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Kaduna State Appoints Bukola Olopade Consultants For Marathon Race

Published

5 years ago

September 14, 2020

Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML), Nigeria’s leading sports marketing agency has been appointed as an official for the Kaduna Marathon.

The Kaduna Marathon event also tagged “Kaduna Runs” is slated for November will attract leading international marathon runners in a bid to strengthen the state’s position as a foremost sporting venue that has produced many world-class athletes in Nigeria.

Mr. Jimi Lawal, the Chairman of the Marathon steering committee while announcing during the stakeholders meeting on Saturday said: “We have engaged NSML, an organization that has organized marathons and road races of international repute.”

He expressed confidence that engaging NSML as consultants for the Kaduna Marathon will ensure that the marathon is a success.

The stakeholders meeting which was held at the Kaduna State Government House was attended by major stakeholders involved in the planning and execution of the Kaduna Marathon. Ministries, Educational Institutions, and security agencies across the state were well represented.

Hon. Bukola Olopade, Chief Executive Officer of NSML said “We are delighted to be part of the Kaduna Marathon, kudos to the steering committee for conceptualizing this illustrious event, we are bringing our full force and expertise to execute the Kaduna Marathon and ensure that it is a resounding success.

“NSML is known for excellence and we are very confident that the race will join the league of recognized and respected marathon races across the world.”

The event which is also positioned as a unity race will showcase the dynamism and relentlessness of the Kaduna People. The state is expected to host approximately 10,000 – 50,000 people for the marathon.

It was established through the collaborative efforts of the Kaduna State Government and its partners to further showcase and promote the diverse sporting talent that abounds in the state.

ABOUT NILAYO SPORTS MANAGEMENT LIMITED – Nilayo Sports Management Ltd, is a sports management and marketing company based in Lagos, Nigeria. NSML has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of sports including World Athletics, Confederation of African Athletics, and Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

Yearly, NSML organizes several sporting events across the country, which include Access Bank Lagos City Marathon which is the biggest Marathon in Africa and also Silver labelled by World Athletics, Great Abeokuta 10km Race, Africa’s foremost ultrarace, the Valuejet IAU African Championship Remo 2019, a 50km Ultra race held in Ogun state among others.

Under the leadership of Honourable Bukola Olopade, Former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State, Nilayo Sports Management Limited has consistently delivered excellence at all races and other sporting events

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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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