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Anambra FA Brouhaha: Nigeria On Standstill As Minister Of Sports Decides Today

Published

4 years ago

October 13, 2020

By Niyi Busari

Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare will have his integrity to protect when he comes out on Tuesday to say his verdict on the Anambra Football Association election brouhaha.

Anambra FA Electoral Committee had on August 2nd announced Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as the winner of the election which was conducted virtually.

A few days later, the Nigeria Football Federation annulled the election and set up the Caretaker Committee.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who comes out to speak about the Election for the first time since the victory of the August 2nd election had written to the ministry of sports to come and save Nigeria football and also stated that he has all it takes to nail NFF in the matter they have no jurisdiction about.

The minister invited both parties to a meeting in his stadium office to hear their views.

When the meeting commenced, Anambra State FA Chairman, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah painstakingly reeled out steps taken by the FA Electoral Committee in overseeing the election. This includes but not limited to getting a go-ahead approval from the National NCDC signed by its Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu. To buttress his point, he cited a letter where the NFF confirmed that setting up a Caretaker Committee is against the FIFA, CAF, NFF, and Katsina State FA statutes, the letter written by the NFF on 17th April 2019 with Ref No: NFF/GEN/385/1/14 Titled; Re: Dissolution of Katsina State Appointment of Caretaker Committee By Congress. On page 1, paragraph 2, reads in parts, “That FIFA, CAF, NFF, and Katsina state FA statutes do not contemplate or provide for Caretaker Committee.

Meanwhile, the same NFF turned back and set up a Caretaker Committee in Anambra FA Election.

When confronted with facts, the leader of the NFF delegation, Ibrahim Gusau who was caught in the web, first showed his lack of composure when he failed to present the NFF defense statement before the panel. He also failed to convince and defend the federation’s statute.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah also stated that the election is an internal matter and all internal mechanisms should be exhausted before NFF could be invited t come in.

NFF, however, in its defense relied on a complainant letter written by the former Secretary of the FA on August 3, a day after the state Election, stating that he is no longer the state FA. In its response letter to the former Secretary of Anambra State FA, NFF set up Caretaker Committee on the same day without recourse to the Electoral Committee and the state FA Board members. The action which contravenes its statute which is clearly in Article 18 Sub 2 of the NFF which clearly stated that “All affiliates are Independent to take any decision on any matter regarding their membership independently of any external body.”

After the 3 hours meeting, the minister of sports has chosen to give his verdict on the matter on Tuesday, 12th October 2020. The decision Nigerian is eagerly waiting for.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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