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Minister Tips Wrestling For Olympic Glory in Tokyo

Published

4 years ago

September 23, 2020

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare while hosting the Bayelsa state Commissioner for Youth and Sports Dr. Daniel Igali on Tuesday assured Nigerians of Olympic medal haul in Wrestling.

According to the Minister “If we’re sure 0f a Sport that would fetch us medals at the Olympics it is wrestling, considering the fact that the federation had done so well.

“The Wrestling Federation under the leadership of Dr. Daniel Igali Vision, dream, and focus are in line with our plans and we are sure that the likes of Blessing Oborodudu and Odunayo Adekuroye would win medals at the Olympics.

“It gladdened our heart when you were appointed Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development because we believe that once we have seasoned athletes like you in this position, we are sure that you will get on the same page with the policy of the Federal Government on youth and sports Development.

“For us, that is a plus and we believe that in the next four years as Commissioner, you will work closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in line with our Vision of grassroots Development, Partnership with the private sector and state governments. I also want to thank you for speaking to the Adopt Initiative. We were already on an accelerated pace to get as many athletes as possible adopted before COVID-19 slowed us down.

“ Some of those that promised to adopt was also affected because their company was shut down and there was a general downturn. We have picked up again and I recall clearly that you are also a product of adopting initiative in Canada where you actually hit the peak of your performance. We hope that this adopt initiative is something that has a sustainable model to support our athletes other than the Olympics”.

“We celebrate you as an Olympian, we salute your effort to ensure that you share that podium with other Nigeria wrestlers which are why one of our greatest hope of medals at the Olympics is Wrestling among the eleven sports that we have chosen. We can almost take it to the bank that we would get a medal from Wrestling due to your leadership, discipline, and professionalism. We hope we can sustain the tempo till next year so that our Athletes will have podium performance.

“Let me also say that we have 32 sporting Federations supervised by the Ministry. Without mincing words, I think the Wrestling Federation remains one of our best federations. I can see the connection between having a leadership that is purposeful, that is collegial, democratic, and not unilateral, respect the code of governance and the constitution set by the board. You can see the connection with what happens with the quality of the athletes and I hold the Wrestling federation as one that we want to have a constructive relationship with the Ministry. We also want federations where the leadership pays attention to the welfare and the development of its members particularly the Athletes.

The Minister congratulated Igali on his appointment as Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Bayelsa State.

In his own remark, Igali thanked the Minister for his giant strides in the last one year since assuming Office

Igali solicited the Minister’s support to vie into the office of the World wrestling body, partnership with the Bayelsa State Government and plans to organize the maiden edition of the Bayelsa State Sports Festival.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

2 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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