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CSP Yakubu Plans Big For Kickboxing in Nigeria

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2021

Outlines developmental programmes
By Akeem Busari
The outgoing Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Kickboxing Federation of Nigeria (KBFN), CSP Abubakar Yakubu, has outlined his plans to take martial arts, particularly, kickboxing to greater heights.

In a chat with journalists in Lagos, the police officer, while restating his desire to be reelected as president of KBFN, was quick to reel out his achievements.

Yakubu gleefully recall how his administration ensured that kickboxing was restored into the National Sports Festival after it was suspended in 2012.

During his tenure, KBFN held the National Kickboxing championship in Yenagoa, in 2018, including the National Championship and Referees Seminar in Asaba, 2021.

KBFN also participated in African Kickboxing in Cameroon, 2018; World Championships, Turkey in 2019. Importantly, it also achieved recognition as Olympic sport.

Moving forward, the former versatile athlete and awards-winning administrator, hinged his reelection ambition on his articulated developmental plans to take the sport to greater heights and make it better accepted.

Yakubu promised to lead KBFN to successfully host the next African championship in Nigeria having reached agreement with the African body.

He revealed that Nigeria currently ranks as first and second in the sport in West Africa and Africa, respectively. And it is a part of his plans to make kickboxing the best in Africa.

There are plans to also make kickboxing a household sport in Nigeria through youth programs in secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as, the introduction of diverse disciplines, especially, Tatami (points fighting) which will particularly appeal to a broad spectrum of interests.

Conclusively, there are plans to create a standardized pathway for amateur athletes to turn professional. And make KBFN financially self-reliant and able to cater for the welfare of athletes and officials for the betterment of the sport in Nigeria.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 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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