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Promoting Players From Lower Cadre, Best Way To Improve National Team- Lawmaker

Published

6 years ago

November 14, 2019

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Chairman, House Committee on Sports Olumide Osoba, said promoting players from the lower cadre is catalyst to improving the team.

Osoba said this following Super Eagles 2-1 victory over the Squirrels of Benin Republic in Uyo in the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers on Wednesday.

Eagles who were trailing 1-0 earlier needed goals from Victor Osimhen and Samuel Kanu to place Nigeria top in group L with three points.

On the performance of young players like Osimhen, Kanu and Samuel Chukwueze as well as finding a replacement for retired striker Odion Ighalo, Osoba was optimistic that the young lads in the team would fill the void.

The lawmaker also lauded Eagles manager Genort Rohr for equipping the squad with players who had featured in age grade competitions for the country.

“As you can see, he is inviting players from the lower cadre and that is the way to go.

“Most countries move their players from age grade competitions to the national team and I think that is what the coach is trying to do now which makes a lot of sense and that is what happens anywhere in the world.

“Germany won the 2017 Confederation Cup with majority of her players moved from the age grade level to the senior team.

“In the end, this is to foster unity, good type of play and more,” Osoba said.

He also praised the team for winning, in spite of trailing 1-0 earlier.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s opponents Lesotho and Sierra Leone finished a one all draw and rests on second and third on the log, with Benin in bottom place.

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

Published

1 week 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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