Opinion

From Grassroots to Greatness: Mouktar’s Support Drive for Rising Sports Stars

Published

6 months ago

April 16, 2025

By Joel Ajayi

In the world of sports, greatness often begins at the grassroots level. From local community leagues to school programs, grassroots sports development plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing young talent, shaping the future of athletics, and inspiring the next generation of champions.

At its core, grassroots sports development encompasses programs and initiatives designed to introduce young people to sports, provide them with opportunities for skill-building and competition, and foster a lifelong love for physical activity. These programs serve as fertile ground for talent discovery, allowing coaches and scouts to identify promising young athletes and provide them with the support and resources they need to excel.

Through participation in local leagues, tournaments, and talent identification camps, young athletes are given platforms to showcase their abilities and attract the attention of scouts and mentors. Additionally, grassroots programs expose youths to both mainstream and emerging sports, enabling them to explore various interests and passions—ultimately creating a more dynamic and inclusive sporting ecosystem.

This is the exact path championed by one man: Alhaji Mohammed Adam Mouktar, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association. While Mouktar has long been celebrated for his contributions to football, his recent efforts have extended into other sporting disciplines—most notably, Judo.

Thanks to Mouktar’s visionary leadership, numerous young footballers have been elevated from obscurity to prominence. His commitment to nurturing talent knows no bounds. Having already etched his name in gold in the world of football, Mouktar is now making an impact in Judo—further demonstrating his unwavering support for grassroots sports.

Over the weekend, Mouktar sponsored the just-concluded FCT Grassroots Junior Judo Championship—a tournament affiliated with the Nigeria Judo Federation and organized in collaboration with the Sports Department of the Youth and Sports Secretariat, FCT, and the Tichard Agbonifo Hand2Hand Foundation.

The championship drew over 200 young athletes from six North-Central states: FCT, Plateau, Niger, Kogi, Kwara, and Nasarawa.

During the event, Mouktar underscored the significance of grassroots development in uncovering hidden talent. “This event is more than just a competition,” he stated. “It is a celebration of discipline, respect, courage, and the limitless potential of our youth.”

He added, “Judo is a sport that instills discipline and builds character. It promotes unity and empowers young people to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams.”

“Our investment in grassroots sports like Judo is an investment in the future of Nigeria. I firmly believe that talent is everywhere—but it needs the right opportunities to shine. That’s why I am committed to supporting and sponsoring initiatives that give our young athletes the chance to grow, compete, and become champions—both on and off the mat.”

To the young Judokas, Mouktar offered words of encouragement: “This is your day. Show your skills, your heart, and your determination. Remember, every great champion started right where you are now.”

He also praised the efforts of the coaches, organizers, and parents: “Thank you for your dedication and hard work. You are shaping the next generation of strong, disciplined, and focused Nigerians. Let us continue to build a brighter future for Nigerian sports—starting at the grassroots.”

Joel Ajayi is the Sports Editor of AljazirahNigeria Newspaper and a member of the FCT Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

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Featured

No Need For Separate TIN To Operate Bank Accounts FIRS Official

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2025

The Gleamer

By Aderonke Atoyebi

In recent debates about Nigeria’s tax reforms, a widespread misconception has emerged: that citizens without a Tax Identification Number are unable to own or operate a bank account. This view, while popular in some quarters, is inaccurate.

The reality is that Nigeria’s tax system has evolved to integrate seamlessly with existing national registries, ensuring that every eligible individual or entity is automatically identifiable for tax purposes.

This article clarifies how the new framework works, drawing from the Federal Inland Revenue Service’s implementation of the National Taxpayer Directory under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025).

The Tax Identification Number is a 13-digit unique identifier for all taxable persons and entities in Nigeria. It encodes details such as issuance year, registry source (NIN for individuals, RC for corporates), state of registration, and a cryptographic fragment for security, concluding with a check digit.

The TIN is not a standalone requirement imposed on citizens. Instead, it is a statutory tool that ensures every taxpayer, whether an individual, a registered business, or an association, can be uniquely verified within the national tax system.

Tax ID and the National Identity Management Commission: For individuals, the TIN is automatically linked to their National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission.

When an individual provides their NIN, such as during bank account opening or Know Your Customer processes, the system cross-checks the NIN in the national database. As part of this verification, the TIN is automatically retrieved and attached to the person’s records.

This means citizens do not need to manually apply for or present a tax ID before opening a bank account. The system handles the integration in real time.

Tax ID and the Corporate Affairs Commission: For businesses, the TIN is tied directly to the RC Number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Likewise, for cooperatives, partnerships, professional bodies, and other legal entities, the TIN is connected to their respective recognised registries

This linkage ensures that corporate entities can be transparently identified for both tax and compliance purposes. Just as with individuals, banks and regulators do not require extra documentation beyond the foundational registry numbers to confirm tax status.

Exploring the benefits of a tax ID: Seamless Banking Access: Individuals and businesses can open and operate bank accounts using their NIN or RC Number, with the TIN automatically integrated behind the scenes.

Fraud reduction: The system eliminates duplicate or false identities by ensuring every taxpayer is tied to a verifiable registry.

Regulatory compliance: Banks and financial institutions can rely on a single, consent-driven source of truth for onboarding, reporting, and KYC compliance.

Inclusivity: Beyond companies, the framework extends coverage to associations, professional bodies, and trustees

Global compatibility: Nigeria’s tax system can securely interact with international systems for trade, finance, and compliance.

The misconception that Nigerians cannot own or operate a bank account without a tax ID overlooks the integrated design of the new TIN system. By linking TINs to existing foundational identifiers such as the NIN and RC Number, the system ensures automatic compliance without creating unnecessary barriers for citizens.

In practice, this means a Nigerian walking into a bank with their NIN is already tax compliant. The bank simply retrieves its TIN as part of its onboarding process. Far from being a hurdle, the TIN framework is a gateway to financial inclusion, regulatory transparency, and global interoperability in Nigeria’s evolving digital economy.

Aderonke Atoyebi is the technical assistant on broadcast media to the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

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