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We’ll collaborate with Military,stakeholders on violence-free elections –AUDA-NEPAD Boss

Published

6 years ago

July 5, 2019

The National Co-ordinator/Chief Executive Officer [NC/CEO] African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, says that the agency will partner with the military and other security organisations in order to ensure violence- free elections in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed on Friday by Abolade Ogundimu, Media Assistant to the NC/C.E.O, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria.

Akobundu reiterated the commitment in a meeting with the leadership of Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), in her office.

According to the AUDA-NEPAD boss, the Collaboration is part of efforts to bring critical stakeholders in electoral process together at a summit and come up with National Action Plan (N.A.P) for adoption as a nation.

“AUDA/NEPAD being the agency overseeing African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) amomg other objectives also focuses on promoting political stability and this can be better achieved through the Summit.

AUDA-NEPAD/APRM went round to sensitise people across the country ahead of the 2019 general elections, monitored elections and recommendations were made to appropriate authorities.

“It is in furtherance to such efforts that we are proposing a summit for critical stakeholders to brainstorm on how the nation can become more peaceful especially before, during and after elections.

“We are mindful of the great roles of critical stakeholders in the election process especially the Nigerian, sister Services, security agencies at large ” she said.

Similarly, the Director, APRM Department, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Mrs Juweratu Olomoko added that the agency was working towards achieving the nation’s commitment to African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2020 which aims at `silencing the gun’ in the continent by the year 2020.

The date and venue of the summit will later be announced to the public after conclusion by the agency.

Major- General Garba Wahab (retired), Director- General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Abuja, in his response commended AUDA-NEPAD for its efforts to ensure that election across the country became violence- free exercise.

According to Wahab, if we can have peace and security in the system, development will be easier to achieve in the country, I commend AUDA-NEPAD for the wonderful idea.

While promising that the Centre would give adequate support to the agency on the summit and other activities, the D-G also urged AUDA-NEPAD to ensure that critical stakeholders sit together at the summit in order to come up with enduring recommendations for adoption.

Wahab, a former Chief of Army Administration led Brigadier-General E.A. Attu, Deputy Director,NARC Consult; Brigadier-General U.U. Bassey,Director, Human Resources Department,; and Brigadier-General M.A Ameh, Director, Quality Assurance, Collaboration and Linkages all from the Centre.

AUDA-NEPAD staff at the meeting include: Alhaji A.A. Ibrahim, Director- Project Research and Statistics; Mr. E.E. Abang, Director, Programme Development and Implementation among others.

AUDA-NEPAD (Nigeria) wants to use the summit to identify how the nation can achieve more synergy among the security agencies and better collaboration with civil populace not only during elections but at all times.

The agency hopes such synergy will further help Nigeria to attain her pride of place in the subregion and the world as a leading Democratic state.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

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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