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FG is committed to Sports Development – Minister

Published

6 years ago

September 28, 2019

The sport of golf will be supported in Nigeria. These were the assurances by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development .

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare reiterated this Commitment on Saturday at the ceremonial Tee-off of the 59th Independence ceremony of the IBB International Golf Club in Abuja.

As the Grand Patron of the club, H.E President Muhammadu, represented by the Minister, Mr Dare performed the tee-off, and made this assertion at the IBB International Golf Course Abuja.

The Minister, in a goodwill message on behalf of the president, stated that the leadership of the country has progressed within these 59 years of Independence. Mr Dare said this current leadership is concerned with building structures for the development of the country and that the Administration is interested in sports development in a way that goes beyond sporting activities.

He said the Ministry has been collaborating and exploring ways to strengthen some of these supports. He also stressed that he is aware of that golf needs funding like other sports.

The Minister disclosed that he has a novel initiative that includes “adopt an athlete, adoption a sport, adopt a pitch for stadium upgrade, and adopt a sport centre” that are all geared towards encouraging private sector participation in sports.

The minister confirmed that he is already soliciting support from the Federal Capital territory FCT to also add the golf course under the ambit of its Ministry.

Earlier, the Captain of the Golf club, Mr. Shola Awoyungbo briefed the Minister on the effort the club has made to bring back the restore the glory of the golf course. He said they have adopted the Public, Private Partnership such that members of the public can have access to the course.

Speaking further, Mr. Shola gave a picture of the Golf club as having a natural environment that the United Nations (UN) has come to survey to ascertain the kind of animals that will be suitable for the environment, nevertheless ecological problem has remained the biggest challenge confronting the club.

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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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