Sports

FG Reiterates Commitment To Actualizing Commonwealth Core Values

Published

3 years ago

May 10, 2023

Joel Ajayi

President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the actualization of the core values of the Commonwealth, and also expressed his firm belief in the power of the youth as the driving force, in making a difference in the socio-economic development of their societies.

The President gave the assurance today in Abuja when he declared open the 2023 Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit, African Region.

He noted that youth is a transition phase, though always confronted by different realities, opportunities and challenges that define their resilience and potentials.
President Muhammadu Buhari explained that the Commonwealth as it is known today has come a long way from being just a handful of Committee of Nations representing former British Colonies to a global force on matters of universal peace, democracy, human rights, economic and social development as well as youth and sports development.

He informed that the future of the youth can only be built through collaboration, communication, compromise and wisdom of those who have earned experience overtime and thus called on the youth to avoid confrontation and conflict as these are likely to mar their full potentials.
“The actualization of these potentials means solutions for all of us; youth and adults alike because many of the challenges that face us are cross demographic”, the President said.

Speaking earlier, the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that the conversations at the ongoing Summit will centre around the role of technology in deciding the future of African youth leadership in various sectors.
Dare noted that governments have great roles to play by investing in the youth.

“Investment in our youth must take centre stage in the priority order of our countries, that is why the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration embarked on establishing a youth investment fund of N75b over three years to provide youth with collateral free loans on preferential terms to catalyze their ideas”.

Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of Government that have direct impact on the youth.

The Summit with the theme, *”Co-creating our common future leadership in the Digital age in Africa,” is to witness an assemblage of 11 Ministers and 5000 youth from 21 African countries.

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Sports

NSC, NOC Task Journalists on Gender Equality in Sports Reporting

Published

4 hours ago

October 26, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, and the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel and Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, have urged sports journalists to intensify awareness of women’s participation and achievements in sports.

They made the call on Monday in Abuja while speaking at the opening of a two-day seminar organised by the NOC Women’s Commission for sports journalists, aimed at promoting gender equality and improving media coverage of women in sports.

Olopade stressed that women could not be sidelined in Nigeria’s sports development, urging journalists to give greater attention to female athletes and their contributions to the sector.

In his remarks, Eng Gumel said the media had a significant role in shaping public perception of women in sports, noting that balanced and inclusive reporting would encourage more girls to participate and inspire women to take up leadership positions.

He described the seminar as a strategic initiative to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in sports, while commending the Women’s Commission for its commitment to promoting gender equality.
According to him, the seminar was designed not merely to improve sports reporting but also to change the narrative surrounding women’s participation and achievements in the sporting sector.
He noted that the programmes had helped build capacity, provide mentorship and inspire women to contribute more effectively to sports development
The president described the journalists’ seminar as a strategic way to conclude the tenure of the current Women Commission, expressing satisfaction that its final programme focused on the media’s influence in advancing women’s participation in sports.

He urged participants to make the most of the seminar by engaging actively, asking questions and acquiring the knowledge needed to become advocates for women in sports journalism.

Earlier in her welcome addressed, the Chairperson of the NOC Women’s Commission, Professor Florence Adeyanju, called on journalists to use their influence to promote fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.

Adeyanju observed that although sports had traditionally been perceived as a male-dominated field, many women had overcome barriers to participate and excel.

She noted that sports offered enormous benefits to girls, including improved skills, self-confidence and resilience, while opening doors to lifelong opportunities.

According to her, journalists’ reports, photographs and attitudes significantly influence public perceptions of female athletes, warning against coverage that prioritises physical appearance over sporting skills and achievements.

She urged participants to embrace modern sports reporting techniques that challenge stereotypes and remove barriers that have hindered women’s participation in sports.

Adeyanju also encouraged the journalists to share the knowledge acquired at the seminar and produce reports that would inspire future generations.

She expressed appreciation to Gumel and the NOC board for supporting the commission’s initiative.

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