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Sunday Dare Assumes Office As New Sports Minister, Seeks Stakeholders Support

Published

6 years ago

August 21, 2019

The Gleamer

Sunday Dare Assumes Office As New Sports Minister, Seeks Stakeholders Support

…Promise to face-lift the Sports sector

Joel Ajayi

The newly appointed Minister of Youth and Sports Mr Sunday Akin Dare who resumed duty on Wednesday shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari Inagurated the new cabinets has urged all the youth and Sports stakeholders spare no effort to face lift the Sports sector in the country and beyond.

Mr Dare gave the charge in Abuja on Wednesday during his first meeting with all agencies as well as all stakeholders under the ministry saying the sports development remain the critical agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, As you can see the work have started now so let us be ready, let us roll our sleeves and let us work together as a team.

“The President agenda stand on three legs, that is security, revertilization of economy and fight against corruption.

“There also eleven key areas the President is intend to energies in the next four years. At center of that is the lifting of 100million Nigerian out of poverty.

“When we look at our Population we know that the youth stand on top, so the youth development is the key to the success of any government.

“We have youth, we have sports so, our mandate is clear, we must broaden our horizing, we must deepen our work and quality of what we bring to the table.”

Speaking further: I am not unaware of challenges, controversies and development within this ministry that is dear to heart of every Nigerian.

“Beyond soccer, we have others sports but heart work is youth development beyond sports.

“There other way you can develop the youth, we can give them digital skills, we can help them with their status, so we will be thinking outside the box.”

Mr Dare also promised to re-write the fortune of Youth and sports in the country: “We shall find a way of bringing sports from back pages to the front pages with positive news.

“We are going to have crucial conversation, some of them might be confrontation, I will also ask some difficult questions, I will try to extract best out of everyone. Because my mandate is to ensure this country show up the best among the best country in the world in every areas.

“Youth and sports development is critical to Buhari’s agenda.

“Beyond that, we have a youth population that is restless, youth that is hyper that is our mandate but to achieve that we need to come and work together as one.

We also intends to strength inter-ministerial collaboration, we shall go to ministries that we can work together, by putting skills and resources together to make huge success in this assignment.” He assured.

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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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