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Youth and Sports Minister heads Automobile Sub-Committee on Skills

Published

5 years ago

January 17, 2021

Joel Ajayi

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has been named the Chairman of the Automobile Servicing Sub-Committee of the Inter-Ministerial Team on the Training of Youths on Relevant Trades/Skills.

With the assignment, the Minister will drive ideas for skills acquisition in automobile servicing among youth in response to the present administration’s prioritization of skilling and employment of Nigerian youths in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) as well as other government policies and programmes.

This approach is in order to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over a ten-year period.

Mr. Dare’s appointment to the role was part of the outcome of the virtual inaugural meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Team, chaired by the Vice President and Chairman National Council on Skills, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who explained that the essence of constituting the team was to address the challenge of skills matching requires a collaborative long-term strategy along with national sectoral and local approaches.

The Vice President noted that the inauguration of the team has become important in view of the high alarming rate of youth unemployment due to their lack of employability skills which have wider social, psychological, economic, and political stability implications for the country.

The chairman stated that the task is enormous, the challenges are daunting while the expectations are high. The committee will work tirelessly in order to kick-start the modalities and map out workable strategies within the six-month time frame stipulated for it to complete its work.

Other sub-committees of the team are Building and Works headed by the Minister of Works and Housing; Agriculture headed by the Minister of Labour and Employment; Information Technology headed by the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy; Basic Management and Accounting headed by the Minister of Women Affairs; and Training Model Proposal headed by the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment.

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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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