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Covid 19: Nigeria should be made, not marred- AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Boss

Published

6 years ago

March 27, 2020

Admin.

The world is gradually on lockdown to raging fire of a virus that is a
global pandemic,as Nigerians, let us once again prove our uniqueness as a people by
coming up with safe and productive solutions that can sustain us
beyond its reign and further elevate our status as a nation of global
relevance after it is confined into our past.

In a press statement signed by the Media Assistant to NC/CEO AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria Abolade Ogundimu on Friday in Abuja.

National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development/African Peer Review Mechanism( AUDA-NEPAD/APRM) Princess Gloria Akobundu, urged the general public in her solidarity message on the ongoing global phenomenon of Corona Virus Disease 2019, dubbed COVID-19.

According to Akobundu, the appeal become necessary so that Nigerians will continue to work alongside with governments in order
to ensure that, gradual lockdowns in the bid to stop the spread of
COVID-19 do not slide the nation into famine or redundancy.

“Without compromising any advice on social distancing and other safety
measures, let us come up with good and affordable alternatives to our
imported daily consumptions and supplements.

“The Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari
forthrightly, has been campaigning and supporting local productions
“that we should eat what we produce”, hence, its aggressive commitment
to food sufficiency through loans and other relief packages to farmers and players in other sectors of the economy,” she said.

Akobundu noted that FG’s policies on economic self-reliance before
COVID 19 outbreak were in tandem with AUDA programmes like
Comprehensive Agriculture Development Programme,CAADP; African
Medicines Regulatory Harmonization, AMRH; Agriculture and Food
Insecurity Risk Management (AFIRM), Fish Governance and Trade, Food
and Nutrition Security, Climate Smart Agriculture, Grow Africa among
others.

She also observed that in the bid to contain the spread within their
nations, COVID 19 has led to significant downward shift towards
Bilateral and multilateral relations, transportation of humans and
materials, leading to scarcity of drugs, disinfectants and protective
tools.

The National Coordinator therefore called on pharmacists and
technicians to strictly adhere to safety in their bid to stand in the
gap for the manufacturing of indigenous solutions to shortage of
disinfectants and protective tools.

“No better time for our local industries to thrive than now when all
borders(land, water and air) are shutdown to keep Corona Virus-19
(COVID-19) at bay, due to confirmation that almost all identified
cases have travel history traced to foreign countries.

“Despite our fledging status technology-wise, our agricultural produce are
highly good for consumption even as they are being processed with over
90 percent Indigenous Knowledge (IK).
“Let our pharmacists role up their sleeves and come up with safe
ideas that can end the virus and similar health challenges while
others invent technologies that are capable of increasing agricultural
yields and other products, without negative implication to health and
social wellbeing,” she added.

On daily increase of COVID 19 patients in the Country, Akobundu
called for vigilance and adherence to safety precautionary measures by
all and sundry, while wishing the patients God’s speed and positive
response to available treatments, saying the nation had been handling
the virus adequately.

The CEO concluded by reiterating the need for public maximum
cooperation with field officers and other stakeholders when the agency
begins Second Cycle Review of the Nation, saying their patriotic
advice were required by the Federal government to further develop the
nation.

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

Published

1 week 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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