Sports

Budget Defense: Work Hard To Deliver Tinubu’s Sports Restoration Mandate, House Committee Urges NSC, NFF. NIS

Published

5 months ago

January 14, 2025

The Gleamer

Budget Defense: Work Hard To Deliver Tinubu’s Sports Restoration Mandate, House Committee Urges NSC, NFF. NIS

…Commends President Tinubu, Assures National Assembly Support

Joel Ajayi

The Chairman House Committee on Sports, Honourable Kabiru Amadu has called on National Sports Commission, Nigeria Football Federation and National Institute of Sports to work hard towards achieving the President Ahmed Tinubu’s Sports for economy Renewed Hope mandate to grow Sports sector in the Country.

Amadu who is representing good of people of Gusau/Tsafe Federal constituency in Zamfara State, also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on increments of the 2025 budget for Sports from N29 billion in 2025 to over N94 billion.

Speaking on Teusday in Abuja at National Assembly Chamber during the budget defence of NSC, NFF and NIS Amadu call for optimal utilization of the allocations in year 2025 budget for growth of Sports.

He said: “The President of Federal Republic of Nigeria has tripled the budget of the sports from N29,082,369,979:00 in 2024 to N94,947,006,325:00 in 2025. The leap in the expenditure framework represent 227% increment.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for the giant strides in the budgetary allocations to the sports sector. It is our hope and belief that, the increment in budgetary allocation would mark a turning point in the development, administration and management of sports activities in Nigeria.”

Honourable Amadu added, “we envisage that the problems of decaying sports infrastructure across the country, especially the National stadiums, lack of funds for over forty federations, pack of sustainable development plans, lack of perequisite manpower, training needed to make the nation excel in sports would be tackled and justified with the increment.

He however, promised the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and National Sports Institute of the National Assembly support in making the funds released by the federal government for sports development.

“The House Committee on Sports is assuring the National Sports Commission, the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Institute of total support in making sure that the funds are accessed from the federal government with ease. Doing this, on our part leads to sports development particularly at the grassroots.”

“Let me reiterate that this Committee is statutorily saddled with the responsibilities of oversight of Sports activities and sports administraton amongst others.

“In furtherance of its statutory duties, we invited you to give account o 2024 Appropriation Act, as a prelude to the approval year 2025 but proposals.

“The essence of today’s budget defence, is in sync with the provisions of Section 88 & 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nige (as amended)

“It is also in accord with the avowed commitment of the Committee to ensure that, agencies under its purview perform their constitutional mandates in spheres of sports promotion, administration to the benefit of the greatest majority of Nigerians.

“You are assured of due diligence and constructive engagement in a bid to promote sports development to an enviable pedestal

“We are not only poised to ensure positive improvement in the sports sector but also put in place mechanism to realize our goals.

“I hereby implore you to justify the confidence reposed on you by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians by deploying your wealth of experience In ensuring optimal utilization of the allocations in year 2025 budget, when approved and passed by National Assembly.”

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Sports

No crisis in NAWIS ahead of AFN elections on Monday

Published

7 mins ago

June 8, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Association of Nigerian Women in Sports (NAWIS), known for its orderliness since its establishment in 1990, continues to uphold its standards ahead of the upcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) elections.

With members across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, NAWIS has consistently operated without external interference.

Over the years, its members have been nominated to various boards of national sports federations after meeting established criteria, including the payment of annual dues.

The association has attracted a strong base of respected sportswomen who have served the country with distinction, both during and after their active careers.

In preparation for the AFN elections, zonal elections were conducted on June 2 and 3, producing representatives for the national exercise.

While NAWIS initially planned to hold its election in Zaria, Kaduna State, the association’s headquarters, it was later rescheduled for Abuja on Monday, June 9, following directives from higher authorities.

Importantly, NAWIS has a set of strict guidelines that govern its electoral process, particularly the requirement for timely payment of annual dues. Failure to meet this condition results in automatic disqualification.

This guideline was the basis for the disqualification of Maria Wophil, who has reportedly not paid her annual dues since 2017. Her attempt to hurriedly settle outstanding debts just before the election was deemed non-compliant with NAWIS regulations.

Who is Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju?

Commonwealth gold medallist Fatima Yusuf-Olukoju is one of the leading contenders for the NAWIS representative position in the AFN.

She made history as the first African woman to run the 400m in under 50 seconds and brought glory to Nigeria by winning a silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Yusuf-Olukoju also claimed gold in the 400m at the 1991 All-Africa Games and silver in the 200m.

Based on nominations and her track record, Yusuf-Olukoju is considered the most qualified candidate. However, three other contenders have also shown interest, and the final decision will be made in the election slated for Monday, June 9, in Abuja.

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