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IOC President Arrives Nigeria, Amid Cheer To Commission ANOCA Secretariat

Published

6 years ago

November 13, 2019

Joel Ajayi

Federal Government on Wednesday received the President of the International Olympics Committee (IOC) Mr. Thomas Bach and his entourage amid cheer and excitement.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, while Receiving the IOC President, highlighted some of the activities for the two day visit.

“Nigeria welcomes the President of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Thomas Bach very warmly to Nigeria and the ANOCA President Bartman Barif and the entire team and we hope that the next two days will be exciting as we have lined up a number of activities. One of the most important is the commissioning of the ANOCA headquarters which is Olympics headquarters for Africa, the visit to the school where Olympic values are taught. We will also be at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium to meet with Olympians and some of our athletes who are on their way to the Olympics 2020.

The IOC President who spoke to Journalists upon arrival at Namidi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja expressed delight to be in Nigeria while corroborating the Minister’s position on activities lined up for his visit.

“It is a great pleasure arriving to here in Nigeria, a great sporting country. I’m looking forward to a very successful meeting with the government, the International Olympic Committee and most importantly to meet the Nigerian athletes and wish them luck for their qualification and participation in the Olympic games Tokyo 2020.

“I will also have the opportunity to visit the school where the Olympic values are being promoted in an exemplary way, it’s a very rich program and I’m really looking forward to enjoying the Nigerian hospitality.”

It will be recalled that last week Friday held a press conference to intimate the the media on activities lined up for the IOC President’s visit. The IOC President had visited Cape Verde, Senegal and Cameroon before arriving in Nigeria for a two day visit.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week 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.

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