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Obafemi Awolowo Stadium To Return To Past Glory-Sports Minister
The Minister for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare, has said that the renovation of the Obafemi Awolowo stadium Ibadan remains top on his agenda, with a view to returning the stadium to its former glorious position.
The Minister said this during an official visit to the stadium in Oyo state on Sunday. Hon. Dare promised ensure that the stadium returns to hosting national and international sports events as it did in the past, while adding that part of his administration’s focus is to upgrade and manage all Federal Government owned sports facilities through private and public partnership.
It would be recalled that the stadium, which was opened in 1960, had hosted various continental and world sporting events, notable among them are the first ever boxing world title fight in Africa for the Middleweight Championship of the World belt between Nigeria’s own Dick Tiger and Gene Fullmer of the USA on the 10th of August, 1963, the African Cup of Nations in1980, where the stadium hosted several matches including a semi-final between Algeria and Egypt and the FIFA World Youth Championship.
In 1999, where the he stadium hosted all of the Group C matches, one of the Round of 16 matches, and one of the quarter-final matches, among other events.
While on the visit, the Minister also pledged to ensure that Nigerian athletes’ welfare is top priority before and during competitions.
The Minister’s visit to Ibadan comes as part of his familiarization tour for the inspection of all Federal Government owned stadia in the country
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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support
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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