Featured

Eid el-Kabir: Faith in govt reforms’ll berth our dreamland— AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Boss

Published

6 years ago

August 10, 2019

Princess Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator, Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to rekindle their faith in the reform programmes of the Federal Government.

This is contained in a statement signed on Saturday in Abuja by Abolade Ogundimu,Media Assistant to National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer,
AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria.

Akobundu, whose office also oversees African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in the country, made the call on in her greetings to Muslims in Nigeria and the world ahead of Eid el-Kabir Celebration, coming up August 11.

According to the AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Boss, let us use the period of Eid el-Kabir Celebration to keep faith in government activities especially , in the areas of reforms and innovations so that we can have Nigeria of our patriotic dream.

“As a people, we need to keep faith in government by embracing and supporting noble ideas of the present administration so that we can further harness our huge human and natural resources to rank among world developed nations.
“The Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari has been coming up with various programmes and reforms to make this a reality for the present and unborn generations of Nigerians.

“It can be seen in many reforms and programmes, targeted at deepening democratic governance and socio-economic development of Nigeria, but the aims may be defeated if the people don’t have faith and key into the programmes.

“Among various deliberate efforts of the present government to further develop the country is the approval for transformation of NEPAD to AUDA-NEPAD, for better delivery on its mandates.

“Similarly, President Buhari recently approved Second Peer Review of the nation after the first Review was carried out in 2008, so that the report can be used to assess level of progress and hindrances in specific areas.

“The report is a voluntary self assessment instrument that will focus on Democracy and Political Governance; Socio-Economic Development; Economic Governance and Management and ; Corporate Governance.

“The assessment will be carried out by AUDA-NEPAD/APRM at grassroots level to know how the nation has faired in those areas,the report will submitted to APRM Continental Secretariat for validation and recommendations,” she said.

The National Coordinator commended Federal Government for putting measures in place for the success of the assessment.
“To achieve that goal, the President appointed reputable men and women from various sectors of the economy into the 15-man National Governing Council (NGC) of AUDA-NEPADA/APRM and the board has been inaugurated.

“The NGC chairman and other members have hit the ground running right from the day of their appointment which makes it clearer that success of the process is assured,” she said.

She also commended Nigeria’s Focal Point, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Federal Government (S.G.F) whose office supervises AUDA-NEPAD/APRM in the country, for his great supports to the agency.

It will be recalled that the agency’s mandates include: to coordinate and execute priority regional and continental projects in Nigeria; Promote regional integration towards the accelerated realisation of Agenda 2063.
AUDA-NEPAD/APRM also serves as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners (Public –Private partnership).

As AUDA-NEPAD/APRM scheduled its the launching of its reform for September, Akobundu urged relevant stakeholders and the general public to give maximum support to the agency.

Akobundu rejoiced with Muslim faithfuls in the country and the world especially, as they celebrate this year’s Eid el-Kabir, urging them to pray for the nation and maintain peace that would enhance greater development.

Share on Facebook

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.

Share on Facebook