Opinion

DESERVED HONOUR BE GIVEN TO THE MINISTER OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Published

2 years 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

China-Africa Cooperation: Tackling Insecurity Through Development

Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman B. Dambazau (rtd), PhD, CFR, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the People’s Republic of China.

Published

5 days ago

November 9, 2026

The Gleamer

By Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman B. Dambazau (rtd), PhD, CFR

A farmer who cannot safely reach his land, a child whose school has closed because of violence, and a young graduate unable to find productive employment experience insecurity in different ways.

Their circumstances reveal a common challenge: lasting peace requires protection from violence and the opportunity to live with dignity. This connection should occupy a central place in China–Africa cooperation.

My experience in military leadership, internal security and diplomacy has reinforced my conviction that security operations must form part of a broader national effort. Armed forces and law enforcement agencies have indispensable responsibilities to protect communities, confront violent groups and uphold the law.

The gains they secure become durable when legitimate institutions, functioning services and economic opportunities take root.

Development is therefore a strategic component of security. Where communities can farm, trade, learn and obtain justice, they have stronger foundations for resisting the pressures that sustain violence.

Poverty does not automatically produce terrorism or criminality. Millions endure hardship without turning to violence. Insecurity also arises from political exclusion, contested resources, extremist ideologies, organised crime and institutional weakness. Nevertheless, prolonged deprivation and a lack of credible opportunities can create vulnerabilities that violent actors exploit.

Effective policy must address both those actors and the conditions that enable their influence.
China–Africa cooperation offers a framework for advancing this approach. The Forum on China–Africa Cooperation’s Beijing Action Plan for 2025–2027 brings peace and security into the same programme as industrialisation, agriculture, infrastructure, education, public health and green development. Its significance lies in the opportunity to connect these fields through practical implementation.

China’s development experience provides useful lessons. A joint study by the World Bank and Chinese institutions reported in 2022 that, over the preceding four decades, the number of people in China living below the international extreme-poverty line then in use had fallen by close to 800 million.

The study emphasised economic transformation alongside targeted poverty reduction measures. African countries can examine how agricultural productivity, infrastructure, education and employment expanded opportunity, while adapting relevant lessons to their own circumstances.

Africa’s countries have distinct histories, political systems and development priorities. Cooperation will achieve more when African governments define their needs clearly and negotiate partnerships that strengthen domestic capabilities. African ownership must guide project selection, implementation and assessment.

Agriculture should be an immediate priority. In communities affected by insecurity, restoring farming and rural commerce can support recovery and stability. Cooperation in irrigation, improved seeds, machinery, storage, processing and extension services can raise productivity and strengthen livelihoods. Investment should be accompanied by secure access to land, fair arrangements for managing water and grazing resources, and credible mechanisms for resolving disputes.

A processing facility has greater value when farmers can reach it safely, receive fair payment and access wider markets. Communities emerging from violence also need assistance that enables displaced families to return voluntarily, safely and with dignity, and rebuild sustainable livelihoods. Development planning and security planning must meet at this practical level.

Reliable electricity and productive industry are equally important. Power supply enables workshops, factories, health facilities and digital enterprises to function. Industrial cooperation should create opportunities for African workers, suppliers and entrepreneurs, with clear provisions for skills transfer and the maintenance of equipment and facilities.

Young people need realistic pathways from education to work. Technical training should connect to actual demand in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, logistics and technology. Programmes should be assessed by the capabilities and employment they produce. Partnerships between training institutions and employers can help ensure that qualifications lead to productive work.

Infrastructure must be judged by the economic activity and public services it enables. A railway, road or port can support national integration and trade, but its wider benefits depend on connections to local production and affordable access. Project planning must account for maintenance, environmental protection, community interests and financial sustainability. Financing arrangements should be transparent, with repayment obligations assessed against realistic economic returns and public resources.
Education and health deserve the same strategic attention.

Schools help communities recover continuity and hope after disruption. Accessible healthcare reduces household vulnerability and strengthens confidence in public institutions. Cooperation among universities, research centres, hospitals and technical colleges can build the expertise African countries need to sustain these services.

Women must participate fully in this work. Their livelihoods, access to services and involvement in local decision-making matter to household resilience and community recovery. Programmes designed without their participation risk overlooking essential needs and sources of knowledge.

Development cannot compensate for injustice. Communities require fair policing, accessible courts, accountable administration and protection from abuse. A school or clinic will contribute more to lasting stability where citizens also trust public institutions to treat them fairly. Economic investment and institutional reform should proceed together.

Security cooperation should reinforce these foundations. Professional training, peacekeeping capacity, maritime security, action against illicit arms and stronger responses to organised crime can help protect development gains.

Such cooperation should uphold national law, human rights and accountability. Its ultimate purpose must be the safety of people and the strengthening of legitimate institutions.
For Nigeria, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s September 2024 visit to China provides a framework for pursuing these objectives. It offers an opportunity to connect bilateral cooperation more closely with Nigeria’s priorities for economic transformation and national security.

The next task is disciplined implementation. Every major commitment should have an identified responsible institution, a financing arrangement, a timetable and measurable outcomes. Proposed projects, signed agreements, funds disbursed and completed investments represent different stages of progress. Public reporting should make those distinctions clear.

We should ask practical questions. Has an agricultural project improved farmers’ incomes? Has an industrial investment created sustainable employment and developed local suppliers? Has training transferred skills that institutions can retain? Have communities affected by conflict gained safer access to schools, healthcare and markets?

These questions should guide the assessment of cooperation. They also require African governments to fulfil their own responsibilities: coordinating institutions, protecting public resources, maintaining infrastructure and ensuring that investment benefits communities fairly. Regional cooperation is essential where trade routes, shared resources and security threats cross national borders.

China–Africa cooperation can contribute substantially to peace when development expands opportunity, institutions earn public trust and security agencies protect citizens effectively. Its lasting achievement should be visible in ordinary lives: farmers returning safely to their fields, young people securing worthwhile work and children remaining in school. These are the foundations on which a more secure Africa can be built.

_Abdulrahman B. Dambazau is a retired Lieutenant General, former Chief of Army Staff and former Minister of Interior. He is currently the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the People’s Republic of China. He writes from Beijing, China._

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