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Minister Visits Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Says will be ready for Female U20

Published

5 years ago

August 27, 2019

Minister Visits Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Says will be ready for Female U20

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has said the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna will be ready in time for the FIFA women’s U20 World Cup in July 2020 following assurances from Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai that the state will render all the necessary support.

The Minister, who made this promise while on a tour of the facilities at the 55-year-old stadium on Tuesday, commended its state of repairs even as he noted that more needed to be done to further improve on its existing state.

Defying a heavy downpour, the minister inspected the main bowl football pitch, the two training pitches, the lawn tennis courts, the 48-room hostel, gymnasium, changing rooms, and other facilities in the complex.

Mr. Dare told journalists that the management of the stadium performed impressively in maintaining the aging facilities despite funding challenges.

“There’s room for improvement but I must commend the people tasked with keeping this complex in shape,” the Minister said. “They have kept the place in fairly good condition. We shall improve on this and get this place in top condition towards the 2020 Under-20 Female World Cup billed for next year.”

The Minister, who kicked off his tour with a visit to the State Government, Mallam Nasir elRufai, commended the state government for its commitment to grassroots sports and uplifting the youth through friendly competitions. He said this connects well with his Ministry’s larger mandate to unite and empower the youth through sports and other productive activities.

Governor el-Rufai had at a meeting before the tour given the assurance that the state will support in making the Ahmadu Bello Stadium ready for the tournament noting that Kaduna state is prioritizing sports as an avenue for gainfully engaging youths.

He also thanked the Governor for promising to provide funding for the maintenance of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

“The Kaduna Govenor is in tune with the Federal Government’s ambitious plans to direct the passion, creativity and energy of the Nigerian youth to lucrative and noble ventures. We welcome his desire to see this stadium go back to its glory days.

“Kaduna has produced sporting icons like the late Sunday Bada, Daniel Amokachi, Celestine Babayaro and Juliana Negedu. These great individuals gave their prime to this nation and I am certain that we can find more like them today, even in other sports.

Therefore, the promise by the Kaduna State Government is very much welcome indeed.”

The Minister, who rode the Abuja – Kaduna train on both legs of the trip, was received by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Sports Development, Kabir Muhammad Mato.

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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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