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DALUNG INAUGURATES MOC FOR 20TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
The Main Organizing Committee for the 20th National Sports Festival in Edo State has been inaugurated.
The 19-man MOC has the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Mr Olusade Adesola as the Chairman and His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Edo State Mr Philip Shuaibu as Vice Chairman.
On the inauguration, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung charged the MOC to be committed and let history be repeated through a successful hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festival.
“I am entrusting this mandate in your custody believing that as we wind down, the transition process shall in no way affect the build-up and preparation for the next Festival.
“I challenge you to look at service to humanity and the future and bear in mind the development of this great country.
“It is also the responsibility of the MOC to educate Nigerians with advocacy, to appreciate the significance of the National Sports Festival and sports in National development. Sports has moved from recreation to big business. We must therefore use sports to promote peace and unity in Nigeria.
“You have been saddled with a National trust of over 200 million Nigerians and the MOC must deliver on this trust. Let us harmonize all our experiences . The success of this Festival lies on synergy, mutual respect and commitment. Wherever I am in 2020, I will come around to celebrate the success of your hard work,” Dalung said.
In his acceptance speech, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola thanked the Minister on behalf of the MOC for the opportunity to serve.
“With absolute gratitude to God and a very high sense of humility that I, on behalf of the members of the Main Organizing Committee of the 20th National Sports Festival Edo 2020, accept our appointment.
“The task is enormous and daunting but nevertheless not insurmountable. We appreciate the sacrifices involved and pledge to do our utmost best to deliver on the responsibilities assigned to us.
“Having come out successfully with the organisation and delivery of the 19th edition of the Festival, we are confident that with the hindsight of the experience acquired by majority of the members and the cooperation of the LOC and support of all stakeholders, the Games will be a huge success”.
Members of the MOC also include the Chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Presidents of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, Directors of Grassroots Sports Federation, Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Facilities and Stadia Management, Sports Medicine, Finance and Accounts, Press, Human Resources Management, National Institute for Sports, Planning, Monitoring and ICT, Director Sports Edo State, Ambassador Fanny Amun, Mr Simeon Oduyebo, Head, Legal Unit, Chairman, Committee Of States Directors of Sports, Representative of the Honorable Minister and the Permanent Secretary.
The MOC held its inaugural meeting immediately after its inauguration
Featured
Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
Joel Ajayi
Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.
More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.
The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.
Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.
The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.
Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.
Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.
Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.
Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.
The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.
Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.
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