Sports

Sports, The Best Tool To Cripple Poverty In Nigeria-Amb. Olutoke

Published

4 years ago

February 8, 2022

…Launches Poverty Fighters Handball Club In FCT

Joel Ajayi

The group known as Creativity Poverty Chapter Squad of Abuja, has launched Handball club as well as the first-ever handball supporters club in the country to ameliorate the suffering of many young Nigerians.

At the official launching of Poverty Fighters Handball and supporters’ club, the CEO Creative Leaders’ Concept Limited, Amb. Dr. Edward Olutoke, said that sports is one of the best tool to cripple the monster called poverty in the country, if properly used.

Amb. Olutoke expressed that, the President Ikeja Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture said the poverty fighter squad is using three tools to fight poverty, which are agriculture, Housing and entertainment sports.

According to him, Nigeria was declared as the poverty capital of the world, it’s annoying that they can call a great nation like Nigeria such name, something is fundamentally wrong with that; that is why we are using everything to fight poverty.

“And one of such is sports because, we know it has the capacity to pull people out of poverty and we want to take handball to that level.

“Everything about sports should not be football that is why we are forming the Handball club called poverty fighters Handball club in FCT.

“We want to look at young guys who train endlessly and no headway, they are hopeless, we can put ourselves together and lift them up, that is what we are trying to do with the new team we are forming.

“They will be duly engaged, we are going to put them on salary.”

Talking about the innovation it will bring to Handball in FCT he said: “we have pushed some ideas to the association. The first thing we are going to do, is to turn old parade ground around, that place is like facilities in waste. “We are going to turn it around, I am sure work is going to start by next week to remodel the place and by the grace of God, that place will wear a new look by the end of April, God’s willing.” He said

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Sports

Lagos State Sports Commission, Abbey Rangers FC Seal Groundbreaking Partnership for Grassroots Football Development

Published

10 mins ago

November 5, 2025

The Gleamer

The Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Abbey Rangers Football Club, a renowned community football institution in the United Kingdom, marking a new era in grassroots football development in Nigeria.

Under this strategic alliance, Abbey Rangers FC will collaborate with the Lagos State Sports Commission to implement a robust seven-pillar framework focused on:
talent development, coaching enhancement, sports science, community engagement, policy support, resource mobilization, and infrastructure growth.

The partnership is a first of its kind between Nigeria and a UK-based community football club and aims to create a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive football ecosystem in Lagos State. It promises to unlock new international opportunities for young athletes and coaches, offering pathways for advanced training, mentorship, and global exposure.

Speaking at the official unveiling, Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, described the partnership as “a landmark step in Lagos’ mission to build a sustainable and inclusive sports ecosystem.”

“This collaboration represents a deliberate effort to connect Lagos with global best practices in grassroots football development,” Fatodu stated.

“Abbey Rangers brings proven expertise and community-driven values that align with our vision to nurture world-class talent and position Lagos as a continental hub for youth sports excellence.”

In his remarks, Abbey Rangers Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Nick Riley, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that it reflects the club’s long-standing commitment to community-driven sports development.

“We are proud to partner with Lagos State on this visionary initiative,” Riley said.

“Abbey Rangers has always believed that community football is a powerful tool for development, inclusion, and opportunity. This collaboration allows us to share our grassroots model and experience with one of Africa’s most dynamic cities.”

The LSSC–Abbey Rangers partnership is a reflection of Lagos State’s strategic commitment to developing the next generation of football talent through international collaboration, innovation, and community-based sports programs. It also reaffirms the Commission’s leadership in driving sports diplomacy and youth empowerment across Africa.

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