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FG Prioritizes Youth Investment

Published

5 years ago

November 3, 2020

The Federal Government on Sunday celebrated the maiden edition of the National Youth Day for which November 1 of every year has been set aside with strong assertions that investment in the youth of the country is now a priority.

The event, which held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, with the theme: “Invest in the Youth, Secure Our Future” flagged off a bouquet of youth-oriented initiatives being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, which has the mandate for youth development.

The Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare told the gathering that the theme of the event “resonates across all strata of society. It rallies us all, government, private sector, and even the youth groups to a new and urgent cause. That cause is to invest more and deliberately in the innovative minds, skills, talents, and enterprise of our youth.

“To equip them with needed and relevant technical and digital skills. To make them wealth creators, self-starters, employers of labor, and leaders in their own right. Globally, there is a Paradigm shift from merely empowering the youth to directly investing in them,” the Minister stated.

He explained how the government has continued to prioritized investment in the youth, noting that it is a cardinal focus of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

According to him,

“President Muhammadu Buhari since the inception of his administration has never taken his eyes off the ball when it comes to youth developmental issues. This government has initiated a slew of multifaceted youth-focused programs that are cross-cutting. At the last count about 25 of them undertaking by different Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“Wherever the youth group is found, these programs target them.

Indeed, when on July 22nd, 2020 the President in Council approved the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, NYIF, it was a culmination of all efforts geared at giving our youth access to funds needed for the enterprise.

“The President, through the NYIF demonstrated that Nigeria was in sync and agreement with the new thinking in youth development and that sees investing in the youth as a condition to unleash their potentials. As we speak, the NYIF has been oversubscribed for the 2020 half year funding provided.

Over 1 million applications have been received with more expected to come, Mr. Dare disclosed.

Subsequent editions of the National Youth Day would be used to draw attention to issues around youth, training, and job opportunities, as well as inclusion of youth in decision making.

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

Published

5 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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