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Youth Ministry Partners African Development Bank on Job Creation

Published

5 years ago

March 9, 2020

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Mr. Sunday Dare, has said his administration remains focused on finding ways to engage Nigerian youths productively.

He made this assertion when he received a delegation from the African Development Bank (AFDB), on Monday in Abuja.

He revealed that plans have been ongoing with the Bank which had seen the positives in Ministry’s DEEL initiative aimed at ensuring that the Nigerian youth are employable and are equipped with skills necessary for the 21st century.

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister said the initial worry on youth development funding triggered his administration to seek partnerships to its objectives.

“From the point of the mandate that we have as a Ministry, the youth bond in this country worries us, primarily because this Ministry has an unfunded mandate when it comes to youth development.

“Our National Youth Policy (NYP) gives us eleven thematic areas: youth and sports development, youth and science and technology, youth and technology, etc. and in looking at all these with the percentage of budget, we have to implement then you know how tough it is for us which has made us aggressive in seeking out for partners.”

He expressed optimism that the goals of the DEEL initiative will be achieved as soon as the program kicks off.

In their response, the leader of the delegation pledged that the Bank would work for hand in hand with the Ministry to foster development in ICT, Agriculture, and Industrialization.

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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