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World Athletic Recognition claim By Impeached Gusua Is manipulated-AFN President

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2020

Findings from routine checks show that the claim of affirmation by impeached Ibrahim Gusau as Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) President, by World Athletics is completely false.

According to AFN President, Olamide George, he accused Shehu Ibrahim Gusau to have hijacked the password to the account of the AFN which gives him access to the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) to manipulate and change information that suites him.

“There is a code, which is the password of the federation’s website, which he (Gusau) hijacked from the former secretary. Since then, he has access to the CAA (Confederation of African Athletics), he can go and put whatever he can put, nevertheless, the IAAF (now WA) is looking into the matter,” George told The PUNCH.

“When you look at other countries in Africa, there is no country using the nomenclature General Director, other countries use Secretary General, these are questions that are begging for answers.

“In line with the AFN constitution, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development shall appoint the secretary for the federation.”

Reliable source from the ministry of sports revealed that Pepple whose name appeared on the WA website as AFN Secretary cannot be the secretary because he is not working with the ministry.

“For instance, there is no way Pepple a non- staff of the Ministry can be Secretary General because it contravenes the provisions of the code of governance to which all federations subscribe to. The Ministry appoints the treasurer and Secretary General.” A reliable source told BSN Sports.

“The AFN constitution which was adopted by its Congress in November 2017 via article 8.7.2 vested the power to appoint and renumerate the Secretary General of the federation in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria funds the activities of the AFN and 37 other sports federations established under the laws of Nigeria and each federation is run by its elected board members in accordance with its constitution without any form of interference.

“The authentic Secretary General is Adeniyi Beyioku. The WA is fully abreast of the development and also CAA over board developments which members are left to resolve. If unresolved the laid down process is very clear – a fact finding mission.

The reliable sources also revealed that the Ministry is about filing a strongly worded petition to World Athletics on behalf of the Nigerian government on the recent violations of the code of governance and the use of its website to perpetrate unwholesome acts.

The source insists they will not recognize or work with Gusau or Sunday Adeleye. The source added that the federal government is determined to pursue this case to a logical conclusion.

“Gusau has sued the federal government and the ministry over his impeachment. In less two years Gusau has been impeached twice. In 2019 June it took the Ministry to rescue him from being impeached by the same board members.” The source told BSN Sports

The sources also revealed that the ministry asked Gusau to account for government funds he received on behalf of AFN for various tournaments and championships. “It is government and public funds and he must account for it.” He said.

“He must also account for how and how he spent the $3,000 dollars money for the IAAF overpayment saga which he ought not to have touched.” He concluded.

With both factions set to hold the All Comers Athletics Competition in Akure, Ondo State and Ozoro, Delta State for the George and Gusau groups respectively this weekend, George said the population of athletes already in Akure shows he has the support of athletes in the country.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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