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Nigerian Athletes Challenges World Best Japan In ICE Winter Youth Olympic By Fely Mammah Nwokorie
The Curling Ice Youth Winter Olympic Game is currently going on in Gangeung in South Korea, Seoul and it will last from the 19th to the 29th of January, 2024.
The Honourable Minister of Sports Development Sen. John Owan Enoh who witnessed the event in South Korea on the 19th of January, said that he is proud of the Nigerian team whose determination and participation in the game for the first time in the history of sports necessitated the country’s representation in Korea.
While commending the spirit of oneness that he saw in the team, especially their coordination by the Curling President who single handedly discovered the sports and athelets, the minister assured them that “The President of Nigeria Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu is solidly behind you, loves Sports and ready to support Sports”.
Sen. Enoh emphatically said that he is proud on them for dearing the Europeans in their game of Ice Curling during Winter and participating in Youth Olympic Game for the first time. Sen. Enoh said that for them to challenges Japanese athletes who happen to be the second best in the world, speaks volumes of the fact that Nigeria has enormous talents in sports that if natured properly, will bring glory to the country and as well, put them on podium performance.
“They have been the center of attraction in the game” the Hon. Minister said as he observed that other countries attention were on six Nigerian atheletes who were participating with significant zeal among the one hundred and seventeen countries that featured to compete in the Olympic Championship.
He however, assured both the athelets and President of Curling federation of every support that will make their World Body give them the deserved recognition particularly when Nigerian is the only African country to be a member of Curling Winter Ice Federation and also, as europeans have seen our countries love for their sports even when Nigeria has no Ice and stronge Winter.
Further more, the Minister reminded them that “They are treasure and pride of our country, you should continue to make the name of the country vibrate in this tournament”. Senator Enoh encouraged them to be proud of themselves and remain confident despite their no. He further Challenged them to emulate Kamsi Dike Chukwu who broke a record in 2022 by being the youngest 10 year old player during Curling Ice International Championship.
Sen. Enoh extended his sports hand of fellowship to both the Presidents of African Nation Olympic Committee Association (ANOCA) Mr. Mustapha Barack and the President of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Dr. Thomas Bach whom he paid courtesy call. Both Presidents not withstanding, expressed recognition of the country’s dedication to excel in all areas of sporting activities.
According to them in their unanimous opinion, Nigeria is fast distinguishing her self in sports related events. They were amazed that amidst other African countries, only Nigeria flag is raised for mandatory recognition during Ice Curling competitions. They pledged to synergise their relation with both the Ministry and the NOC in areas that would support the growth sports.
President of the Curling Federation Mr Daniel Damola in his response, disclosed that Nigerian government supported his growth through sports thus, his reason for given back to the same government through sports.
Speaking, he stated that Curling originated from Scotland but domiciled only in countries with Ice Winter. Mr. Damola further said that he knows that Nigerians excel any where they find themselves and that he was not discouraged in the discovering of this sports.
The President still revealed that he gathers his athletes in Nigeria and sponsors them to Germany Italy, Finland and Russia for trainings that qualified them to participate for the first time in the on going Youth Winter Olympic Game which is strictly between the ages of 15- 17 years. Nigerian athletes are participating in the different categories which comprises of Mix-events 2boys and 2 girls, Mix-Double 1boy and 1 girl.
The Honourable Minister John Owan Enoh attended the event in the full compliment of the President of the Nigerian Olympics Committee Engr. Habu Gumel and some of his technical staff, President of athletes in the Nigerian Olympic Commission who also doubles as the vice Chairman of Nigerian Olympic Committee Mr. Olumide Oyedeji, Staff of the Ministry in Grassroot Department and a Press Officer.
Fely Mammah NwokoriePress Officer22nd January, 2024
Featured
How Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso Repositioning the Raw Materials Sector For Economic Diversification
By Joel Ajayi
As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.
This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.
Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago.
This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.
The RMRDC, operating under the Federal
The Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.
Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.
Speaking this during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.
According to him, in the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.
“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations;
“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”
While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.
“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information. erships to drive our mission forward.
“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC) at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.
“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research [JORMAR] will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector.
“The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.
The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.
Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program.
“Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.
“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance
“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.
“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance
“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.
“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.
He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.
“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.
“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.
DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.
In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.
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