Sports

FG Inaugurates National Sports As Business Policy Technical Committee

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a 10 man National Sports as Business Policy Technical Committee to draw up the details of the incentives that will be in the National Sports as Business Policy.

While inaugurating the Committee in his Office on Tuesday in Abuja , the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare stated that the first ever National Sports Industry Policy approved by the President in Council in November 2, 2022, is aimed at moving Sports in Nigeria from recreation to Business.

The Committee which is to be coordinated by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed was charged with the responsibility of working out the modalities for the successful transition of Sports from recreation to Business in the country.

According to him, “For over 3 years now, the Ministry has been at work reviewing past sports policies and also dealing with the weaknesses therein. The major weakness was that Sports was just categorized as recreation and service, it was not a business and therefore placed financial burden on the Federal government”.

He stated further that the Ministry has in line with global practice decided to look at Sports as Business to enable the Industry also contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.

“Looking at about 10 countries that dominate the world of global sports, the Ministry decided to look at Sports as Business, which if handled appropriately, can among others, contribute to the annual GDP of the country, provide employment for about 2 to 5 million youth, grants, other necessary supports as well as scholarships for athletes”, he stressed.

Dare who explained that investment, incentives and infrastructure are the three things that drive Sports as business, funded both by government and private sector, added that the policy is in line with the orientation of government which under the current National Development Plan 2021 to 2025 is based on 70% of funds from the private sector and 30% from government with rebate on tax.

Earlier in his Opening remarks, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar called on private individuals as well as stakeholders to key into the new policy with a view to taking sports to greater heights.

While commending the laudable innovations of the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, Alh. Ismaila Abubakar thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for granting approval to the Policy and called on the Committee to put in their best towards the success of the Policy.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Dr Ladan Haruna assured that the Committee will bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring the success of the Policy.

He commended the Honourable Minister, Mr Sunday Dare for the initiative, adding that if properly harnessed, it will boost the sports industry, thus impacting positively on every sector of the economy.

Members of the Technical Committee are: Dr Ladan Haruna, Mrs Chinedu Louisa Okeke, Dominic Akuboh, Mrs Tabitha Dagyol, and Dr Ikenna Nwosu. Others are, Amaechi Akawo, Bamiduro Olumide, Chasing Madumumere, Rep. of CBN, as well as Rep of Customs and Excise.

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Sports

FCT FA Chairman Mouktar Congratulates Muslims on Eid-ul-Adha Celebration

Published

6 hours ago

June 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi
The Chairman, Federal Capital Territory Football Association, (FCT FA), Alhaji Adam Mouktar Mohammed, the Abegyi Bwaya of Bwari Chiefdom is felicitating with Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on this year’s celebrations of Eid-ul-Adha.
He congratulates brothers and sisters in Islam on the occasion, describing it as a time to reflect on the goodness of Almighty Allah.
“I want to congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters on this beautiful celebration.”
“We should once again be reminded that, the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha is to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah SWT and his readiness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. At the very point of sacrifice, Allah SWT replaced Ismail with a ram, which was to be slaughtered in place of his son. This command from Allah SWT was a test of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness and commitment to obey his Lord’s command, without question. Therefore, Eid-ul-Adha means the festival of sacrifice.”
“This period and beyond we should be filled with acts of worship and good deeds. It is a time for gratitude to Almighty Allah for His countless mercies upon us as individuals and a nation.”
Mouktar is further charging Muslims and non-muslims to always pray and work towards the growth and development of Nigeria as we navigate the challenging time.

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