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NSF: FCT Minister Pledges 100% Supports For Athletes, As He Recieves Unity Torch

Published

6 years ago

February 3, 2020

NSF: FCT Minister Pledges 100% Supports For Athletes, As He Receives Unity Torch

…We are ready to break more grounds in Edo FCT Director of Sports

Ahead of the forthcoming National Sports Festival NSF, in Edo State, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Malam Mohammed Musa Bello has assured 100% support for the Team FCT that will enable them to perform optimally when the event eventually kicks off next month.

Malam Bello gave this assurance on Monday in Abuja when he received the Torch from a contingent of FCT Athletes led by the FCTA Director of Sports, Mrs. Dilichukwu Onyedinma saying that, NSF remains a platform for Nigerian sportsmen and women to showcase their talents.

“As we flag-off the journey of this beautiful torch of unity for the unity games we hope that God Almighty will see this torch go through all the 36 states and culminate in Benin the Sports city.”

Bello however, commended the Edo State contingent for its excellent performance during the event last year in the FCT which saw them emerge as the overall best.

Speaking, also the Minister of FCT state Hajiya Ramatu Tijani, said that the commitment of the FCTA is to ensure the development of sports adding that the current administration will put in place better preparation in terms of training for the athletes, as well as the release of fund.

Minister of State who was represented by the Senior Assistant Media Mr. Austin Elemu said that the administration is working very hard to ensure Fct athletes perform better during, before and after Edo 2020

According to her, I want to tell you today in clear terms that FCTA is preparing for this game more than ever before, we have learned from past experiences, especially last year National Youth Games where Director of Sports was running up and down for the fund, it will not happen this time around.

“This time around the Administration is ready to release funds when the need arises.
As we speak, we have agreed to renovate and upgrade all the six stadia in the area council in FCT to ensure the growth and development of football in the capital city.”

on her remarks, the FCT Director of Sports, Mrs. Diichukwu Onyedinma thanked the Coordinator and the Main Organising Committee, MOC for the 2020 NSF, assuring that FCT is ready to break more grounds in the festival.

“It gladdens my heart that today we are receiving the 2020 National Sports Festival Unity Torch. Of course, the FCT slogan is ‘Centre of Unity’ and this torch has come to re-echo this national symbol. Sport is a unifying sector and over the years Nigeria and her people have benefited immensely from the joy, peace, and love that sport glows.

“We hosted the NSF two years ago and we broke many records including coming 7^th in the overall medals table. This year, we aim to move a step up the ladder.

“It is on this basis that I thank the Honourable Ministers of the FCT Mohammed Bello, and FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Alihu for their immense support. Edo 2020 presents another opportunity for us and we are ready for the challenges. We will go and win,” she said.

The Minister was joined by the FCT Minister of State, Hajiya Ramatu Tijani, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Acting Transportation Secretary, Mrs. Alice Achu Odey, among others during the flag-off ceremony.

A Gbagyi cultural troupe also accompanied the unity torch to the Minister’s office where they provided entertainment during the brief ceremony.

However, the 2020 National Sports Festival Unity Torch will proceed from the FCT to Niger State tomorrow. It is expected to go round the 36 states of the federation and the FCT before the festival commences in March.

The 20th National Sports Festival titled “EDO 2020” is scheduled to run from Friday, March 20 to Friday, April 3, 2020.

According to the timetable, the opening ceremony of the game holds March 22, 2020, while the closing ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

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

Published

1 week 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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