Featured

Minister Wades Into NYCN Crisis

Published

6 years ago

September 6, 2019

…sets up resolution committee

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has commenced a deliberate process that will culminate in the resolution of the leadership crisis in the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in line with the promise made by the Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare, upon his assumption of duty.

Mr. Dare, who had promised to convene a meeting of critical stakeholders in youth development when he resumed as the Minister of Youth and Sports Development also made a commitment to hold “crucial and confrontational deliberations” that will lead to the resolution of the NYCN crisis.

Following several hours of the stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, the Minister set up a committee to consider options presented for the resolution of the crisis with the panel having two weeks to come up with an amicable solution.

He said “The Ministry (of Youth and Sports Development) will not be part of the committee. I expect the committee to be neutral, thorough and objective”.
“We need to chart a new critical path forward. The Ministry will go and look at its internal processes again. The ministry will play its role and that role is a neutral one,” he promised.

The Committee’s term of reference is for it to arrive at a preferable option out of the three thrown up at the meeting. The first option is for stakeholders to explore legal provisions for the resolution of the crisis.

A second option is for NYCN to hold a fresh convention that will effectively sweep away the four persons laying claims to the leadership of the Council. The option is for the Ministry to abandon the NYCN and create a new platform for reaching out to the youth.

Stakeholders in the course of deliberations had commended the neutral approach adopted by the minister in the efforts to resolve the leadership tussle that has grounded the NYCN for over eight years as they expressed confidence that a solution is within sight.

The meeting was attended by the contending leaders of the NYCN, past four presidents of the council and Chairman Board of Trustee, Mr. Dickson Akoh.

The Ministry had in the past issued press statements to the media on the lingering leadership crisis, complemented with public notices in major daily newspapers with a directive to the youth council members to desist from parading themselves as president of the NYCN.
The Committee has two weeks to conclude its work.

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Featured

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

Published

7 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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