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Acquire standard skills on desired vocation, AUDA-NEPAD Boss urges Nigerian youths

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6 years ago

July 15, 2019

National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development ( AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, has called on Nigeria’s workforce, especially the youths, to acquire and develop standard skills in any job they have the capacity and likeness to do most.

This was said in a statement signed by Abolade Ogundimu, Media assistant to AUDA-NEPAD boss on Monday in Abuja.

Akobundu added that it would help them live worthy lives and contribute better to the development and progress of the society.

It was in her message to the youths during the 2019 edition of World Youth Skills Day with theme ‘Learning to learn for life and work’.

She said ” July 15 is a day set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness on the huge gap between the workforce and skilful workforce, in the nations around the world, Africa in particular”.

According to AUDA-NEPAD boss, Nigeria, a nation of more than 190 million people, majority of whom are vibrant youths, full of energies, looking for jobs to do, but many are still regarded as unskilled job seekers despite the huge infrastructural deficit in various sectors of the economy.

“This is worrisome to government of the day, led by President Muhammadu Buhari(GCFR), corporate and private individuals, while AUDA-NEPAD is no exception to such concern “.

The National Coordinator noted that governments at all levels in the country had been working on how to improve the skills of their teeming workforce.

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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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