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France 2019: FG, NFF Assures Super Falcons Of Better Support

Published

5 years ago

April 11, 2019

The Gleamer

France 2019: FG, NFF Assures Super Falcons Of Better Support

… As WW Cup Trophy stops over in Abuja

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government on Thursday has pledged the needed support for the better outing of Nigeria’s Super Falcon as the team is preparing to make the country proud at the 2019 Women World Cup in France come June this year.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja the Minister of Youth and Sports Bar Solomon Dalung gave the assurance when the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy made a stop-over in Nigeria on its tour of 24 countries qualified to participate at the championship in France,

Minister who was represented by Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Hauwa Kulu-Akinyemi, he traced the evolution of women football in Nigeria and reveal that the government will not relent in its efforts to ensure women football develop.

According to him, the Government of Nigeria recognizes the pivotal role of football in unifying peoples across various physical and mental divides and creating joy, love and passion among the youth.

“Football is a remarkable boundary-eliminator and works wonders in drastically reducing insecurity while fostering peace and tranquillity within and across jurisdictions all over the world.”

Speaking also, the Acting President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi has assured that the Federation will provide even more support and encouragement for the Super Falcons as they enter the final stages of preparation for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in France.

Akinwunmi acknowledged that the women’s game has brought so much honour to Nigeria, and therefore deserves all the encouragement and push necessary to thrive.

He said: “ Government of Nigeria has been giving so much support to the various National Teams, including the Super Falcons. On our part at the NFF, we will ensure that the girls receive even stronger support before the FIFA World Cup in France.

While speaking, the Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman who led the FIFA team, thanked the Government of Nigeria for its continued support for football, especially the women’s game.

Also with her were Nicole Fisch (lead for women’s football project), Vanessa Marques (lead for marketing project) and FIFA legend Osaze Peter Odemwingie – former Nigeria international.

The gold –plated trophy, nearly 5 kilograms in weight, was unveiled by Odemwingie, who featured in four Africa Cup of Nations finals for Nigeria and played at two FIFA World Cup finals.

At the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, the train was joined by players, technical team and backroom staff of the Super Falcons led by Head Coach Thomas Dennerby, a number of pupils from a secondary school in Abuja and other stakeholders.

The Hilton part of the tour also witnessed two video documentaries. “History of women football development in Nigeria and France readiness of hosting the world.”

In her presentation, Bareman disclosed that six of the group phase matches at the 8^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France has been sold out, including that pitching Nigeria’s Super Falcons against France at the Roazhon Park in Rennes on 17^th June.

She also revealed that FIFA is targeting one billion television viewers for the showpiece taking place 7^th June – 7^th July, and that most of the tickets have so far been taken up by nationals of host nation France, the United States, The Netherlands and United Kingdom. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) will be deployed at a women’s tournament for the first time in France, where five debutants (Jamaica, Chile, Scotland, Thailand and South Africa) will be on show.

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FG woos foreign mining investors with lower production cost

Published

19 hours ago

November 28, 2023

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Cutting red tapes which slow business transactions and improving the security of mining operations are among fresh commitments unfolded by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake at the Mines & Money Conference which opened in London, United Kingdom on Tuesday.

Addressing global stakeholders in the mining industry, Alake, in the 15-minute speech pitched for more investment in Nigeria listing unique advantages such as lower production cost due to surface mining and billions of dollar untapped minerals.
He quoted recent reports by audit firm KPMG which reported that mining’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP rose from 0.3 percent to 0.85 percent last year, indicating 0.63 percent year on year growth.

His words: “The country’s geological bounty encompasses over 44 distinct mineral types, found in exploitable quantities across more than 500 locations. Recently, recognizing the evolving global landscape and in response to emerging trends, Lithium has been included as a crucial strategic mineral of global consequence.”

Dr. Alake said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has embarked on reforms to boost investment by streamlining procedures and reducing hurdles to attract foreign investors.

Showcasing recent progress in creating conditions for solid minerals development, Dr. Alake highlighted fresh data revealed by the Airborne Geophysical Survey, memorandum of understanding with German firm Geoscan to gather more data on solid minerals across the country and access to finance through a new funding facility launched by the Africa Finance Corporation and the Solid Minerals Development Fund.

The minister reminded the global mining community of the Federal Government ‘s policies on how mining operations must benefit the communities and lead to processing instead of wholesale export of raw minerals.

“ Nigeria is currently emphasizing Solid Minerals Beneficiation and Value-Addition as a panacea for quick and sustainable growth of the Mining Industry…By adding value to our raw materials, we not only create higher value products but also generate employment opportunities for our teeming youth and increase the sector’s overall profitability and contribution to the nation’s GDP”, he said
Dr. Alake urged investors to support socio-economic development of the communities where they mine to make mining mutually beneficial.

Citing the recent launch of the revised guidelines for Community Development Agreement which provides for social amenities, educational support, health and safety environmental facilities.

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