Featured

NOC Election:Your Time is Up -Group Tells Engr.Gumel

Published

3 years ago

December 4, 2022

A group known as United Sports Stakeholders has advised the incumbent President of the Nigeria Olympic NOC,Engr.Habu Gumel to jettison his plan to seek re-election into the office for the fifth time; and allow young, vibrant and dynamic individuals to succeed him.
The group in a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its spokesman,Comrade Sylvanus Ofekun, described Engr.Gumel’s ambition as despicable.

The statement added that the complacency and reprehensible laxity alongside his lack of transparency are attributes that the NOC President has displayed for the past 16 years.

“Following several media channels report that the incumbent President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, is seeking re-election into the same office for the fifth time. This is to say the least, despicable.

His complacency and reprehensible laxity laced with his lack of transparency are some of the attributes he has displayed since his first election as President of the NOC, which have grounded sports in Nigeria.”

For instance, in the last 16 years of presiding over the NOC, no visible improvement has been recorded nor a clear-cut direction offered to the NOC.”The statement reads.

The statement alleged that Nigeria has lost its congress membership at the International Olympic Committee IOC, because of Engr.Gumel’s age.The group also raises alarm over the corruption allegation against him at the continental level.

“Under the leadership of Gumel, Nigeria lost her Congress Membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He attained membership of the IOC in 2009 and became ineligible to continue after attaining the mandatory 70 years of age on April 1st, 2019.

According to Rule 16.3.3.1 of the Olympics Charter, an IOC Member ceases to be a Member at the end of the calendar year during which he reaches the age of 70.

At the continental level, Engineer Gumel alongside the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Berraf are facing corruption allegations which both of them are yet to deny.”The statement also reads.The statement concludes by advising the NOC President to allow a breathe of fresh air.

“Since he is no longer relevant at the international level, couple with the fact that NOC has failed in its responsibilities under Engr. Gumel’s presidency, we therefore appeal that he rests his ambition for younger, vibrant, dynamic and result oriented individuals to via for the office of the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and bring breathe of “fresh air” into that office

Share on Facebook

Featured

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

Published

5 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.

Share on Facebook