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PERC To Launch New Data On COVID-19 Impact On African Communities Sept., 24th

Published

5 years ago

September 18, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Partnership for Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 PERC is set to launch to a regional report Pandemic Impact on African Communities come Thursday, 24th of September 2020.

PERC a consortium of global public health organizations and private sector firms that includes Africa CDC, suggests that the pandemic is affecting the poorest and most vulnerable people most, and widened inequalities along existing lines.

In a released issued on Friday by the Associate Director, Communications “for the Global Health Advocacy Incubator” Rolf Rosenkranz reveals that new data from 18 Member States showed how the pandemic continues to impact communities, including disrupting essential health services.

According to the statement, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact societies, not only in terms of health but also in social and economic conditions and day-to-day life.

“This document provides the findings from public opinion polls in 18 African Union Member States to understand the public’s knowledge, risk perception, attitudes, and access to information, reactions, behaviors, and practices related to COVID-19.

“Support and adherence for personal Public Health and Social Measures (PHSMs) such as washing hands are relatively strong. Both support and adherence are relatively lower for public gathering PHSMs, and lowest for stay-at-home orders that restrict economic mobility.

“The pandemic has taken a heavy toll on essential health services. Of those requiring health care services (48% of the sample), 45% have delayed, skipped, or were unable to obtain services required. This proportion is slightly higher among those who report having long-standing health issues.

“Respondents reported considerable burdens from lost income and food insecurity. Overall, seven in ten respondents indicated they have experienced a barrier to accessing food, such as high prices or lower income. A majority of those polled said their income is lower now compared to this time last year, and two in five respondents reported spending more hours on unpaid work such as childcare.

“The countries includes the English, French and/or Portuguese countries comprises; Cameroon, DRC, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.”

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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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