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Sports Ministry to partner Ilaji sports Resort

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development may soon enter into a partnership with the management of Ilaji Sports Resort following the Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare’s high rating of the facilities at Oloyo town Akanran, Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State which he described as world-class.

Speaking after a tour of the facilities which has football pitches, handball court, table Tennis hall, basketball court, golf course, gym, swimming pool, and hotel accommodation, the Minister said” These are world-class facilities that compare with what obtains in Europe and other parts of the world where sports is serious business.

“You have invested so much in these facilities, you may not get the return on your investment now, but you would get it later. These facilities need to be given visibility and put to good use. The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports will be interested in partnering with you so that we can camp our athletes here with minimal distractions”

Mr. Dare avered ” I will soon be sending some of my Directors here on a tour to inspect the facilities. The Ministry would be willing to partner with you for the benefit of our sports. This is in line with our public, private partnership and new sports industry Policy. If we have twenty other Nigerians like you doing this, then we can experience rapid sports development”.

In his response, the Proprietor of Ilaji Sports Resort Engineer Dotun Sanusi said ” I feel humbled to have you visit our facilities. This is our little contribution to building future Stars for our country. We are ready and available to partner with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development so that these facilities can be put to good use. We have an academy where players from ages 4- 25 train by the weekend. Our vision is to produce future Stars for our national teams and those that would also play in Europe. We are still expanding and believe that Nigeria sports can benefit from our noble initiative “

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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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