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NSF 2020:Stakeholders applauds FCTA For Timely Aproval of Fund

Published

6 years ago

January 17, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Major stakeholders in federal capital territory have heaped huge commendation on the FCT adminstration for timely approval of fund for the forthcoming national sports festival holding in Edo state.

The preparation for the games start with zonal elimination across the six geopolitical zone while FCT which is in the North Central will be travelling to Ilorin for their elimination series.

FCT has never had it so good when it comes to participating in national event with a case study of the last National Youth Games in Ilorin where the athletes have to go through harrowing experiences.

However, since the coming on board of Minister of State for FCT ,Ramatu Tijani and FCT sports department placed under her,she has made it a point of duty to ensure that sports men and women are properly taken care off with their entitlement paid as at when due .

Joel Ajayi ,Sports editor for AljaziraNigeria Newspaper and CEO of the Gleamer News said these are good times for sports men and women in FCT because they have minister who is a mother that understand the plight of children and has made it her prerogative to protect its people

On his own, Salifu Usman,who is the head of sports desk for leadership newspaper said he hopes this would not be a flash in the pan because this is what should be the standard if we are really serious about about sports development in FCT

The zonal elimination competition which will hold in Ilorin, Kwara state involves seven states from the North Central. The states includes; Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, FCT, Niger, Kogi and Benue.

The seven states will compete for the tickets in eight team sports; rugby, cricket, beach volleyball, football, basketball, handball, volleyball and hockey.

All the eight games involve men and women teams.

FCT finished 7th on the final table of the 2018 National Sports Festival held in Abuja with 21 gold, 9 silver and 24 bronze.

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

Published

7 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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