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Interview: With the Growth of Volleyball in Nigeria, Football is in trouble-Engr. Nimrod

Published

5 years ago

August 13, 2019

Since he assumed office as the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation NVF, Engr Musa Nimrod has indeed with the wealth of his experience, passion and desire has turned the fortune of the game in the country and beyond. In this interview with Journalists during his recent grassroots development initiative tagged “Nimrod 300” summer talents volleyball holiday camp tourney” Joel Ajayi of The Gleamer News was there as he speaks about the initiative; his efforts toward the growth of the Volleyball; his desire and the forthcoming All Africa Games amongst other.

How would you describe the 300 kid’s initiative?

I am so impressed with the kid’s performance, let me tell you the truth 50 years ago when I was a kid like them when I started Volleyball. I am so happy today. So, is that how I started? I was like them when I was picking ball when the civil war was going on and I started playing this ball in the barrack that reminded me that any opportunity that comes our way we should use it well, destiny belong to God and today I am an administrator, I thank God.

We have seen so many laudable events like this and they are not sustained. Here are 300 kids Nimrod Volleyball Clinch. What is the sustainable plan for this initiative?

I am sorry to say this my motto, mission and vision is sustainable development and excellent. Let me tell you, we have been doing this in the North West for more than 9 years by the grace of God we shall sustain this program. These programs will be sustained with excellent God’s willing.

What do you have to say about the continuity of this program?

We have been doing it, a lot of people have been supporting this program, right now, as I talk to you the Kaduna North West event is taking off next week, yes, and it has been going on every year, every year we do it during holiday look when these children go back to school you will not believe it, we all saw how they were playing, it was fantastic, football is in trouble.

Tell us the objectives of the event and volleyball in general?

The objective is three, one sport with a passion that will develop the health, the intelligent, number two, education, number three anti-drugs these are my objectives and these kids will be greater than me in the future.

If I was involved in drugs, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am today, if I did not go to school, I will not be where I am today professionally number if I did not have passion in sports I will not be a sport administrator and be doing what God wants me to do.

Is there any plan toward grooming these kids to Under 13, 15 or Under 19 in the nearest future?

You have heard it, two years ago we don’t have the opportunity that is why I told you football is in trouble, today you are seen under 13, under 15.

Let me tell you if you don’t know, is the current Africa champion in under 17, we are the current Africa champions in under 19 so what else do you want to say and we are going to All Africa Games in the senior level.

Are you satisfied with the performance of the kids?

I am satisfied, fantastic, excellent, see the way the kids were setting, spanking, these kids will give under 17 under 19 tough times.

All Africa Games are just a few days to go. What should Nigerians be expecting from the volleyball team?

I am somebody who doesn’t promise anything until after the game, but I want to thank God I have seen the grouping and that is where I will stop but I know by the grace of God those who said volleyball is not a medal prospect sports they will see the shock.

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Featured

RMRDC: Making Giant Strides Under Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso

Published

15 hours ago

September 19, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago. This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office, he said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, “In the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; and Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations.

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed further: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC), at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research (JORMAR) will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. “The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

“The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.”Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program. “Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance.

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

The DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

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