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Dare Selflessly Turning Around Sporting Facilities

Published

3 years ago

July 8, 2022

By Joel Ajayi

Before the commencement of this Present administration, about 126 sports facilities cut across the country was nothing but an eye sores and nothing to write home about them.

But Appointment of the current sports Minister Mr. Sunday Dare by President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2019 to oversee the Sports Ministry apparently took cognizance of a Game-changer who had excelled as a Journalist, Academic, Political Strategist and Communications Technocrat.

Indeed, Dare changed the game. Although he combines overseeing the sports ministry with youth development, his ability to turn around the sports section has sold him across the world as one Nigerian administrator to look out for in the no-distant future.

One of the areas where he excelled was turnaround of many Moribund sporting facilities across the country which are now in good shape courtesy of ministry of youth and sports development under the leadership of hardworking young and Vibrant Sports Minister who has been in touch with the cooperate bodies, individual well-meaning Nigerians and other bodies to ensure private funding and commercialization of sports to make some of our sporting facilities working again.

This particular act is unprecedented in the history of sports in Nigeria, leading many to rest assured of more wholesome packages to come as soon as the sports policy is reinvigorated according to his plans.

The Sports Ministry under the leadership of Dare developed and implemented a Private Public Partnership model for sports, under the ‘Adopt an Athlete’ initiative about 20 athletes were adopted with some getting $10,000 and others $20,000.

Also, under this administration that the National stadium Abuja and Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Obafemi Awolowo stadium, Daura Township stadiums that were left moribund for years, came back to life. Dare got the private sector to begin work and as at last week, the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja back to life and 12 years of Abandonment.

Under the leadership of Sports Minister many of the stadium abandoned for over 18 years or more they are back, they might not be 100% but this is a points that, minister thrive where others failed.

Speaking, Minister expressed: “We raise almost over 550 dollars for our athletes, we raised over 2.5million dollars to fix our facilities from the private sector of course government brought in counterpart funding.

“We just believed it’s important for us to lay that foundation, we also get 2 year maintained for the stadium.”

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Featured

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

Published

6 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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