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NCF Join Forces With PWC To Grow Cricket In Nigeria

Published

5 years ago

September 26, 2019

U-17 Boys, Girls Cricket Tournament kick-off In Abuja

Joel Ajayi

As part of it’s unrelent efforts to grow the game of Cricket more in the country, the Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF have joined forces with the PriceWater House Coopers PwC) to grow the games of Cricket believe will produce many future champions for the Country.

This even as the federation have commenced the maiden edition of the National U-17 Cricket Championship for both Boys and girls categories in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the Press briefing and unveiling of the logo for the Championship, the President NCF Prof Yahaya Ukwenya, expressed that the partnership was a right steps in a right direction to grow and improve the game of cricket at the age-grade level.

He said the Federation will continue it’s campaign for the sport’s grassroots development in accordance with the International Cricket Council (ICC) desire.

According to him, the aim of the championship is to get the best players from the grassroots so that we can have formidable teams for the national teams.

“I can tell you that we have PwC strongly influencing both arms of development. They have partnered with us as we move around the country to promote the game.

“We also needed to improve competitions at age-grade level, because this is an important part in the development of any sport.

“Since the skills to win matches can only be done on the field of play, we decided that before the kids go out to represent us, they should have experienced competitions at various stages.

“We feel that the under-17 is a gateway to international cricket as some of the greatest players in the world began at this stage.

“So, we approached PwC and they took up the initiative immediately. We commend and appreciate PwC for going into partnership with us,’’ Ukwenya said.

Prof. Ukwanya equally disclosed that each region of the country will present a 14-player team at the finals which will take a round robin format.

In his addressed the leader of Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) delegation – sponsors of the championship, Mr Tolu Adeleke said the company was interested in taking the youths out of the street and helping to produce the next big name in Nigerian cricket.

“Our values align with those of the ICC and by extension the NCF. We seem to be working on the same path and purpose.

“This is also part of our corporate social responsibilities and we are glad to associate ourselves with the giant strides of the present NCF administration.”

When asked for the years of partnership, Mr Adeleke replied; “as long as Pricewater house Cooper’s exist, we about 150 countries around the world, and we have been helping countries in all sectors, finance, Sports, Administration amongst other.”

However, the U-17 Girls championship will hold from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th September while the male version will hold from October 3rd to 6th 2019.

Also, preliminary rounds of the events were held at the zonal level where states played against each other in their various regions.

Meanwhile, female team comprises of 5 teams from six-geo political zone the exclusion of North East zone while all geo political zone will be features in that of Male category.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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