Featured

President Meets Minister, demands Football Masterplan

Published

3 years ago

June 5, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met with the Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare and the leadership of the Nigerian football Federation at the State House, Abuja where he congratulated Mr. Amaju Pinnick over his election into Fifa Executive council.

According to President Buhari” Let me Congratulate you on the new position Nigeria has secured in the Fifa Council. Mr. Amaju Pinnick, I congratulate you on your election victory and your new position as the third Nigerian to secure such position. I’m delighted, I am sure millions of Nigerians, lovers of football are also delighted.This position on the Fifa council will provide benefits.

This position comes st a time when Nigeria is determined to turn the fortunes of her sports Development around through better infrastructure, more investment in both public , private and government incentives. This is why we re- classified sports from mere recreation to business. A new business model will soon be ready. I believe in the potential of sports to promote peace, unity and enhance good health”.

He concluded thus” I want to see football develop and move in a more dynamic trajectory. Nigeria needs a football master plan that will ensure youth football development”

In his response, Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting the election of Fifa Executive committee member Mr. Melvin Amaju Pinnick .

” Mr President, we thank you for Supporting Amaju’s election into FIFA Executive committee. Nigeria now has a well-deserved seat at the decision table of one of the greatest sports in the world. Thank you also for approving the re-classification of Sports as Business thereby paving the way for a reviewed National Sports Industry Policy.

“A reviewed national sports industry policy that will give our sports development a business model will soon be ready for presentation to you, Mr. President,”.

The Minister added ” We want to attract necessary investments and provision of proper structures in line with the Federal Government plan to deliver a new policy. A football development master plan at all levels is been prepared. We want to use football to fully engage our talented youth”.

The Minister also used the occasion to solicit Support for the National Teams Participation in the Nations Cup and the World Cup as well as several qualifiers/friendlies line up for the team.

Share on Facebook

Featured

FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

1 day ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

Share on Facebook