Sports

Sports Minister Meets Top Management Staff, Presents New Vision For Sports To Improve Its Value Proposition

Published

11 months ago

November 30, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has met and brainstormed with the Top Management Staff of his Ministry wherein he presented a draft copy of a new vision for Nigerian Sports (2023-2027) for a critical review and subsequent adoption for full implementation with a view to rebranding the nation’s sports profile, improve its value proposition map so as to make it fit into templates on which the future of sports shall depend in the country.

The interactive session, which was held today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, was part of the activities marking his one hundred days in office.

Senator Owan Enoh informed the Management that the capacity of sports to transform and improve the physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing of individuals and the significant role that it plays in cultures and communities around the world are enough to justify huge investments in the sector.

He stated that the new vision of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development under his watch is to establish a thriving sports industry that will contribute about 5-7 percent to the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with an annual net evaluation of about 3 to 4 billion dollars by 2027.

The Minister said I envision the enablement of a multi-trillion naira sports industry that promotes excellence in sports and fosters talent development.

Senator Owan Enoh explained that, although the development community had marginalized sports, he aligned himself with the unfolding international movement which recognizes that sports do not have to compete with other development priorities but can instead, be a powerful means for addressing them.

What was needed to surmount the challenges facing sports in Nigeria, the Minister added, is the right strategy to set it in the right direction.

He observed that going by contemporary global realities, sports is a sector that transcends mere recreation to a business where private sector investors can commit their resources and make outstanding profits.

This, he said, was one of the reasons why the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration in its Renewed Hope Agenda endorsed the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) approved by the immediate past administration which classified sports as a business and not just a mere recreation as well as created a separate Ministry of Sports Development to holistically drive the sector with a view to providing job opportunities for our teeming youth, alleviate poverty amongst them and also ensure a peaceful and safe environment for the development of the nation.

Senator Owan Enoh

stated that one of the key stakeholders that will ensure the realization of this policy objective of government is the seasoned technocrats in the Ministry who he said over the years, made valuable contributions in the implementation of the policies, programs, and initiatives of the government.

He also noted that sustained increase in private and corporate sector participation in various sectors of

Nigeria’s economy makes it one of the fastest growing aspects of the global economy of which the most unifying sector in the world which he said is sports, if given the needed attention and recognition, will assuage the current economic challenges facing the country.

He assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the development of sports in Nigeria, adding that under his stewardship, the Ministry will identify and activate an enabling welfare system that will cater to serving and retired athletes, activate the sports business industry as well as funding of sports development as some of the focus areas of the Ministry.

The Minister, therefore, called on the Ministry’s Management Staff to bring in their wealth of experience and expertise to bear in ensuring that the new vision for Nigerian Sports Development is not only fully implemented but also provides the desired objectives of the present administration.

Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary overseeing the Federal Ministries of Sports and Youth Development Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar assured that the Management will not only support the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh in his efforts towards repositioning the sector for the benefit of the Nigerian economy and our teeming youth but also ensure the full implementation of the new vision in line with the policy thrust of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration.

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Sports

Gusau Praises President Tinubu, ValueJet crew for diligence and endurance

Published

3 days ago

October 15, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed the deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya.

On Monday, Mr. President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back to home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent. Mr. President also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players.

“We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement. These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifice they make in representing this great country.

“The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria.

“Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.”

Gusau, who led the delegation to Libya, also commended the captain and crew of the ValueJet aircraft that flew the delegation to and from that country, saying that their patience, diligence, good manners, warmth and endurance made the trip less arduous for the contingent.

“The captain (Mr. Abdul-Latif) and crew were awesome. I must commend, in particular, the captain. He did his job professionally and with a touch of excellence, and even intervened at a point to talk to the airport operatives to allow the NFF leadership to go outside the airport to find a way to hire vehicles for the team. As a fellow North African (Tunisian) who had worked in Libya previously, they were ready to offer him hotel accommodation but not any other member of the crew or any Nigerian, as all the hotels in the city disclosed that they had strict orders not to welcome any Nigerian nationality. He refused their offer and rather opted to sleep in the aircraft with the rest of the crew.

“The captain and crew showed great maturity and kindness. We will never forget them.”

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