Sailing Club Seeks Maritime Companies’ Partnership To Promote Water Sports

Published

5 years ago

February 9, 2021

The Commodore of the Navy Sailing Club, Ojo, Lagos State, Tunde Giwa-Daramola has urged maritime companies to partner with the club to enhance water sports.

Giwa-Daramola made the call during a visit to the club by the management of Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC) and Port of Antwerp International last week.

The MMCC delegation was led by its Chairman, Rear Admiral Andrew Okoja (Rtd) who incidentally is the first Club Commodore of the Navy Sailing Club established in 1986.

Kristof Waterschoot, Managing Director, Port of Antwerp International, was among the visitors.

Giwa-Daramola said: “Corporate sponsorship is the oil that runs sports in Nigeria; that is why we need the support of companies such as these to identify and train athletes in water sports.

“Navy Sailing Club, which is the foremost sailing club over the years, has produced athletes who have represented the country at the international level.

“Government alone cannot be saddled with the responsibility of sports development.

“MMCC have gotten a provisional license to establish Escravos Deep Seaport in Nigeria, we want to use this opportunity to talk to them on how they can support us and also engage their staff.’’

Giwa-Daramola said that the club needed equipment, including new boats, for training athletes to sharpen their skills.

The Chairman of MMCC, Okoja, described the club as the social face of the maritime sector.

Okoja that the MMCC would give support to the club to hone the skills of budding athletes.

“This club is the social face of maritime in Nigeria, we will support the club when and where necessary,” he said

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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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