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NFF, Dons Task Super Falcons, Eaglets On Hard Work, Focus And Patriotism

Published

5 years ago

May 1, 2019

NFF, Dons Task Super Falcons, Eaglets On Hard Work, Focus And Patriotism

Joel Ajayi

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has charged the players of the Nigeria’s Super Falcons and the Golden Eaglet teams to imbibe the spirit of hard work, patriotism and nationalism whenever they are representing Nigeria in any competition outside the country.

The Super Falcon team is preparing for WAFU tournament and 2019 World Cup in France in June while Golden Eaglets qualified for the world cup in Brazil later this year.

He gave this charge at the seminar organized by the Federation, in Abuja, with the theme “Nationalism and Patriotism”

Sanusi said the players of two team should take the lessons from the seminar to their heart in order to be better players and better individuals going forward.

He lamented the behaviours of the Falcons players especially when they returned from Cameroon taking to the street protesting on the issue of Allowances and bonus: “As a player you need to put your country first in all you are doing. It’s painful that team came back from Cameroon and displayed some attitudes that is not good for the country, we don’t want th repeat of such that is why we felt that this seminar is apt.”

NFF scribes however, promised to ensure that all the bonus and entitlements of players are paid as at when due.

Also, the trio of University dons challenged players to make hard work, patriotism, focus, dedication and fearlessness their watchwords, while discountenancing all events and situations that could discourage them in their various national assignments.

Professor Florence Adeyanju of the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria urged the Falcons and the Eaglets to always take pride in being selected to represent a country of about 190 million people, and have no fear of any team whenever they get to the field of play.

“Success favours only the bold. You don’t have to fear any player or team when you get to the field of play. Remember the country you are representing and be psychologically motivated that you cannot lose, that you are a champion already. Be full of positive thinking all the time,” she added.

On her part, Dr. Odunola Bello of the University of Maiduguri spoke on nationalism and patriotism, underscoring the need for players and officials to note allegiance to the nation at all times and display sense of communal spirit, tolerance, dedication and discipline in all that they do.

Professor Mariam Suleiman, who is Head of Department of Health Education and Human Kinetics, Ahmadu Bello University spoke on career guidance, charging the players to think of life after football and plan well for same.

“You are active and agile now, but after you must have reached your peak, you would no longer be that agile. What will you do after football? You should endeavour to seek relevant qualifications in such areas that you have flair. You should develop yourself so that you can remain relevant after football.”

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How Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso Repositioning the Raw Materials Sector For Economic Diversification

Published

4 days ago

September 3, 2024

The Gleamer

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.

“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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