Hon. Awopetu reiterates Ekiti State government’s committment towards youth, sports development

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development in Ekiti State, Hon. Michael Awopetu has reiterated the State government commitment towards youth and sports development.

Hon. Awopetu said this in his office on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.

He said the Dr. Kayode Fayemi led administration is committed to developing and investing in youth in the State to develop their talent and skills not only in sports but in other sector.

“We’re are committed to engaging these youths in various skills to unleash their potential,” said Awopetu.

“We’ve done well so far to engage our youths with different sporting activities and you can see it paying off considering the successes we have achieved within and outside the shores of the country.

“If you take a cursory look at our programs and youth engagement in sports so far, you will understand that we have not only made progress but more of youth involvement in sports and it’s paying off for us in the State.

“Our strategic planning to carve a road map for sports development and administration in the State is also paying off considering 

what we use to have in the past. We will not stop at this but continue to reiterate our committment in developing sports,” Awopetu maintained.

Signed,

Gbenga Adeleye

Media Office of the Hon. Commissioner For Youth and Sports, Ekiti State.

"OrangeElmpics is an initiative using sports to advocate against GBV" - Aderonke Bello

 

In commemoration of the 2021 edition of 16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence which ends today, FAME Foundation in conjunction with Youth and Sports Development Ministry organized ORANGElympics, a line-up of sporting activities that used sports as a tool to campaign against the menace of Gender Based Violence.

This event provided a platform for women to advocate against GBV and engage men in the fight against Gender-Based Violence.

 Men and women, boys and girls were educated on GBV, its adverse effects, and ways to end GBV in our society. Aside sporting activities, the event involves interactive sessions, social media conversations, school and community outreaches.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of violence, particularly on women and young girls. 

The campaign starts on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concludes on December 10, Human Rights Day.

 This year’s theme emphasizes the end to end every form of Gender-Based Violence.

Speaking on this year’s theme, Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, says, it is time  for everyone to rise up and ensure an end to GBV, “I am calling every Nigerian, both young and old to strive towards a gender based violence free society,  (GBV) is a global problem affecting millions of women and girls every year, it threatens lives, undermines families and communities, and impedes the progress of nations. 

Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, the Executive Director of FAME Foundation, stated that the PLAY it DREAM it Initiative which is currently ongoing, is using sport as a tool to tackle gender issues such as child marriages and lack of education amongst others in the society and also to mentor Internally Displaced Girls.

“The fight against GBV cannot be won without the enlistment of men and boys as allies. ORANGElympics is an initiative using sports to advocate against GBV and also educate and involve both men and women, in the fight towards ending the global menace of GBV”,

“FAME Foundation condemns every form of gender-based violence and calls on both men and women, government, organizations, and CSOs to stand together as a united force and commit towards ending gender-based violence Now”

She also reiterated thar sports has helped actualize the 16 Days of Acitivism theme aimed at ending Gender Based Vioelnce in Sports and other aspects of life.

ORANGElympics  engaged top Nigerian Athletes like Jude Ighalo, Desire Oparanozie, Olumide Oyedeji and others in campaign against GBV which has tripled in number since Covid19 lockdown. 

Also, physical activities like advocacy campaigns to rural communities, schools enlightening people on the dangers of GBV and why it had to end now!

Sunday Dare and his many landmark achievements in Nigeria Youth and Sports Development

He is a man that will be remembered for his many legacies even while in office. He starts what others never thought of. In just under 3 years of his administration, Sports minister Sunday Dare has broken records and has given stakeholders too many to remember. 

His staff call him Mr Record Breaker, his admirers call him Mr Achiever, his colleagues call him the pacesetter, his bosses call him the silent achiever and some others just love to call him the BRAINBOX. 

Welcome to the World of Sunday Akin Dare. A man who has continued to thrive where others failed. 

Today, this reporter has taken time to highlight FIVE of Sunday Dare's outstanding achievements. These are five of the best. The very best. Read along. 

1. THE NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

For the very first time in the history of Nigeria youth and sports Ministry, there came a minister who has decided to create a platform for Nigeria youths to air their views, state their grievances and be heard by their leaders. On Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria's vice president Yemi Osinbajo was special guest of honor as youths and delegates from all parts of the country converged on Abuja. The Vice president, used the ocassion of the conference to appeal to Nigeria youths to channel their energies into meaningful ventures and desist from negative vices like kidnapping, armed robbery, drug abuse and terrorism. He advised them to always see dialogue as a means of settling whatever grievances they have with government instead of indulging in violence. 

2. THE NATIONAL YOUTH INVESTMENT FUND

For the very first time in the history of the youth and sports Ministry, the federal government of Nigeria approved 75billon naira for the National Youth Investment Fund. That too, is one of the landmark achievements of Chief Sunday Dare. On assumption of office in 2019, Dare said his priority us to improve the lives of Nigeria youths and he took the bold step by coming up with an initiative that allows Nigeria youths to bring up creative ideas that government will support with small loans. That way, many have started doing small businesses instead of waiting for white collar jobs.

3. NYSC SALARY INCREMENT

Yes it happened after a proposal submitted by Sunday Dare got express approval from the presidency. Before his appointment as Nigerua sports minister, Youth corpers in the country were on a monthly take home of 19,800 naira but Sunday Dare came and changed their story. Presently, the take home pay for Nigeria youth corpers is 33,000 naira monthly. 

4. NIGERIA MADE HISTORY AT WORLD ATHLETICS UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIP

Nigeria’s U-20 track and field athletes made history at the biennial World Athletics U20 championships after finishing third on the overall medals table with an unprecedented haul of four gold and three bronze medals.

The best Nigeria had achieved on the medals table prior to the Kenya event, was her seventh-placed finish at the third edition of the championship in 1990 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where they won two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

The four gold medals won at the championships in Nairobi, Kenya is the highest Nigeria has won, two more than the country has ever won in any edition of the championships.

Nigeria’s 4x400m mixed relay team began the unprecedented haul with its historic, championships record-setting performance (3:19.70CR) on the opening day of the championships.

5. INTRODUCTION OF THE ADOPT A SPORT OR AN ATHLETE INITIATIVE

4. The Sports Ministry under the leadership of Sunday Dare developed and implemented a Private Public Partnership model for sports, under the 'Adopt an Athlete' initiative about 20 athletes were adopted with some getting $10,000 and others $20,000.

Also about Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars($230,000) was raised for the men and women basketball teams under this initiative, the Ministry was also able to secure direct financial support for about 22 Nigerian athletes towards their training for the Olympics and the under 20 World championship. 

These are just a few of the many brilliant achievements of the ministry under Sunday Dare. Remember that it was under this administration that the National stadium Abuja and Lagos that were left moribund for years, came back to life. Dare got the private sector to begin work and as at last week, the Moshood Abiola stadium in Abuja is almost 96% completed and that of Lagos is undergoing steady progress. He also introduced  a special trust fund to help retired Nigeria sports men and women. 

In the years to come, the story of Nigeria youth and sports development when told, will not be complete without a mention of this Oyo state born administrator who came, saw and has conquered where his predecessors failed.

6th National Youth Games get underway in Ilorin

 

The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mallam Ismalia Abubakar has declared the sixth edition of the National Youth Games open at the University of Ilorin. 

Following the declaration was a match pass parade by different States, that caught the admiration of the spectators. The opening ceremony was colourful and exciting with great display by all participants.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare said, “This edition of National Youth Games will be serving the purpose of which it was strategically designed by the Ministry. Basically, the concept of National Youth Games is to serve as an effective platform for talent identification, development and as well as a level playing ground for young athletes, ranging from age 15 and below to achieve excellence in sports."

Dare further said that this year’s edition of the games is unique as it will produce formidable athletes that will represent Nigeria at the Africa Youth Games in Ethiopia 2022 and the next Youth Olympics games in Dakar, Senegal. 

The Minister then urged all concerned National Sports Federations to take advantage of the games and guide their sports to developmental objective and further develop the identified talents to the benefit of the country.

National Youth Games: Sports Directors, LOC give verdict on Unilorin readiness

The Local Organizing Committee(LOC) of the 2021 National Youth Games are satisfied with the level of preparedness of University of Ilorin ahead of the competition.

Members of the Sports Directors' forum also expressed their delight at the arrangements in place for the games.

Alhaji Ladan, the Sports Director of Kebbi State and Wodi Braveman, his counterpart from Bayelsa State also gave thumbs up to the Local Organizing Committee for their swift reaction in getting more options for the accomodation of athletes and officials when it was discovered that some hostels at the University of Ilorin were not available.

"We commend the LOC and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports for their quick thinking in making alternate accommodation arrangements for the athletes at the Kwara State Polytechnic which has some newly built hostels when it was discovered that some students at the University of Ilorin were still in session," the Directors chorused.

The former chairman of the Kwara State Sports Council, Tunde Kazeem and the subdean of student affairs at the University were also full of praise for the organizers.

The Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr Bode Durotoye has also confirmed a slight adjustment to the time line of the National Youth Games with the opening ceremony initially scheduled for Wednesday, 13th October, 2021, now moved to Thursday, 14th October, 2021.

Young athletes compete in 37 sporting events as National Youth Games begin in Ilorin

The sixth edition of the National Youth Games will begin in Ilorin, Kwara State on Wednesday, the 13th of October, 2021. Thirty seven sports will be competed in at the games which will hold at the University of Ilorin.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare alongside the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Isma'il Abubakar are expected at the opening ceremony of the event.

Over five thousand participants including athletes, coaches and technical officials as well as other stakeholders will be part of the weeklong competition.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare says the National Youth Games is one of the most important programmes in his Ministry because of the opportunities to identify raw talents at an early age and provide proper guidance for them.

Corroborating the Minister, the Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Sports Ministry, Dr. Bode Durotoye gave the example of Odunayo Adekuoroye, one of Nigeria's elite wrestlers who was discovered at an earlier edition of the games.

"We have many examples but let me just use a prominent one of the wrestler Odunayo Adekuoroye. She was discovered at an earlier edition of the national youth games and see how her profile has risen since then.

"We have some young talents that were here a few years ago who have now represented Nigeria in International competitions. We are looking forward to discovering more of such talents in Ilorin this week," Durotoye said.

Sports Minister inaugurates federation presidents, boards

... Business and Technical Workshop Session Underway

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare Friday inaugurated the Presidents and boards of Sports Federations charging them to roll up their sleeves for the task of deepening development of Sports in Nigeria. 

The Minister while congratulating the new board executives emphasized the need for them to work as a team while restating the need to be guided by established processes, procedures and Code of Governance of National Sports Federations in the discharge of their responsibilities. “As you are aware, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development’s core responsibilities are focused at facilitating youth and sport development through the establishment of a conducive policy environment that provides strategic support systems and sport policy implementation, amongst other functions. The Ministry coordinates the formulation and review of policies and legislation in order to provide a framework for effective implementation of youth and sports programs”, Dare reaffirmed. 

“Let me also stress that the future of the various sports is now in your hands, the career of our young athletes under your Federations is now in your hands and history will judge you how you have positively or otherwise impacted Sports in your respective governing bodies”, the Minister added. 

In line with the reclassification of sports from recreation to business as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister revealed that a new business orientation will be pursued, tasking the board of each Federation to adopt and bring about a business approach to its operations. Dare further gave a marching order to the newly inaugurated 28 Sports Federations to within six months begin the process of formulating the Federations’ constitution in line with the dictates of various international Federations with the inputs and guidance of the Ministry to ensure domestication and operation in tandem with Nigerian laws and Sports Industry policy.

The Minister charged the board of Federations to settle down to business and avoid the acrimonious relationships that beset some associations in the past. He intimated the new Executives that a 2-day technical and business workshop for capacity building will be organized in collaboration with the Edo State Government, and held in Edo State in the coming weeks.

Nigeria at 61: Only with deliberate, scalable investment in our youth can Nigeria become greater - Sunday Dare

 

Today, Friday, October 1, 2021, as Nigeria clocks 61 years of independence, It has been 61 years of remarkable journey characterised by challenges, struggles and triumphs.

As the Minister of Youth and Sports Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I pledge my loyalty to Nigeria and look to her future with hope and optimism.

As a Ministry, we have adopted a number of programmes specially designed to uplift our youth, and the good news is that these programmes are already yielding positive results.

Nigeria's greatest natural resource is her youth. Only with deliberate, scalable investment in our youth can Nigeria become greater than she is today.

Our DEEL initiative which focuses on Digital Literacy and Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship, Employability and Leadership has led to some crucial breakthrough collaborations and partnerships with some technological giants and leading E-Commerce solutions platforms. These partnerships are guaranteed to get at least 200,000 youth trained and placed in Entrepreneurship by 2023. The Ministry’s Training into Enterprise continues to deliver results across the country. We appreciate many other Ministries, Departments and Agencies who also contribute to the training and empowerment of the youth in Nigeria. 

A lot of our youth are  being empowered through the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund(NYIF). Over 5,225 have benefited and recently over 20,000’have been screened and shortlisted for the final stage of training and funds disbursement. 

In the area of sports development, youth oriented programmes like the 'Adopt-an-Athlete' and 'Talent Hunt Program initiatives have been central to all our activities. These initiatives have led to podium finishes at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Games, as well as the World U-20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya with Nigeria hauling 19 medals from these competitions. Just recently, the Nigeria women basket ball team, D’Tigress won the Afro Basketball Gold for the 3rd consecutive time making them the best women basketball team in Africa. 

Many young talents in all sports have been identified, a lot more will be identified. These talents will be adopted, harnessed, supported, financed and exposed to the best facilities, coaching and training programmes possible so they can become world beaters in the near future.

As a Ministry, we have also embarked on an aggressive drive to upgrade our sporting facilities so that our sports men and women can utilise them optimally.

The national stadia in Lagos and Abuja have had the football pitches of their mainbowls regrassed; because we know that great talents can only be birthed in an enabling environment and our infrastructure is key to creating it.

In addition, towards ensuring that sports enthusiasts at the grassroots have access to quality sporting facilities, the football pitch of the Daura Township Stadium in Daura, Katsina State has been completely rehabilitated and boasts of having one of the most modern synthetic AstroTurf pitches in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development also ensured the classification of sports as a business and not mere recreation.

We believe more glorious years are ahead for the Nigerian youth in all spheres of their endeavours.

Happy 61st independence anniversary Nigeria!

Youth Minister to speak at 76th UN General Assembly

On Thursday, 23rd September, the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, will deliver a keynote address at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Side Event on Social Business, Youth and Technology.

The address, which will be delivered virtually, will focus on "Social Business Towards a Sustainable Revival of Post-Covid 19 Economy." The Minister is expected to draw on his extensive wealth of experience in engaging with young business owners, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators across the African continent and beyond.

This is the second time in two years that Mr. Dare has been asked to speak at this particular high-level event. In his keynote address at the 74th UNGA, he said the Youth in Africa’s biggest nation, Nigeria, are in a position to help solve major challenges of the world. He added that Nigeria will rely increasingly on its Youth population to develop smart products and solutions to conquer the challenges and problems of climate change, economic slowdown, unemployment and poverty.

“I am indeed honoured to be speaking at this very important event and I'm grateful for the platform to share some of the lessons I have learnt in the last 20 months," Mr. Dare said. "While the pandemic has tested every firbe of human capacity, it is heart-warming to see so many young people using their ingenuity for social causes and helping others in need. It is their stories that I want the world to hear."

To join the conversation, interested Nigerians are encouraged to log on to @yunuscentre or @YouthinkCenter on Facebook at 1pm Nigerian Time. They can also use the hashtags #Together4SDG, #SocialBusiness4SDG, and #Youth4SDG.

Nigeria’s sports glory is with the youth -Sports Minister

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare says the glory and future successes of Nigeria in sports lie in her youth.

Speaking at the end of the Sapetro Future Tennis Championships which held at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Court, Lagos on Saturday, Dare expressed his delight and optimism in a glorious future for Nigerian sports after watching youngsters display talents in tennis. 

The Minister said what he saw in the final of the championships has reinforced his belief that the focus of his ministry on grassroots sports development was not misplaced.

 

"We had our focus when we came in, we said grassroot sports development was critical and embedded in that grassroot sports development is 'Talent Hunt'," Dare opened up to newsmen after the final game of the Championships.

 "Hunting for those talents and supporting them. That is why this is very important and I make it a point of duty to attend tournaments of this nature that have very young people. The future of Sports is in the young people.

"As we speak, under our Talent Hunt programme, we have almost a dozen young people  between the ages of 8-12. I have seen some of them in action today and was really impressed and happy with them and they will very soon start a programme working through the federations."

In conclusion, Mr. Sunday Dare revealed that about two or three more outstanding talents in tennis spotted at the Championships will join the Talent Hunt programme of the Ministry immediately.

ABC: "Lagos State Government are a strong pillar of support for Nigerian football" - Sunday Dare

The Lagos State Government has been commended for the successes recorded so far at the ongoing Aisha Buhari invitational tournament also  called the Aisha Buhari Cup.

The Governor Babajide Sanwoolu led administration has also been applauded for its support for football evidenced by their hosting of the men's senior national football team- the Super Eagles.

Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare remarked on Thursday that a lot of the successes recorded by the football teams in recent times would not have happened if not for the support of the Centre of Excellence- Lagos.

"Lagos State Government are a strong pillar of support for Nigerian football," Dare disclosed in his speech during the visit of the delegation from the world soccer governing body, FIFA, to President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

"Governor Babajide Sanwoolu and his team left no stones unturned. They have been a rock of support for our national teams - Super Eagles, Super Falcons and all the positive news about the ongoing Aisha Buhari Cup would not have been without them.

"It is important that we appreciate them for what they are doing now as well as praise and encourage them for the laudable plans in place for the future."

Governor Sanwoolu had revealed at the special dinner organised by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) for the delegation of FIFA led by its President Gianni Infantino that the nine mini stadia would be built across the State soon.

He said these stadia would help in talent discovery, exposure and management in Lagos State.

Kida confirms interest to run for NBBF presidency again

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Nigeria Basketball Federation NBBF, Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida, has expressed his readiness to serve in the top position of Basketball in the country.

Kida made the declaration in Abuja, at a Press conference ahead of the 2021 Basketball Premier League seasons which dunks off simultaneously in the Atlantic and Savannah conferences.

"For me, what is important to go into the elections is for us to be able to make this programmes very sustainable. In my consultations, the last four years has been interesting. Basketball is a sport that Nigerians are expecting Nigeria to go out and win without excuses. So for me, we are on a good path. I am ready to serve in whatever capacity that I can in order to put these structures in place; so that Nigerian Basketball will be better."

Kida, also noted that position does not matter. "President or not, the most important thing is to sustain the legacy already achieved. I am ready to serve if the NBBF finds me fit" Kida said .

National Youth Games: Sports ministry vows to go hard on age cheats, false claims of disability

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has warned against age cheats and other sharp practices ahead of the National Youth Games scheduled for October 2021 in Ilorin, Kwara State, vowing to sanction any state found culpable.  

Director of Grassroots Sports Development in the Ministry, Dr Bode Durotoye stated that the 2021 Youth Games has been going on as scheduled in the timeline. He revealed that the Zonal Elimination for eight team sports has just been concluded in the six geo-political zones in the country.

Durotoye said there will be sanctions against states and athletes that falsify age, engage in the use of performance enhancing substances, misrepresent the disability status of special athletes amongst others.

The National Youth Games is Scheduled to hold from 10th to 19th of October 2021 in Ilorin, Kwara state. 

All the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to participate in the one weeklong annual sporting event, which is an avenue for discovering young talents.

Mohammed Manga

Director (Press & Public Relations)

September 7, 2021

Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development

Nigerian government raises investment in youth to boost economy

The Federal Government has reassured that it will continue to harness youth potentials in the country with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and development.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare disclosed this  in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the six-week training on Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), organised by the Ministry across the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He said deliberate and strategic investment in young people is required for the high percentage of the youth population in the country to become a demographic dividend.

“When the youth are positively engaged, there will be a reduction in the indices of crime and delinquency, which are factors that are inimical to national development efforts”, Dare said.

He stated that the approach of the Ministry has been the inclusion of youth employment as a priority segment of the National Youth Policy (NYP) for which a framework for implementation has been provided in the Nigerian Youth Employment Plan (NYEP), adding that the agenda which will be launched in the next few weeks, will deliver a comprehensive approach to youth employment interventions through multi sector collaborations, that emphasize on the Four Es: Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation and Equal Opportunity.

“This framework will ensure the inclusion of partners across sectors and will create a robust partnership base through my Ministry that will ensure wider reach of youth employment programmes across the country. With new challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions and a robust partnership are required to support youth participation in the process of rebuilding through deliberate and strategic investment that will lead to sustainable economic growth and transformation”, the Minister added.

According to him, the programme is an expression of the priority focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration which is to among other things ensure “job creation for youth and to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years”.

He therefore called on all Nigerian youth to take up the challenge for self-development that will support their inclusion in nation building, stating further that youth have the potentials, talents and energy for skills development and other opportunities that will give them leverage in the global economy.

Mr. Dare assured further that the present Administration is committed to the task of youth development and will continue to provide an enabling environment and innovative solutions to challenges of youth in the country.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako while distributing starter packs and other empowerment tools to the participants at the closing ceremony in Abuja, stated that the Ministry will continue to ensure full implementation of the programmes and projects of the Federal Government in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration.

He explained that the Ministry will continue to monitor their progress periodically to provide guidance and ensure compliance in line with the objectives of the programme.

Mr. Anako who applauded the Federal Government on its various interventions on youth empowerment, particularly the DEEL initiative which was conceived and launched by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that the programme was designed to ensure a coordinated mechanism that will employ strategies to enhance the competitive aged of Nigerian youth with a focus on Digital Skills, Employability, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentoring.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry, Mr. Gbenga Momoh  assured that participants will put the skills they acquired during the training into practice for the purpose of self-development so as to enhance economic growth.