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NYSC DG Bags Daily Sun’s Public Service Award

Published

4 years ago

August 24, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps will be conferred with Daily Sun’s Public Service Award.

In a press statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Sun Newspaper, Mr Onuoha Ikeh disclosed this when he led some Members of the management team of the media outfit on a courtesy visit to present a formal letter to Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.

The MD who said the award was instituted in 2003 to honour Nigerians who have done well in different fileds of human endeavour added that many Distinguished Nigerians had been confered with the award in different categories over the years.

He said Brigadier General lbrahim was selected for the award by the Board of Editors of the media outfit based on his pedgree and laudable innovations since his assumption of office as the eighteenth Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps in May, 2019.

“Your selection for the award was based on merit because of your outstanding achievements in piloting the affairs of the NYSC as the eighteenth NYSC Director-General; you have made giant strides through your five point policy thrust.

We note that you have taken steps towards re-invigorating the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, you have also renewed the commitment of Bank of Industry towards the resucitation of empowerment of Corps Members.

You have initiated and sustained new collaboration with NIRSAL Microfinance Bank on empowerment of Corps Entrepreneurs, as well as opening of a new partnership with Unity Bank plc.

You have collaborated with British American Tobacco Foundation on the empowerment of Corps Members with agricultural skills and business trainings, farm internship, mentoring and farm input supply.

You have made a tremendous impact in the public service and by so doing contributing to good governance”, he said.

Onuoha also commended the Director-General for resuscitating the NYSC Water Factory and Bakery in Abuja and the on-going construction of the NYSC North-Cenral Skill Acquisition Centre in Keffi.

He listed the acquisition of modern farm implements for the NYSC Farms located at Kwali Abuja, Dungulbi Bauchi State, Samikaka in Kebbi State, and Iseyin in Oyo State, among other notable achievements as part of the criteria for the award.

He added that the prestigious Sun Award ceremony is slated for October this year and will be held in Lagos.

NYSC Director-General in his response thanked the Sun Newspaper for giving balanced reportage to NYSC activities and also sensitising the public on the Scheme’s programmes.

He said the award would spur him to add more impetus in his service to humanity.

He disclosed that up till date, there is no COVID-19 positive case in any of the NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.

Ibrahim said the NYSC/NCDC partnership has helped the NCDC and Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 with the analysis of NYSC operations especially on COVID-19.

He said NYSC was established for the promotion of national unity and integration, but the Scheme has added entrepreneurship training to its Orientation Course programme in order to enhance youth empowerment.

General lbrahim said the dearth of white collar jobs has made many graduates unemployed and in a bid to reduce graduate unemployment, “we decided to introduce Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as an alternative to empower Corps Members with skills.

Ibrahim also reiterated his appeal for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund that would make start-up capital available to interested Corps Members as they exit service in order to kick-start their businesses.

“We earnestly solicit the support of the Sun Newspaper to sensitize Nigerians in this regard”, General lbrahim said.

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

Published

6 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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