Olympic Games: National Assembly decries lack of transparency in allocation of intervention funds

 

The 10th National Assembly has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the allocation of intervention funds for the 2024 Olympic Games to the Ministry of Sports Development.

The Nigeria Government doled out billions of naira each time the country participated in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. 

The Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon. Ekene Adams frowned at the situation where most Sports Federation sponsored their athletes to qualify for Olympic Games without Ministry's support but the Sports Ministry receives money from the government on behalf of the sports federations once they have qualified. 

He said, “80% of the National Sports Federation don't get a dime from the funds allocated for them in the budget in each calendar year.”

He therefore advised the Federal Government to ensure that the intervention funds are scrutinised by the National Assembly before they are passed.

“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu led government prioritised transparency and accountability in allocation of funds and the intervention funds for the Olympic Games should follow the same procedure by involving the National Assembly in the scrutiny of the funds. This will ensure that the athletes, coaches and Presidents of the Federations benefit from the funds.

"Transparency in the process is crucial to ensure that the funds are used effectively and efficiently for the development of Sports in Nigeria. Without proper oversight, there is a risk they the funds could be mismanaged or misappropriated leading to waste of resources and missed opportunity to support the dedicated Nigerian athletes who put the country's name on the global map."

He further said, “For instance, foreign athletes who spent their hard-earned money on flight to and fro Ghana for African Games have not received the refund, also, coaches and many other athletes have not received their monetary prize for medals won at the All African Games in Ghana.

“The delay in settlement of these funds will further dampen the spirits of the athletes which in turn may affect Nigeria's performance at the Olympics.

"We must do everything to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope agenda.

The President has been doing everything in making sure that Nigeria is placed among the best in the world and the 10th National Assembly shares same with the President. Therefore, the struggle to place the country among the best should not be left to the Presidency alone."

Signed:

Media Team, Chairman House Committee On Sports

House of Reps member, Hon. Ekene Adams appoints veteran sports journalists as media aides

Towards ensuring quality information flow and the actualization of his mission and vision,  Chairman House Committee on Sports, Honourable Ekene Adams Abubakar, has appointed his Media Assistants.

Honourable Ekene Adams confirmed Tunde Shamsudeen as head of his 4-man media team in an official letter dated 9th of August, 2023.

According to him, Shamsudeen's profile, professionalism, loyalty, versatility, media network power, passion for sports made him the best choice for the job.

Shamsudeen is the General Coordinator of the most glamorous Pre-Season Football Championship (Ogunjobi Gold Cup) in Nigeria.

He is happily married to Mrs Olamide Shamsudeen and the union is blessed with a daughter. 

Shamsudeen, born and bred in Minna, Niger State capital studied Mass Communication at The Polytechnic, Ibadan and speaks English, Hausa and Yoruba fluently.

He started his journalism career with Osun Network Newspaper, worked as Media Officer of the defunct Anambra United,  Correspondent at The Sun Newspaper, SoccerStar (now Sporting Sun), Media Officer of Prime FC now Osun United. He also worked with Sportalkafrica.com, Opera News Hub, Buwanews.com, Nationalwatch.com and South West Coordinator for mycujoo.tv live streaming team.

He was the Special Adviser On General Matters and Media Aide, to former Secretary General Nigeria Football Federation NFF, late Chief Taiwo Joseph Ogunjobi and he is also an NPFL Match Commissioner.

TS, as fondly called by his admirers is a winner of several awards and he is expected to bring his vast experience to bear on his new assignment.

Making the Media Team are the trio of Niyi Busari, and Hot FM (Abuja) duo of Michael Obasi and Modupeola Oyewale.

Busari - is an award winning journalist, the Publisher and CEO of BSN Sports Concepts, one of the most celebrated Nigerian sports journalists of his generation. A"cross-over" professional, he combines the talents and abilities of a print and electronic journalist in a manner that is rare, even though his specialization is print. A graduate of Economics from the University of Abuja where he obtained his Bachelor Degree in 2015.

Obasi is an experienced Award Winning  Sports Journalist who has been on Radio talking Sports over the  last 15 years years.

He has been On Hot FM Abuja talking Sports on his Award Winning show  Hotsports.

He is currently the Anchor of the Radio Sports Show Roughkick Radio Show on Hot FM Abuja.

He is a Graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Abuja and also obtained Diploma in Mass Communication from the same University.

He has worked as Media Aide to former Plateau State Governorship Aspirant and Chairman of Giwa FC Ambassador Chris Giwa.

He is also a Media Consultant to one of the country's top football Academies Water FC.

He hails from Abia state and he is happily married with a son.

Oyewale, who hails from Osun State is a seasoned and experienced Sport Journalist on radio for over thirteen years.

She is currently the Co- Anchor of the Radio Sports Show Roughkick Radio Show on Hot FM Abuja.

Oyewale, who's also a news reporter and producer, is a Graduate of Mass Communication from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ogun State.

She has worked as a Team Coordinator for the Under 17 women's national team, the Flamingos.