Featured

Lockdown: Engage in self-development activities- Ajani urges Youths

Published

6 years ago

April 2, 2020

Admin.

The Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) on Thursday advised Nigerian youths to make good use of the COVID-19 lockdown period by engaging in self-development activities.

Its Youth Focal Point, Nigeria, Ms Bless-me Ajani, gave the advice in Lagos.

Ajani also advised them that rather than engaging in unprotected and avoidable sexual activities, they should be responsible in their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) habits and be positively occupied while inside their houses.

According to her, though, the social distancing policy, which is the only reasonable thing to do at this time, involved closing down of schools and other places, it is making many people to be idle.

“Consequently, adolescent girls and vulnerable women may end up in various compromising situations, hence, the need to deploy measures to avoid them.

“As young people, we should endeavour to make good use of this period by engaging in productive self-development activities such as reading a book, trying out new hobbies, digital skills or even documenting your social distancing experience.

“You will be amazed how your writing skill would have improved by the end of this period,’’ she said.

Ajani advised young people to endeavour to practise abstinence at this time and where they could not, they should get handy condoms and emergency contraceptives.

“It is crucial that we all take responsibilities for our sexual needs during this time,” she said.

According to her, the reality is, this is not a good time to have unplanned pregnancies.

“Because the pressure of the pandemic on the health system will affect and disrupt routine SRH services including family planning, ante-natal services, post-abortion café services and immunisation services,” she said.

Ajani urged government agencies and parastatals to educate the public the implications of perpetrating sexual, domestic and gender-based violence during this time

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook