Basketball

Mango Foundation Launches 80-Player Basketball Camp To Empower Young Talent

Published

1 year ago

September 18, 2024

The Mango Foundation has announced the second edition of its highly anticipated 80-man basketball camp, set to take place from September 19-21, 2024. Aimed at empowering young basketball talent from across Nigeria, the camp will gather aspiring players from all 36 states, providing them with invaluable training and mentorship.

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, Yusuf O. Yakubu, the foundation’s founder and a former professional basketball player, highlighted the initiative’s significance.

“If we work together and invest in our youth, we won’t need to rely so heavily on overseas talent. We can cultivate a generation of homegrown players who are just as skilled, if not more so,” he stated.

Yakubu reflected on his own journey, emphasizing the role sports played in his life. “Growing up, sports were our outlet and our hope. They allowed us to dream beyond our circumstances,” he said.

He said his commitment to giving back stems from his personal experiences on the basketball court, which shaped his path to success.

He said the foundation’s initiative is particularly aimed at addressing the lack of resources for young athletes in Nigeria.

“We had talent but lacked the systems to nurture it. This camp aims to bridge that gap,” Yakubu explained.

He drew comparisons to the United States, where significant investments are made in grassroots sports to support young talent. He said his primary objectives is to provide mentorship and guidance.

“It’s about preparing these young players not just for the game, but for the academic and regulatory challenges they’ll face if they want to play at the next level,” he noted.

He emphasized that empowerment goes beyond basketball; it encompasses academic and life skills as well. Organizing the camp presents challenges, including securing sponsorship.

“Sponsorship is always a major issue, but I believe that with continued effort and support, we can overcome these hurdles,” he stated, expressing optimism about future collaborations and community involvement.

Yakubu called for broader community support, urging parents and families to engage actively.

“I want to see parents proudly watching their children. Your presence can make all the difference in their confidence and motivation,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of a supportive environment for young athletes.

He said the Mango Foundation aims to address systemic issues in Nigerian basketball, including favoritism and a lack of opportunity for talented players.

“Basketball should be a meritocracy—those with talent and work ethic should be given the chance to succeed,” Yakubu asserted.

He said he envisions a system where hard work is rewarded regardless of background.

Looking ahead, he said the foundation has ambitious goals, including securing scholarships for young players to study abroad.

“We want to provide opportunities for these kids to attend schools without the financial burdens that often hold them back,” Yakubu said, highlighting the potential for sports and education to work hand in hand.

As the camp approaches, he said he remains committed to fostering a sense of community. “Together, we can build a future where every child with a dream has the chance to achieve it,” he said, emphasizing the lasting impact of the initiative on Nigeria’s youth and basketball landscape.

He said with strong support from local communities our sponsors and stakeholders, the Mango Foundation’s basketball camp is poised to make a significant difference in the lives of young athletes across Nigeria, fostering a culture of growth, opportunity, and success.

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Basketball

RMAFC Reaffirms Commitment To Boost Revenue Generation From Mining Sector

Published

3 weeks ago

October 16, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

In line with its commitment to bridging the gap in the remittance of revenue generated from the mining sector into the Federation Account, the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission organised a sensitization workshop on the new template for data rendition in Enugu for the South East Zone on Thursday 16th October, 2025.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of the Commission Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu reaffirmed the commitment of RMAFC to bridging the gap in the data remittance of revenue generated from the sector into the Federation Account.

“It has been established that despite the extent of activities going on in the Country’s mining sector, it contributes only a negligible amount to the Federation Account, largely due to the lack of proper and effective monitoring of mining activities. Hence, it is the intention of the RMAFC to work assiduously in order to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation Account from the mining sector are promptly remitted into the Federation’s distribution pool account as at when due.” He said.

The Chairman who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing the Federal Capital Territory in the Commission, Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako stated that the new data rendition templates were designed to capture and manage relevant data with regards to specific measurement of quantity of minerals produced, producing companies and their locations, particular licenses, fees and permits paid by mining companies. According to him, if the data is properly managed and utilized, it will go a long way in ensuring that mining operations and revenues therefrom are effectively tracked and accounted for.

Dr. Shehu emphasized the imperativeness of the new data rendition template given the current economic difficulties the country is going through. He added that the perpetual over dependence on hydrocarbon sources of revenue, which is often plagued by the vagaries of the international oil market in addition to other reasons such as the problems of pipeline vandalism and oil theft underscores the determination of the President Bola Tinubu led administration to harness revenue potentials from other sectors of the country’s economy such as the solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing and the blue economy.

In his goodwill message, the Executive Governor of Enugu State His Excellency Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented at the occasion by the Honourable Commissioner of Energy and Mineral resources of the state, Honourable Franklin Ogbonna described the new template as a significant step towards building a reliable framework for revenue monitoring and proper resource allocation framework. He added that accurate data is the foundation of sound policy formulation and effective revenue management. ” It enables both the Federal and State Governments to assess real production figures, close leakages, and ensure that due revenues are remitted for the benefit of all Nigerians.” He said.

The governor further said that the initiative aligns perfectly with the drive to reposition the solid minerals sector as a key contributor to the internally generated revenue and economic diversification agenda of the state.

In his welcome address, the Federal Commissioner representing Enugu State in the Commission, Honourable Ozo Obodougo Obumneme stated that the exercise was primarily aimed at ensuring the existence of a platform for independent data source for the Commission which will be free of summation errors and could be used for comparison as advanced information for attribution purposes.

The Commissioner for Solid Minerals in Ebonyi State, Honourable Onyia Emmanuel, Honourable Commissioner of Petroleum and Mineral Resources in Abia State, Prof Joel Ogbonna, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government in Anambra State, Honourable Tony Nwabuno and the Permanent Secratary Ministry of Industry, Mines and Minerals in Imo State, Mrs Obialor Angela all praised the initiative in their goodwill messages.

The sensitisation exercise scheduled to be held in the six geopolitical zones of the country, which commenced on the 7th of October 2025 in Abuja, was followed by the one organised in Asaba Delta State for the South – South region on the 13th of October, 2025.

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