adopt crucial 21st-century skills to effectively combat the rising issue of unemployment.

When he was Minister Youth for State, he introducing the Youth Development Fund to support young entrepreneurs, implementing the Youth Empowerment Program, training over 10,000 young people in vocational skills, establishing the Youth Mentorship Initiative, pairing young people with experienced professionals, and developing the National Youth Policy, providing a framework for youth development.

He also initiated the “One Youth One Ward” initiative to tackle drug abuse, established the Youth Innovation Hub, hosted the National Youth Conference, rolled out the Youth Volunteer Program, fostered partnerships with private sector organizations amongst others.

He has implement innovative programs, foster strategic partnerships, and demonstrated unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Now Minister of Youth without doubt has been at the forefront of this journey, demonstrating unwavering dedication to empowering Nigerians youth even from his school days.

Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this appeal today in Abuja during the Africa and National Youth Day Celebration with the theme : ‘ Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century’ and sub-theme: ‘Building a Resilient Education System: A New Hope for Nigerian Youth’,

He said such skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and effective communications are essential tools for navigating the increasingly competitive job markets.

Olawande strongly advocated for the youth of Nigeria to prioritize the investment of their time and put efforts in developing a diverse range of essential skills and competencies by actively engaging in the pursuit that can significantly enhance their employability that will make them attractive candidates before their potential employers.

According to the Minister, “acquiring these skills will equip youth to confidently navigate the complexities and demands of an increasingly competitive job market, where adaptability and innovation are crucial. This proactive approach plays a vital role in addressing the rising unemployment crisis that has been affecting many young Nigerians today.”

“Through dedicated skill development, they can not only improve their job prospects but also lay the groundwork for sustainable career growth and success in the long run. In this rapidly evolving economic landscape, embracing continuous learning and professional development is not just beneficial; it is essential for achieving one’s career aspirations,” he explained.

The Minister further explained that the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” serves as a powerful endorsement of the One Youth Two Skills initiative, adding that it will foster practical skills alongside formal education.

Olawande stated : “This initiative aims to empower youth and create sustainable employment opportunities. Ultimately, the initiative is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to eliminate unemployment and promote economic growth across the continent”.

In his paper presentation, Professor Ahmed Adamu, a lecturer at Nile University, Abuja, stated that by next year, 85 million jobs will be lost due to technological advancements, while 97 million new jobs are expected to be created.

Professor Adamu stressed that the future job market will heavily favour those individuals who proactively seek to acquire new skills and adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

Adamu said that for one to go far in whatever they are doing, they must be self-disciplined, duly intelligent and have the consistency in learning.

However, the minister of Youth led the teaming youths on a road walk from the Ministry to BMO Event Centre to Celebrate Africa and National Youth Day.

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