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#100DaysinOffice: Senator Enoh’s Vision Propelling Nigeria’s Grassroots Sports Development
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In a bold stride toward reforming Nigeria’s sports landscape, Senator Owan Enoh has proven his mettle and capability to handle the Ministry of Sports Development, a ministry that attracts the eyes and criticisms of millions of Nigerians, owing to their passion for sports.
With 100 days passing since his appointment as Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, Senator Enoh has taken the enormous responsibility with vigor, vision, and vitality. The subsector of grassroots development, is an area that has always needed attention in Nigerian sports. How has Enoh performed in this regard after 100 days?
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering grassroots sports development in Nigeria, the Minister embarked on an ambitious agenda, swiftly garnering attention for its potential to transform the nation’s sports landscape.
From outlining strategic targets, to meeting stakeholders, to visiting grassroots locations, to wooing investors, to enacting action points, etc., Senator Enoh has shown his determination to catalyze a change in the system.
In one of his media statements during a visit to Ajegunle, a suburb in Lagos reknowned for sports talents, Senator Enoh outlined pivotal objectives of his ambitious drive, which showed a man with a vision. Nigeria boasts an abundance of raw sports potential at the grassroots level. It is our responsibility to harness and cultivate these talents by providing them with the requisite facilities, coaching, and opportunities for growth.
What approaches have the Minister Taken?
- Rejuvenating the Mission of the National Youth Games
While this may sound ordinary, it was important for an authority to restore default settings as to the purpose of the National Youth Games. The Games which was for young talents was becoming a “win-at-all-cost” championship, with states using over-aged athletes.
The Minister gave the marching order, reiterating the main focus of the Games will be to unearth young talents for the country, who would possibly take on the baton at the elite stage in a few years. He enforced an age cap of 15 years for the Games, with over 35 sports featured at the Games. He once was quoted as saying “The National Youth Games is for young athletes who are 15 years and under. It is at this level that we can find the next Victor Osimhen, heir apparent to Tobi Amusan, a protege for Funke Oshonaike and Aruna Quadri.” This action left stakeholders impressed at his determination to ensure the Games was still fit-for-purpose. - Schools Sports for Grassroots Talent Identification
A paramount focus lies in establishing talent identification programs across schools, communities, and rural areas. This initiative aims to cast a wide net, ensuring that no budding talent goes unnoticed.
Senator Enoh has not hidden his determination to return to the glory of the National School Sports Championship. During a radio engagement with Nigerians on Brila Media’s Sports Fans Parliament, the Minister stated that Nigeria’s journey towards sporting excellence hinges on the strategic provision of essential sports infrastructure and nurturing talents at the grassroots level. He added that a critical first step towards this noble goal involves a rejuvenation of the school sports system.
Nigeria has always wanted a Minister who will commit to the rejuvenation of school sports, given the enduring legacies the country has enjoyed from it. In his address, the Minister stated “school sports would come back. The ministry is going to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education, because they are going to be a necessary partner in this.” Of course, this left a smile on the face of many. He has followed up this statement with a visit to Nigerian breweries, a critical funding partner of school sports in years past.
- Coaching and Education:
Investing in the training and development of coaches is fundamental. In his first 100 days in office, Senator Enoh has emphasized the importance of nurturing skilled trainers who can effectively mold young athletes and instill in them a passion for sportsmanship and discipline.
While this is commendable, action will always be needed. He followed up with action when he wooed renowned sports innovations and education outfit, Barca Innovation Hub, owned by Spanish giants, FC Barcelona when he attended the World Football Summit. After initial contact, the hub expressed readiness to work with Nigeria. They are known for their expertise in coaching education, sports nutrition, sports analytics, sports business, science, as well as related technology and innovation. This will go a long way in enhancing the coaching and education profile of Nigerian coaches.
Nigeria’s delegation at the World Football Summit, led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh also had fruitful engagements with the Sri Lankan Government officials, who revealed their desire to offer technical support and education for the development of cricket and hockey in Nigeria. Sri Lanka has steadily ranked amongst top nations in cricket globally, since 1965, when it joined the International Cricket Council (ICC). The South-Asian nation were ICC World Cup champions in 1996 and emerged runners-up in 2007 and 2011. In the T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka were champions in 2014 and finished runners-up in 2009 and 2002. The nation sits in history as six-time champions of Asia, 2002 Asian Test winners and gold medalists in cricket during the 2014 Asian Games. These are definitely good times!
- Grassroots Competitions:
To provide a platform for showcasing emerging talent, Ministry sources have divulged that plans are underway to organize local and regional competitions. These events will not only foster healthy competition but also serve as a stage for scouts and talent spotters. In his first week in office, the Minister communicated with the presidents and leadership of all National Sports Federations to report for review and strategic repositioning meetings. He told all sports federations to organize multiple talent-unearthing events yearly, across the country. This move has the potential to galvanize the entire sports ecosystem. - Collaboration and Partnerships:
The Honourable Minister has been at the forefront of calling and building collaborations with various stakeholders, including sports federations, corporate entities, and NGOs, to amplify the impact of these initiatives and ensure sustained support for grassroots sports. What has been impressive about Enoh’s first 100 days in office is his constant reiteration of the private sector standing as the fulcrum of sports sponsorship.
In a move aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s sporting industry and ensuring the continued growth of various sports disciplines, Enoh paid a working visit to Nigerian Breweries Plc headquarters in Lagos in October, to discuss potential sports investment opportunities. The visit marks a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector to advance the nation’s sports landscape.
Senator Enoh’s unwavering determination and hands-on approach have garnered praise from within the sports community. Athletes, coaches, and administrators have expressed optimism about this first 100 days.
However, challenges are not far from the horizon, primarily concerning funding, logistical hurdles, and the need for seamless coordination among various administrative bodies. Nevertheless, Senator Enoh remains undeterred, emphasizing that the long-term benefits of investing in grassroots sports far outweigh the present challenges.
As Nigeria continues to anticipate more results that will emanate in the future, the nation stands united in support of Senator Owan Enoh’s vision, recognizing the pivotal role grassroots sports play in shaping the future of Nigerian sports.
With a resolute commitment to nurturing young talent and bolstering infrastructure at the foundational level of sports, Senator Enoh’s strategic approach is poised to chart a new trajectory for Nigerian athletics.
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How Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso Repositioning the Raw Materials Sector For Economic Diversification
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By Joel Ajayi
As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.
This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.
Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago.
This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.
The RMRDC, operating under the Federal
The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.
Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
Speaking this during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.
According to him, in the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.
“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations;
“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”
While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.
“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information. erships to drive our mission forward.
“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC) at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.
“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research [JORMAR] will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector.
“The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.
The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.
Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program.
“Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.
“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance
“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.
“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance
“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.
“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.
He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.
“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.
“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.
DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.
In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.
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