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Who is fit enough to wear Enyeama’s big boot?

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2022

By Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello

At the age of 37, Vincent Enyeama was forced to hang his boots, long before social media obsession became the order of the day in the Super Eagles.

We had the finest in Peter Rufai, Nigeria need not wait for too long and after his retirement, he was replaced by Vincent Enyeama. But seven years after Enyeama’s retirement as goalkeeper and captain, he seems irreplaceable. We have not had a worthy goalkeeper in the Super Eagles. It’s been trial and error.

With great line-up of talented and experienced goalkeepers in Nigeria, Maduka Okoye is not worthy of the number one goalkeeping role. It should be the one.

In the middle of a tournament, a goalkeeper was busy granting interviews on who he wants to date and the kind of girls he fancy, I mean, it doesn’t make any sense…. He got carried away with the praises and the little fame he got at the group stage. I mean girls were all over him, they think he is handsome, and rightfully so, but in football, looks is not enough, it cannot save a goal and win a medal talk less of winning a trophy. AFCON is not a beauty pageant.

Having said that, talents abound in Nigeria and I wonder the rationale behind the well-packaged emptiness of Maduka Okoye. What are his antecedents. We have Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi, Olorunleke Ojo, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and other goalkeepers – experienced and doing well in their respective clubs. Some have been outstanding in the past for the National teams.

Since the retirement of Vincent Enyeama, we have been struggling to get it right in terms of goalkeeping. We had a superb goalkeeper’s trainer in Ike Shorunmu and I wonder why he wasn’t a part of the technical crew that travelled to AFCON.

There are better goalkeepers in the Nigerian league and by all means necessary, they must be invited and utilized. The time is now. Enyeama is a product of the Nigerian league system, he worked on himself, very disciplined and determined and he worked hard for team and country before a Football Federation official frustrated him out of the game.

The incoming coach of the Super Eagles and his technical crew must be on the lookout for a goalkeeper, that’s if it would be necessary because goalkeeping talents ‘dey yanfu yanfu’. Francis Uzoho should be given better chances, he is by far better and more experienced than Maduka Okoye. I am not canceling Okoye out, I mean, just reduce his engagements.

It will be a long journey for us to replace Enyeama but it will definitely happen. I believe we will. We do not have much time, March is almost here for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Who is big enough to wear Enyeama’s boots in Nigeria?

Side note: Now that Peseiro is coming, there are no friendly matches, he hasn’t met with the players, never had a one-on-one with them before and from all indications, he will lead them against Ghana in March. May God help Nigeian football.

Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello is an award-winning international journalist, public speaker, gender rights and peace advocate, and a seasoned sports governance analyst

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Olawande’s 21st Century Skills initiative, A Move Towards Re-fertilization Of Nigerian Youths

Published

2 days ago

November 6, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Transforming the Nigeria youths to equip the current and future generations with 21st century skills is important. The Africa and National Youth Day 2024 is therefore a historic moment to put a need 21st century skills at the forefront toward the the growth and development of all.

Nigeria as a nation has made meaningful progress in education over the past 60 years, with more girls in school and more students in Higher education system than ever before.

Reports showed that School completion rates have increased from 2000 to 2022 at all levels.

Still, these gains are insufficient to prepare Nigerians youth for the 21st century and its fast-changing professional landscape. By 2030, roughly 60 million jobs iin Nigeria and 230 million in Africa will demand digital skills. Classroom practices must shift to meet these future employability needs and nurture creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Nigeria recorded the largest population of young people in the continent of Africa that means a 21st century skills is critical to to equip the current and future generations.

Based on this, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande who has been promoter and advocate of digital skiill even before he became Minister has once again initiate digital literacy programmes, technical skills empowerment and leadership insight and urged young people to actively develop and adopt crucial 21st-century skills to effectively combat the rising issue of unemployment.

When he was Minister Youth for State, he introducing the Youth Development Fund to support young entrepreneurs, implementing the Youth Empowerment Program, training over 10,000 young people in vocational skills, establishing the Youth Mentorship Initiative, pairing young people with experienced professionals, and developing the National Youth Policy, providing a framework for youth development.

He also initiated the “One Youth One Ward” initiative to tackle drug abuse, established the Youth Innovation Hub, hosted the National Youth Conference, rolled out the Youth Volunteer Program, fostered partnerships with private sector organizations amongst others.

He has implement innovative programs, foster strategic partnerships, and demonstrated unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities.

Now Minister of Youth without doubt has been at the forefront of this journey, demonstrating unwavering dedication to empowering Nigerians youth even from his school days.

Comrade Ayodele Olawande made this appeal today in Abuja during the Africa and National Youth Day Celebration with the theme : ‘ Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century’ and sub-theme: ‘Building a Resilient Education System: A New Hope for Nigerian Youth’,

He said such skills like critical thinking, digital literacy, and effective communications are essential tools for navigating the increasingly competitive job markets.

Olawande strongly advocated for the youth of Nigeria to prioritize the investment of their time and put efforts in developing a diverse range of essential skills and competencies by actively engaging in the pursuit that can significantly enhance their employability that will make them attractive candidates before their potential employers.

According to the Minister, “acquiring these skills will equip youth to confidently navigate the complexities and demands of an increasingly competitive job market, where adaptability and innovation are crucial. This proactive approach plays a vital role in addressing the rising unemployment crisis that has been affecting many young Nigerians today.”

“Through dedicated skill development, they can not only improve their job prospects but also lay the groundwork for sustainable career growth and success in the long run. In this rapidly evolving economic landscape, embracing continuous learning and professional development is not just beneficial; it is essential for achieving one’s career aspirations,” he explained.

The Minister further explained that the theme, “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century,” serves as a powerful endorsement of the One Youth Two Skills initiative, adding that it will foster practical skills alongside formal education.

Olawande stated : “This initiative aims to empower youth and create sustainable employment opportunities. Ultimately, the initiative is a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to eliminate unemployment and promote economic growth across the continent”.

In his paper presentation, Professor Ahmed Adamu, a lecturer at Nile University, Abuja, stated that by next year, 85 million jobs will be lost due to technological advancements, while 97 million new jobs are expected to be created.

Professor Adamu stressed that the future job market will heavily favour those individuals who proactively seek to acquire new skills and adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

Adamu said that for one to go far in whatever they are doing, they must be self-disciplined, duly intelligent and have the consistency in learning.

However, the minister of Youth led the teaming youths on a road walk from the Ministry to BMO Event Centre to Celebrate Africa and National Youth Day.

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