Sports

Sports Minister Sets up Task Force on Commonwealth Youth Summit, African Region

Published

2 years ago

March 28, 2023

As part of efforts to ensure adequate preparation and successful hosting of the Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit, African Region 2023, the Honourable Minister ofSports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has inaugurated a Task Force ahead of the event.
The Honourable Minister who inaugurated the Task Force today in his office in Abuja said that the Summit is aimed at organizing a platform which will primarily target the youth as the main actors in the development agenda of the African Continent.
He stated that Nigeria’s acceptance to host the Summit was sequel to the request by the Commonwealth Youth Programme and Commonwealth Students Association (a coalition of Student organizations within the Commonwealth) to create a forum for insightful engagement, where youth and students can learn from global leaders in Multinational Public and Private Organisations, among others.
The Summit with the theme; ‘Co-Creating Our Common Future: Leadership in the Digital Age in Africa’, Dare explained, “cannot be more appropriate than now, as we live in a digital world. It will help to position the young people from across Africa to promote their impact in the regional youth event discourse and dialogues. It will also create a forum for insightful engagement, where youth and students can learn from global leaders in Multinationals, Public and Private Organisations, Development Institutions, and Civil Society Organisations” He observed that the present and future success of the Commonwealth, as well as upholding its values, lies with the unwavering commitments and contributions of the students. This, he said, “is large because the young people constitute more than half of Commonwealth’s population, which is estimated at 2.5 billion people”.
The Minister therefore charged the Task force to bring their wealth of experience to bear in ensuring a hitch-free and successful Summit, stressing further that *”as we are all aware, the time is very short, you cannot afford to fail to deliver*⁰
Earlier in his Opening Remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that Nigeria is glad to host the Summit as it provides a window of opportunities for the Youth to explore their talents.
He commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration for accepting to host the Youth and Students Summit, Africa Region in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary therefore called on youth in the region to take advantage of the Summit to develop themselves so as to be employable, enterpreneurial with a view to contributing to the socio-economic development of not only Nigeria but also the African Region.
Responding on behalf of the Task Force, the Coordinator, Commonwealth Youth and Students Summit for African Region, Mr. Marwan Umar Gwamba thanked the Honourable Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, the Top Management Staff of the Ministry and President Muhammadu Buhari in particular, for the privilege given them to serve in this capacity, assuring that they will work assiduously to ensure the success of the event.
The conference, which is scheduled to hold in Abuja from 8th-12th May 2023, is expected to host delegates from 21 African Countries, including the host country, Nigeria.

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Sports

Speaker House Reps, Abbas, Others Thumbs NFF President Over NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Published

11 hours ago

March 19, 2025

The Gleamer

…Says It Will Boost Nigeria’s Economy

By Joel Ajayi

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has commended the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, for initiating the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and new training pitches, describing it as a transformational project that will boost Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Speaker Abbas praised the initiative and pledged the National Assembly’s full support.

“This is a noble project, and the National Assembly will give it full support. I congratulate the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation, and I thank FIFA for agreeing to fund this project,” he stated while cutting the ceremonial tape.

He also assured the House of Representatives’ support for the visionary leadership of Engineer Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF in other key areas where assistance is required.

Leading the FIFA delegation, Gelson Fernandes (Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer/Regional Director, Africa) reiterated FIFA’s commitment to funding the project, emphasizing that infrastructure development has been a priority since the tenure of President Gianni Infantino began.

Expressing his excitement, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau stated that the hostel and training pitches will serve all Nigerian national teams, leagues, and academies.

“Indeed, my joy knows no bounds. From the day my Executive Committee and I were sworn into office in Benin City on Friday, 30th September 2022, I was determined to push this project forward as a legacy for Nigerian football.
“For sustained success, we must provide a conducive environment, infrastructure, equipment, and support systems that enable players and officials to perform at their best.

“Building a players’ hostel and having new training pitches will not only enhance team management but also reduce costs, allowing us to invest more in grassroots development programs.”
Several dignitaries present at the event applauded Gusau’s leadership, determination, and commitment to football development in Nigeria.

The event was well attended by local and international stakeholders, including sports enthusiasts, who witnessed the groundbreaking ceremony of the NFF-FIFA Players’ Hostel and Training Pitches.

In addition to the hostel, the project includes:Two new training pitches (one synthetic and one natural grass). Reconstruction of the existing synthetic pitch.

Also, Spectators’ sitting terraces with 1,838 seats.Two dressing rooms for players, each accommodating 27 players.Two dressing rooms for officials.

The construction is expected to last 24 months and is fully funded by FIFA under its FIFA Forward 3.0 programme.

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