Sports

Dare Receives Best Performing Minister Award

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2023

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare has been awarded the Best Performing Minister Award.

The Minister, Sunday Dare, received the award at the Nigeria Sports Governor Merit Award and Nigeria Philanthropist Merit Award held at the Shehu Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja on Wednesday.

Represented at the event, by his Special Assistant on Policy, Mr. Bamiduro Olumide, the Minister thanked the organisers of the Awards for the recognition given him.

According to him, “this award and the other awards I have received are some of the evidences of the commitment of the Buhari administration to the growth of the Youth and Sports sector.

“I am grateful for the opportunity given me to serve and make impact in the lives of our youth.”

Since his assumption of office in August 2019, Dare has introduced numerous programmes, initiatives and policies that have positively impacted the youth and sports sector in the country and led to successes in international competitions.

Other recipients of awards at the event include the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy Obaseki, the Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shuaibu, the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee(NOC), Engineer Habu Gumel, the Director General of the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), General Buba Marwa(retd), former Director General of the Nigeria Television Authority(NTA), Alhaji Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod, Sports philanthropist, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali among others.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

10 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

Share on Facebook