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Sports Minister Inaugurates 30 Caretaker Committees For Sports Federations

Published

3 years ago

May 4, 2021

…charges to be Focused ….AFN left out

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare on Tuesday inaugurated 30 National Sports Federations Caretaker Committee to enable smooth transmission of power from old Boards to the new ones.

This even as he charged the Caretaker Committees of the Sports Federations to be focused in the best interest of the Nation.

It will be recalled that just last week dissolved National Olympic Sports Federations and appointed caretaker committee.

Addressing the caretaker committee at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, Sports Minister Dare said that this is not the time to play politics but the time towards putting Nigeria among the medal winners in Tokyo.

According to him, the dissolution became necessary because of the expiration of their tenures.

“It is also important because of the Tokyo Olympics which is less than 90 days away and which not only requires that all hands are on deck but also because continuity is necessary to ensure preparations for the Games are not hampered in any way.

“The Caretaker Committees are thus specially selected to reflect our aspirations towards podium appearances at the Tokyo Olympics. Nigeria has won just one medal in the last two Olympics, the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The medal, a bronze came in the Football event and this is unacceptable to us as Nation. This is what we must all try to change.

“With the performances of our athletes in pre-Olympics circuit and championships, it is crystal clear we have the talents to excel at the Games and even get close to our performance at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 where we won a total of six medals including the gold in the men’s Football event and the women’s Long Jump. That benchmark is something we must not go below again and the wrangling in some of the Sports Federations going to the Olympics will not help our preparations.

“I believe what Nigerians want is for us to better our performance in 1996 and they should support whatever decisions we take that are geared towards achieving that benchmark of 1996 or even surpass it. My message to the Caretaker Committees is simple.”

He warned that ministry will not hesitate to remove any Caretaker Committee of any of the Federations that work at cross purposes with our aspirations.

“It is also important for the Caretaker Committees to know that their jobs terminate immediately after the Olympics as elections into the Federations will be guided by their constitutions and the Code of Governance.”

Chief Dare also charged all the Federations with Constitutions not yet ratified by their International bodies, the Code of Governance drawn up by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development should do so to enable them conduct their election.

Speaking on behalf of caretaker committee president of Nigeria Basketball Federation Engr. Musa Kida promised that committee will leave no stone unturned to ensure Nigeria fly at highest level of podium in Tokyo come July.

Meanwhile, the boards of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria federations were not inaugurated there was no official reason given by the minister for not inaugurating the AFN but AljazirahNigeria Sports gathered that its as result of a crisis bedeviling the federation for year.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days 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.

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