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.

Aisha Buhari Cup: Naija Ratels boss, Bar. Edeh proud of 'fabulous' Falcons, hails organisers

President of Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF), Barrister Paul Edeh on wednesday praised the organisers of Aisha Buhari Tournament for doing a great job he simply described as 'extraordinary'. 

The 'six' nation tournament kicked off on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, with the Super Falcons getting a 2-0 victory over the 'Les Aiglonnes' of Mali at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan, Lagos.

The philanthropist and brain behind the biggest Women's Football Pre season Tournament in Africa (Flying Officers Cup) also gave kudos to the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu; and the members of the Organising Committee headed by NFF First Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, for a job well executed.

The United Nations SDG Peace Ambassador also went further to congratulate African Champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria for its well deserved victory over Malians senior women National team, and wished the team well ahead of their final game against Bayana Bayana of South Africa next Tuesday.

2021 NWFL Premiership topscorer Monday Gift smashed home two late goals at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena to seal victory for the host and an excited Edeh highlighted that Monday's brace has shown how strong the NWFL Premiership has become under Aisha Falode. 

"No doubt, I am excited over her brace and the fact that the Super Falcons earned a comfortable victory. The NWFL Premiership is one of the best in the world and that's why the league keeps producing great players. 

"The Organisation of the tournament is one of the best I have seen so far, and kudos must go to the NFF President, Amaju Pinnick and the Local Organizing Committee, under the leadership of Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi.

"I was really optimistic that we were going to have a perfect organisation before the tournament and am glad the LOC have surpassed people's expectations. 

The opening ceremony of the maiden Aisha Buhari Tournament was attended by FIFA President, Gianni Infantino; CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe; and other football big wigs.

Six nations are participating at the inaugural edition; Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Morocco, and Cameroon alongside host, Nigeria.

Line Up Live Up: Award Winning Journalist Aderonke Bello selected for Sports-Based Life Skills Programme

The Federal Government of Nigeria has selected Award Winning Journalist, Sports for Development Enthusiast and Gender Advocate, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello as Representative and member of the Federal Government Team on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Line Up Live Up Programme (LULU).

LULU initiative is a sports-based life-skills training curriculum for youth aged 13-18. It strengthens the youth resilience to crime, violence and drug use by enhancing their personal and social skills and increasing their knowledge on the risk associated with these phenomena.

The Federal Government through office of the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Special Investments is partnering with UNODC to work with states on curbing violence and substance abuse by developing life skills through sports. 

Target is out-of-school youthsand kids which is part of the At Risk Children–Programme(ARC-P) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, set to address the challenges being experienced by this category of Nigerian citizens. UNODC is partnering with FG to integrate its LULU Programme into ARC-P, usingSports as a tool to provide life skills and support for the Youth and Children.

Ogunleye-Bello, an Alumni of the US Department of State’s, Global Sports Mentoring Programme (GSMP), will join other federal team members to serve as coaches and monitor the LULUprogramme nationally, provide UNODC and ARC-P Federal Office with detailed reports on project implementation of activities, monitoring and evaluation.