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Minister charges youth to take advantage of 3-days Entrepreneurship training.

Published

5 years ago

November 2, 2020

My heart radiates with happiness to see the number of participants under the various youth groups in Ogbomoso and environs that have turned up here today to take part in this capacity building. It is a testimony to the fact that there is a yearning among our youth to upskill themselves when the opportunity is presented to them. Furthermore, the number of participants here is an indication that the youth realize they need to acquire the added advantage, which is the additional skills, different from their original courses of study, to thrive in a world that has become increasingly more digital, entrepreneurship oriented and competitive.

It is in response to these realities that the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, which I oversee, has introduced the DEEL initiative, which is Digital Skills acquisition, Internship, Employability, and Leadership. Youth from across the country are already benefitting from pieces of a training run in conjunction with partners like IMB, Microsoft, and Google.

The Federal Government has taken the additional step of equipping youth to start and own their own businesses with the establishment of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). It is a ringfenced N75 billion naira for bankable youth ideas and businesses at a 5% interest rate with a moratorium of up to 12 months.

It is my desire to see the youth here in Ogbomoso, in Oyo state, and all over Nigeria key into these initiatives and turn themselves into employers of labor, wealth creators, and entrepreneurs. I, therefore, want you to take advantage of this three-day training to join those that will grow Nigeria’s economy to an enviable position in the years ahead.

I urge you to listen and learn for the duration of the training and thereafter. Use this crucial training as a launchpad that will ensure that you are able to set up small scale enterprise that can grow and expand into world brands.

No man that doesn’t have a story, the story of some of you have begun today in terms of owning your personal small scale business. That is why we are urging you to try and take the opportunities that have been brought to your doorsteps seriously. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a step.

You have already taken the bold steps already to have come and participated in this capacity building. I said this because some youth are still out there who doubt that this program is not true. They didn’t come to participate not because they are not interested but because they fail to believe in the reality of life.

It is my priority as the Minister of Youth development in this country to ensure that we empower the youth and equip you with the necessary facilities that would bring about betterment to your future.

This is one of the reasons why we have set up this program. And the first sets of youth to benefit from this program are the youth of this ancient city of Ogbomoso.

While wishing you a fruitful and successful training ahead, I wish to urge you all once again to take advantage of this important training. I know you are intelligent, I know you are innovative and hardworking, you are just waiting for this opportunity to come and the opportunity is right before you, kindly take advantage of it. It is my dream that you all would excel in the field you have chosen in this 3-days capacity building program, either in the Fishery, Piggery, or the confectionaries. I am very optimistic that some of you will start telling your stories of your journey to stardom soon.
Thank you all.

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Featured

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

Published

5 days 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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