Featured

NCF Unveils 14-Man Squad For ICC T-20 World Cup Sub Regional qualifier in Rwanda

Published

1 year ago

November 10, 2022

Joel Ajayi

The Nigeria Cricket Federation has announced the final squad that will be flying her colors at the ICC T-20 World Cup Sub Regional Qualifier B’ in Rwanda later this month. 20 players had been invited to camp late last month and after 2 weeks of drills and a series of trial matches, the final 14 players has been named.

The team selected is a blend of youth and experience with familiar faces in the mix. Onwuzilike Chimezie returns to the team while the likes of Isaac Okpe, Onikoyi Ademola, Sesan Adedeji, Peter Aho, and Prosper Useni also makes the cut.

Young bowling prodigy and pace bowler, Udekwe Chiemelie and Leg Spin bowling sensation Joshua Asia will make their debut for the senior team after a successful spell with the U-19 during the ICC tournament in Abuja in October, joined by Akhere Isesele to complete the trio of debutants to wear the prestigious Yellow and Green colors for Nigeria.

Sylvester Okpe will lead the Yellow Greens as captain as they continue preparations for the event with a pre-tournament tour to Zimbabwe where they are expected to play senior franchise teams and other national set-ups. This tournament will also afford the new Head Coach and High Performance Manager of the Federation, Steve Tikolo an opportunity to see first-hand the team play in competitive mode.

The tournament which is expected to take place from the 28th of November to the 8th of December has Nigeria drawn in group B’ alongside Tanzania, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Eswatini, The Gambia and Cameroon, with top 2 teams schedule to progress for the next phase of qualification.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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.

Share on Facebook