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Minister Orders Federations to Submit Olympics Plans for Tokyo 2020

Published

5 years ago

September 12, 2019

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has ordered National Sports Federations to immediately begin preparations for the 2020 Tokoyo Olympics.

The Federations were also directed to submit details of their plans for the preparations within ten days of the directive.

A letter from the minister, addressed to all presidents of national sports federations, asked the federations to review their programmes in view of the just concluded All African Games in Morocco.

The letter, sighted by our correspondent and dated 10th September, 2019, said “Federations are required to submit their programs, reviewed in the light of the outcome of the AG, and progress recorded in the preparations for the Olympics to enable the ministry take necessary steps.

“Federations are therefore expected to develop and train their athletes and present them to the ministry in a timely fashion for competitions, which requires that the training of athletes should now be on and off season.

“You are consequently directed to commence preparations in earnest for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” the letter requested.

The minister identified late preparations as the bane of Nigeria’s participation in championships and international tournaments, saying presidents and secretaries of federations are expected to embrace the new thinking aimed at addressing the challenge.

As stated in the letter, “Nigerians want medals, not failures or stories.”

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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