Featured

FG Reiterates Commitment To Life Changing Programmes For Youth

Published

4 years ago

March 15, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment towards scaling the implementation of life-changing programmes and initiatives for the youth in the overall interest of the country.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, stated on Tuesday at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Abuja, when he declared open a 3-day Capacity Building Workshop organized by his Ministry for Youth, Non-Governmental Organizations and Voluntary Youth Serving Organizations (NGOs/VYOs) for the effective implementation of the National Youth Policy.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, Dare assured that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is a youth focused and friendly government, “therefore efforts are being put in place to create a synergy between institutions of Government and stakeholders in the youth sector so that issues relating to the youth are mainstreamed into activities of Government and give the youth a sense of belonging, become productive and contributing partners to the overall development of the country”.

He explained that due to the proliferation of NGOs/VYOs in the country, it has become necessary for the ministry to streamline, set objectives in coordinating and assessing the level of implementation of the National Youth Policy, as well as ascertaining the status of youth-serving organizations that are actively implementing various programmes of the Policy.

The Minister stated further that, the aim of the workshop is to reverse this trend and engage a genuine dialogue as well as create a synergy with the ministry for effective implementation of the National Youth Policy.

Dare added that “the workshop will focus at improving your capacity, bringing you together for proper revalidation, coordination and synergy as well as exposing you to the guidelines and criteria required for proper registration and recognition by the ministry in line with the provision of the National Youth Policy and other instruments on youth development which recognize the very important role you, the NGOs /VYOs have to play as partners in the implementations of Youth Development Policies.”

The Minister, while launching and unveiling of the portal on guidelines for the registration and accreditation of the youth focused Non-Governmental Organizations, expressed confidence that the workshop will engender strategies for a well-coordinated and enhanced roadmap for the National Youth Policy (2019-2023) implementation, that would meet the yearning of youth in the country.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that in line with the mandate of the Ministry, the workshop has marked a paradigm shift in Youth NGOs/VYOs collaboration with the Ministry.

With this, he said, activities of the relevant Youth Organizations are now to be properly coordinated.

Represent by the Director, Network and Social Mobilization (NSM) of the Ministry, Hajiya Amina Dauren, the Permanent Secretary enjoined participants at the workshop to remain resolute and be determined to move youth work forward, stressing that the best way to build a virile nation is to build a strong, energetic and committed youth, who would in turn be patriotic to contribute their quota to nation building.

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