Opinion

DESERVED HONOUR BE GIVEN TO THE MINISTER OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Published

3 months ago

August 13, 2024

Fely Mammah Nwokorie

Is the sack of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the best option now that the Olympics Games is still going with high hopes of our athelets determined to have our new National athem sang in France for proper representation of our country. The Hon. Minister Sen. John Owan has distinguished himself from other Sports Minister’s in a short time of his assumption of duty in the sector.

Is Favor Ofilli the worst misfortune that has been or faced in the ministry amidst other challenges that are gradually been addressed by the Minister? Is Favor Ofilli the only hope of the country in the on going Olympic Games. Should the mistake assumed to have been cursed by the NOC a reason to project the image of our proud country or presidency negatively in a disdain manner that is detrimental to the out side world. Are the games over or has the country lost confidence in other atheletes that also, have equal opportunities to represent the country in France.

The. Honourable Minister Senator John Owan Enoh, has remained the best significant personality in the sports sector in both presentation, sincerity of purpose, representation and administration; which the ministry has in a long while, recieved from the Federal Government without prejudice. Unlike the past Minister’s that would travel two weeks before the events and over stay their welcome after the events just to ensure thier retirement of unnecessary funds spending is accounted, for their selfish protection. Both the Honorable Minister and Permanent Secretary ensured that all logistics needed by the athelets, where readily available and their training tours funded before departing same time stipulated of the games. They associated themselves with the athletes to sort out their challenges which however, exposed the omission of Ofilli’s name from the 100m participants and they immedately queried the expensive ignorance of the NOC, AFN, and all responsible.

Sen. Enoh in less than two years in Sports Development has been able to turn sadness to joy in the lives of both the staff, stakeholders, able body and differently able athletes. There has not been a trace of much greed or self centerdness in him to attract the call of, Gara-Gombe’s prayer for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recall the personality he single handedly chose to effect changes in the sector where youths have hope for a better tomorrow as well as opportunity to challenge thier peers in the area or Success with regards to the ongoing world event. Gara-Gombe’s request should be considered both as the highest insult on the President of Nigeria and also, a challenge to the Presidents wisdom, to chose an accepted personality by the people to lead them.

A man with integrity auth to know that this is a very challenging period for the President of Nigeria and in his love for the country offer solidarity of peaceful solutions and sustainability and not enviously ask for the position that he does fit into. Gara-Gombe should as a matter of urgency be banned from his intererence in Press Correspondence dissemination of rightful information to the general public on sporting activities more especially on the on going events. His prayer for the removal of our distinguished Minister is both distraction to the President and athletes.

Sen Enoh’s record mean while, speaks volum of his change mission and vision in the ministry. For over 30 years of hopelessness in the country’s African Cup of Nation ( AFCON), Sen. John Enoh’s glorified grace, brought renewal and retuned hopefullness to sports fans. African Games held in Ghana this year placed the country on the top most medals table despite 54 African Countries meant to participate in the event.

Can any one courageously say that our athletes did not participate in any of their qualifying tournament in preparation for the on going tournament? The most expected from the minister was to ensure money was available for the events and timely. The country’s athelets participated in the opening ceremony with their speakable regalians and have their proper placement in the games village camp in France.
Should the Honorable minister take responsibility of what sports professionals, Technical Directors & NOC where expected to ensure before the games? Although sports fans feel the pain of Favour Ofilli but has any person looked spritually to forsee her convenant with the gods on this event or is she the only noted person chosen to represent the country in the on going event?

Olympic is a World event and the ministry ensured that Nigeria’s Flag fly among others above all, very notable. I agree with late Nelson Mandela that” Sports has the power to change the world” I also, agree with African American Olympic Gold Medalist Ron Freeman that” Nigerians are some of the smartest humans on the planet”. But who has called for a reward to the Honourable Minister since his short term in office with his quick understanding of the sector’s politics, technicalities and jambores of events. Is less than 2 years in the sector enough for him to be a professional or enough time to fix things right as expected. Sen. Enoh has remarkably, withdrawn all sports cases in court, recounciled stakeholders differences, paid outstanding allowances, funded most federations tournaments, querried monies not properly accounted, maintained trainings in all the departments and above all, have regular Town Hall meetings with his staff to enable him address their challenges where need be.

Suffix it to say that it is very uncredited to use the case of Favor Ofilli to launch a long reserved attack credible Minister that deserves loud ovation from Nigerians. Although the country has not gotten any Gold but likes of Tobi Amusu and the Para -lympians are been looked up to for dignifying medals. Our amiable Hon. Minister notified Nigerians when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released money for both the Olympic and Paralympics Events.
“For whom the gods want to kill, they first make mad”. And “For whom God wants to bless, He Blesses”.

Fely Mammah Nwokorie
Press Officer,
Ministry of Sports Dev.

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Opinion

Tinubu: Don’t Scrap Humanitarian Ministry, Appoint a Competent Leadership

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2024

The Gleamer

By MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi

The most current and widely circulated topic in Nigeria’s public domain is the purported cabinet reshuffling of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration. According to sources, the move is aimed at strengthening the mode of governance whereby some heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will be redeployed while others may even lose their positions.

Amidst this anticipated saga, one issue that caught the attention of citizens is the speculations surrounding the plan by President Tinubu to scrap the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. This ‘unconfirmed’ leaked information has raised concerns among various sectors of the populace, especially looking at the strategic roles played by the Ministry in uplifting the lives of Nigerians.

While the administration’s pursuit of efficiency and the fight against corruption is commendable, the decision to dissolve a ministry that addresses the welfare of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens would be a grave mistake and at the same time counterproductive.

Because, stakeholders, pundits and analysts believed that instead of abandoning the ministry, President Tinubu should consider reforming and reinvigorating it to serve as a powerful tool in improving the lives of millions of Nigerians thereby serving the purpose of its creation.

The Ministry which was established in 2019 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was designed to provide essential services to Nigeria’s most disadvantaged populations, including people with special needs, displaced persons, and those living in abject poverty. The ministry’s scope spans a wide range of humanitarian efforts, from managing social safety nets and alleviating poverty to responding to natural disasters and emergencies.

In a country with widespread poverty, high unemployment, and ongoing humanitarian crises, occasioned by insecurity and natural disasters such as flooding, the ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable Nigerians do not fall through the cracks.

Nigeria has a staggering population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to terrorism, banditry, and natural disasters. As of December 2023, Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported a total of 3,397,531 internally displaced persons (IDPs), 1,874,283 IDP returnees, and 209,552 refugee returnees living in more than 3,900 locations across 14 states in Nigeria.

Based on statistics, disbanding the ministry would lead to a vacuum in the delivery of humanitarian services, particularly to IDPs, people living with disabilities, and marginalized communities who depend on government interventions for survival.

Moreover, scrapping the ministry would erode the capacity to coordinate responses during disasters such as floods, pandemics, and other emergencies, leaving Nigeria less equipped to handle crises. The existence of a dedicated humanitarian ministry serves as an institutional framework that can effectively mobilize resources, both from within and outside the country, to manage these challenges.

No doubt, for the past years, the ministry has been marred by allegations of corruption and mismanagement, notably involving the immediate past minister, Sadiya Farouq, and more recently, the suspended minister, Dr. Betta Edu. However, corruption in the ministry should not justify its dissolution. Instead, it underscores the need for a stronger leadership structure—one based on transparency, accountability, and commitment to humanitarian ideals.

Therefore, President Tinubu’s administration, with its pledge to tackle corruption and restore public trust, should prioritize appointing an individual who embodies the values of integrity, dedication, and genuine concern for the plight of the underprivileged.

Only such a leader could transform the ministry into an efficient vehicle for poverty alleviation, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance, thereby restoring the confidence of Nigerians in the government’s commitment to their welfare.

It is an evident and undeniable fact that one of the most promising candidates for leading this transformation is Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the Chief Executive Officer of the QAT Foundation. Hajiya Tejuosho is widely known for her philanthropic work, and her dedication to serving Nigeria’s vulnerable populations is second to none.

Over the years, she has been using her resources through the Foundation to provide scholarships for underprivileged students, empower women and youths, and support people living with disabilities. Her hands-on experience in humanitarian service, along with her impeccable track record, makes her an ideal candidate to restore the ministry to its full potential.

Appointing Hajiya Halimat Tejuosho as the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation would not only ensure that the ministry continues to serve its vital role but also restore its lost glory. Her principles of inclusiveness and her deep commitment to providing relief and support to those in need resonate with the ministry’s core mission.

Hajiya Tejuosho’s work through the QAT Foundation has reached countless Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country, and her influence has been felt in urban and rural communities alike. Under her leadership, the ministry could shift from being seen as a corrupt and ineffective institution to one known for its compassion, transparency, and efficiency.

Moreover, beyond the direct impact on citizens’ lives, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs can serve as a strategic tool for the Tinubu administration to enhance its public image. By appointing a capable and compassionate leader like Halimat Tejuosho, President Tinubu would signal his administration’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. This would resonate well with the Nigerian public, especially in this time of economic hardship exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and other structural adjustments.

A well-functioning humanitarian ministry would provide immediate and tangible benefits to Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable, creating goodwill towards the administration. Social protection programs, like those handled by the ministry, can help alleviate poverty, reduce inequalities, and foster social stability.

It is evident that when citizens see their lives improve through government programs, it builds trust in the government and strengthens the social contract. In this sense, the ministry could play a key role in promoting and selling the image of President Tinubu as a leader who truly cares about the people.

Nevertheless, rather than dismantling the Ministry, the Tinubu administration should focus on its reform and rejuvenation. By placing the right leadership at the helm, particularly someone like Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, the ministry can be revitalized to serve its intended purpose. The focus should be on expanding social safety nets, improving disaster response mechanisms, and creating more opportunities for people living with disabilities, women, and youths.

In the broader context of national development, the ministry can help address Nigeria’s pressing socio-economic challenges. Poverty and inequality remain critical issues that demand focused government intervention. Effective humanitarian assistance and poverty alleviation efforts can mitigate the effects of these problems, contributing to national stability and growth.

Ultimately, the Tinubu administration has an opportunity to turn this moment of uncertainty into one of promise by re-envisioning the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs as a cornerstone of its social agenda.

Therefore, reforming the ministry by assigning a capable leadership, the Tinubu administration can leave a lasting legacy that reflects its commitment to building a fairer, more just society.

Believe me, appointing Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho would mark the beginning of that transformative journey, bringing new hope to the vulnerable populations that the ministry was designed to serve.

MUKHTAR Ya’u Madobi is a concerned citizen. He wrote from Kano via: ymukhtar944@gmail.com

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