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APRM Charges Youth Vanguard On Development Of Africa

Published

5 years ago

March 23, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Chief Executive Officer, Continental Secretariat African Peer Review Mechanism APRM Prof. Eddy Maloka has called on youth in Africa to be selfless, dedicated, exemplary leadership toward the development of Africa.

This even as the APRM launches youth vanguard unit in Nigeria to enable Nigerian Youths’ engagement with their Continental counterparts in the areas of Good Governance and Sustainable Development.

He stated this on Monday at the ongoing second review of APRM and official launching of Youth Vanguard unit in Nigeria urged them to be selfless, dedicated, and asks them to be exemplary leadership to their watchword.

Prof. Maloka said Africa must leverage on the potential and ingenuity of its youth for it to grow, saying Africa can’t grow without youth.

The launching had the theme “African Youth: The Hope of Good Governance” and the Pioneer Members were inspired with words of encouragement from the Continental and National Structures of APRM.

He commended Nigerian Youths for their determination to contribute their quota towards Continental development.

“We are happy to launch APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard because the Vanguards are the most dedicated, selfless exemplary Youths in the Continent.

“We look forward to collaboration between APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard and the APRM Youth Network to promote synergy and effectiveness among African Youths youth are the strength of nation, I want Africa to know that without youth continent may not grow.”

Maloka expressed he looked forward to their active participation in subsequent Continental Youth Programmes.

Speaking on the ongoing Second Review Process of Nigeria, the Continental Boss said “the Continent awaits the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) so that others can learn from things the country is doing well and its efforts in surmounting the challenges.

“APRM is not to shame any nation or beautify it, rather to see itself in the mirror, identify its growth and do the needful where necessary”.

Earlier in her address, Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, Chief Executive Officer, APRM Nigeria said the Youth Vanguard was borne out of several engagements between APRM Secretariat and the Youths across the Country.

Akobundu, who is also National Coordinator, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development ( AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria set the event on motion saying “The Youth Population in Nigeria is huge and cannot be neglected, that is why we have to bring them on a platform that can be used to compete positively and actively with their counterparts in the continent.

“The Youth Vanguard will be used to propagate mandates of APRM to the Youths in various sectors of the economy and at all levels of governance, especially at the grassroots.

“Through the Vanguard, we will further expose students in various levels of learning, from Universities to Secondary Schools in the country to `Good Governance and Development’ so that they will imbibe it and promote it wherever they go.

“That will help us achieve `Nigeria We Want’ and `Africa We Want’ as enshrined in African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030.

“Don’t forget they are the future leaders and by the time they become leaders they will be able to further promote core values of APRM- Good Governance and Positive Development.”

She mentioned various efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to give sense of belongings to Nigerian Youths, including signing into law `Not Too Young To Run’ Bill in 2018 which further widened the net for Youths participation in governance in the country.

Also, Member, National Governing Council (NGC) APRM Nigeria Dr. Louis Mandama, urged the Youths to embrace APRM Values so that they could be part of Nigeria’s efforts to berth `Africa We Want’.

On his remark, Leader of APRM Nigeria Youth Vanguard Ambassador Michael Chukwuemeka, said the Association would hit the ground running.

“We are ready to engage our peers at the urban and grassroots on the need to actively participate in good governance and strategic development of our country and the continent at large.

“Nigeria’s Youth Vanguard will surely add positive value to youth’s involvement in the realization of AU- Agenda 2063 ‘Africa We Want.”

The launching Coincided with visit by APRM Continental Support Mission Team’s visit to Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Monday.

Prof. Maloka led the Continental Team; Hon. Akobundu led the APRM Nigeria’s Secretariat while Dr. Mandama led the NGC Members.

Others on the visit to Villa include: Ejigayhu Tefera, Research Analyst, APRM Continental Secretariat; and Dr. Ugo Beke, Member, NGC, APRM Nigeria.

The Continental Mission came to discuss with APRM National Secretariat and NGC on CSAR and preparedness of Nigeria to receive the Country Review Mission (CRM), a mandatory visit to validate the CSAR in the APRM Process.

Mrs. Adefunke Adimula, Director, APRM Department,, her colleagues, Mssrs. Charles Ibezimako, Maxwell Zacheus, Abdulrashid Giwa and Muhammad Argungu of Planning, Research and Statistics(PRS); Programme Development and Implementation (PDI); Human Resources Management (HRM); and Accounts Departments respectively were on ground at the launching.

Other members of Management and staff of AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria,, and the Media were present at the launching.

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

Published

5 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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