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NYSC Rejigs Partnership With NCRI On Agric Training

Published

5 years ago

August 11, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps is to strengthen the existing partnership with National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, Niger State, with a view to training more Corps Members in modern farming towards the boosting of agricultural production, as well as giving fillip to the Scheme’s enhanced revenue drive.

The Corps is keying into Federal Government’s agenda on the diversification of the economy through agricultural practices.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during a virtual meeting with the Management of the Institute led by its Executive Director, Dr. Aliyu Umar.

While appreciating NCRI for its numerous support towards mentoring Corps Members and NYSC Agric Officers, especially in rice farming, General Ibrahim solicited for a well-articulated and robust partnership that will ensure more bumper harvest for the Scheme through comprehensive training and supervision by the Institute.

He appreciated the assistance of the Institute in achieving a bumper harvest at NYSC rice farm in Kebbi State which it desires to replicate in all States.

To realize this noble objective and make NYSC a less burden on the Government’s lean resources, the DG proposed a Memorandum of Understanding and appointment of Desk Officers between the two agencies to oversee the partnership.

‘We don’t want NYSC to be seen as a burden to the Federal Government, and we want to generate funds from our farms’, Ibrahim said.

Responding, the Executive Director of NCRI, Dr. Aliyu Umar commended NYSC for its keen interest in the Institute and assured the Director-General that Corps Members would be incorporated in the customized training for good agricultural practices run by the Institute.

Dr. Aliyu further appreciated the NYSC for the sustained partnership and disclosed that Corps Members would be trained on rice value chain from production to utilization and in other crops such as soya beans, sugarcane, Benin seed, among others.

‘There is provision for customized training for both in-house and outside the station activities’, he said.

The Executive Director promised to appoint a Desk Officer immediately, while modalities shall be worked out to sign an MoU with the Scheme.

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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.

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