The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in another show of proactiveness splashed $25,000 on Team Nigeria athletes who have so far won medals at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In a friendly ceremony held at the Hilton Garden in Birmingham, the athletes and their coaches were rewarded for bringing glory to fatherland

Gold medal winners, Adijat Adenike Olarinoye and Rafiatu Folashade Lawal, received $5,000 each, while their coaches were also given $3,000 each.

Folashade won gold in the women’s 59kg weightlifting event while Adenike won gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event.

Taiwo Laidi, a silver medalist in the women’s 76kg Weightlifting event, received $3,000 for her effort.

For bronze medal winners, Edidiong Joseph Umaofia, Islamiyat Yusuf and Mary Osijo, they all got $2,000 each for their effort.

The event had in attendance, Chief of Staff to the Minster of Youth and Sports Development, Alh. Abba Yola, Director of finance at the ministry Olufehinti Olusegun and Dr Simon Ebhojiaye who is the leader of delegation for team Nigeria to the games.

Gold medalist in the 59kg Women’s Weightlifting event, Folashade Lawal said “I am pleased we got rewarded even before the end of the competition, I thank the honourable Minister for Sports, Sunday Dare for his proactiveness in this regard”.

“It is quite timely for us, as this act will encourage and spur all athletes to do more. For me, I want to thank the Minster for this and I’m very excited” she said.

As more medals and records continue to pour in for Nigeria at the games, the Sports minister has again reiterate the fact that athletes’ welfare remains a top priority in his administration.

Both athletes breezed into the Commonwealth Games Birmingham(CGB) Games Village camp in the early hours of Thursday to a rousing welcome by officials and athletes alike.

Amusan, the World Record holder and recently crowned World champion in the 100m hurdles and Long Jumper Ese Brume are favourites to clinch gold in their different events as they did at the last Commonwealth Games they were part of.

Athletics experts and coaches in Team Nigeria camp believe the positive energy and momentum of both Amusan and Brume will boost the confidence of the other athletes in camp.

Please don’t forget our official hashtag…..#TeamNigeriaCWG2022

Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare has felicitated all sports journalists in Nigeria and beyond, as the world marks the 2022 International Sports Journalists Day.

The Minister, who is a journalist himself, stated that the profession is reserved for noble personalities who work round the clock, all year-round to give sports the needed coverage it needs to blossom.

Dare said, “this day deserves to be celebrated, as I am a sports journalist myself, and I know the efforts and passion sports journalists put in their job daily. Sports Journalism is my constituency because it is where I started from and the profession brought me to the limelight.

“Today, I doff my heart and celebrate sports journalists, who have made immeasurable sacrifices for sports across the globe, especially in Nigeria. Sports Journalists in Nigeria rank very highly amongst the professionals in Nigeria who invest so much passion into their jobs, no matter what they face.

“You have not paid attention to the hazards of the job, but instead you have chosen to be partners in the development of sports. This in itself calls for celebration and I join in this celebration,” the Minister added.

This year’s event is themed ‘Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future For All’ and is celebrated by sports journalists, media organisations and related industries all around the globe since 1994.

The Federal Government on Thursday inaugurated an investigative committee to unravel the circumstances leading to the vandalization of the Moshood Abiola Stadium and recommend measures to forestall recurrence.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare while inaugurating the committee led by DIG Sanni Mohammed (Retd) noted that while the failure of Nigeria to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup is not only regrettable but also left millions of football loving Nigerians unhappy and angry, making them to ask for changes, it is not enough to condone the acts of vandalism and destruction of public infrastructure like the Moshood Abiola Stadium, built with tax payers money and the benevolence of private individuals.

“The Federal Government will not sit by and allow individuals, no matter their ages to just wilfully damage and destroy Federal Government Infrastructure especially a public infrastructure like the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Therefore, this afternoon, I want to inaugurate this committee on the acts of vandalism and destruction of the Stadium. This committee will have two weeks to conclude its assignment and submit its report.

“It is an investigative committee and they will be given necessary access to the stadium, they will be provided with the CCTV footage, they will have access to every relevant person connected with the football match and also the Ministry, Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)and other relevant agencies,” the Minister added.

The terms of reference of the Committee include unraveling the remote and immediate causes of the incident; determine the extent of the destruction; investigate the security arrangement and the role of security generally; identify the culprits; identify victims where we have them; make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrence, not just for the Moshood Abiola Stadium but all stadia across the country in terms of crowd control after the games, amongst others.

In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, DIG Mohammed(Retd)thanked the Minister for finding members of the committee worthy of the national assignment, promising they will discharge their responsibilities without fear or favour, and assist the nation to prevent a recurrence of the unfortunate incident.

Other members of the investigative committee are Dr Henry Nzekwu(vice chairman), Commodore Omatseye Nesiama(Retd), Alhaji Abba Yola, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye, Mrs Tayo Oreweme, Mr Mitchell Obi, a representative of the Director General of the Department of State Security(DSS) and Mr Olumide Bamiduro, who will be the secretary.

The committee has two weeks to turn in their report.

The Federal Government has tripled the prize money award for Team Nigeria medallists at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Making the announcement Tuesday in Tokyo after Wrestler Blessing Oborodudu won Team Nigeria’s second medal of the Games, Director, Federation and Elite Athletes Department, FEAD of the Youth and Sports Development Ministry, Dr Simon Ebohdjaiye says the gesture is in appreciation of the impressive and historic performances put up by the athletes.

“The gesture is to drive home the point that the Federal Government rewards superlative efforts,” said the Director who praised the athletes for their massive exploits in Tokyo.

“Gold medallist will now be rewarded with $15,000 while silver and bronze medal winners will each get $10,000 and S7,500 respectively. The earlier award is $5,000 for gold, $3,000 for silver and $2,000 for bronze”.

Oborodudu who made history as the first Nigerian wrestler, man or woman to win an Olympic medal courtesy of the silver medal she won in the women’s 68kg freestyle will get $10,000.

Long jumper Ese Brume who officially won Nigeria’s first medal at the Games, a bronze will get $7,500 as a reward. Her medal is the first won in track and field since 2008 at the Beijing Olympics where Blessing Okagbare and the women’s 4x100m relay team won a silver medal each.

There are still three Nigerians left in the Wrestling event led by world number one in her category, Odunayo Adekuruoye. Also within the medal range is Chukwuebuka Enekwechi who will be competing in the men’s Shot Put final on Thursday.

Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr. Sunday Akin Dare has stated conditions that must be met before the National Sports Commission can return.

The Minister made this observation during the public hearing for the Bill to return the National Sports Commission. While declaring his support for the return of the sports commission he asked for a new- look National Sports Commission in line with what obtains in other parts of the world.

Speaking during the Senate Sports Committee hearing in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister said”Let me thank the chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports
and all the Committee members on behalf of all sports loving
Nigerians for undertaking this public hearing. It demonstrates
your interest in the development of sports in our country.

But beyond that interest is the commitment to see that necessary actions and legislations are in place to guide sports development in Nigeria. Amending the existing Decree 34 of 1971 which is still subsisting or promising a new bill are possible options”.

He further stated “The world over we have seen sports become big business. Sports as business is a pre-requisite for any country that intends to develop its sport’s successfully. A sports as business policy and orientation opens the doors for investments from the organized private sector.

Governments are not longer the sole investors in sports development. Private sector participation drives sports, rewards athletes, creates jobs, drive’s
manufacturing, generated revenue and contributes to GDP.

At the Ministry, we have in the past 18 months been busy working with
critical stakeholders to deliver a new sports industry policy, NSIP, that will
change the face and fundamentals of our sports development.

It is an attempt to build a business model around sports in Nigeria so that like we have in North America, Europe, South Africa and other climes, Nigeria’s sports development can be driven by both government and private funds”.
On re-classification of sports, he affirmed “The Ministry of Youth and sports Development has successfully secured the re-classification of Sports from being a mere recreation to Business. President Muhammadu Buhari in Council approved this reclassification. Sports is now Business in Nigeria. In Principle. The policy that will drive this will soon be ready as it is in its final stages.”

Signed

Media office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development

Fosla Academy Abuja have emerged the winners of the football event of the
rebranded National Principals Cup which ended at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.

Fosla Academy were truly deserving champions as they secured an emphatic 2-0 victory over Christ Comprehensive College, Makera, Kaduna.

Speaking during the event, Minister of Youth and sports Development Chief Sunday Dare said “The standard we have seen on display gives me hope of a bright future for our football and other sports. I’m excited that this event has lived up to our expectations. The future is indeed very bright for our budding talents.”

“We are proud of the glory and honour Fosla Academy have brought to the FCT,” declared FCT FA chairman Mouktar Mohammed.

Fosla Academy Owner and Former President of the Nigerian football Federation Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi said “These boys have really made me proud and re- assured me that they are the future of Nigerian football. We are Happy to be part of history of building Nigerian football”

Signed

Media office of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development

A statement by the Minister said “I received the news of Segun Ogunjimi’s death with utmost shock and sadness in my heart.

“He was not just a dedicated journalist, but someone I knew personally because of his zeal and commitment to the activities of the Ministry.

“He was so passionate about his job, full of life and vigor. He was one of the few journalists I took personal note of on assuming office due to his unrivalled professionalism and dedication to duty.

“I recall that last year he was in my office for my birthday celebration where I granted him an exclusive interview and we took personal pictures. it’s so unfortunate that we have lost a great journalist in Segun Ogunjimi, but we cannot question God. I commiserate with his wife, son, extended family and the entire SWAN members on this sad incident.

“My prayer is that God grants the family and the sports community the fortitude to bear this huge loss. May his soul rest in peace”.

Signed
Media office of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development

The Main Organising Committee of the National Principals Cup has announced that the revived National competition earlier scheduled to kick off on February 12 will now start from February 26.

The secondary school showpiece will be heralded with an opening ceremony and match between Government College Kaduna and Igbobi College, Lagos at the Agege Stadium, Lagos.

According to the Director of Grassroots Sports in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr Ademola Are, the postponement became necessary in order to sort out a few logistics and to ensure a hitch free competition.

The revival of the Principals Cup is one of the cardinal programmes of the Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare aimed at the re-invigoration of schools and grassroots sports development, enhance talent discovery and grooming of young talents in the country.

Unlike in the past when only footbal was featured, table tennis, Badminton, Atheletics, Boxing and Volleyball would be competed for among the schools.

The competition has received high profile endorsement from the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11 who has instituted an award for the Most Valuable Player.

The Ooni who participated in the Headmasters and Principals Cup while in primary and secondary school commended the Honourable Minister Mr. Dare for the initiative which he believes would cement national unity and forge friendship among youths across the nation.

Signed

Media office of the Honorable Minister of Youth and Sports Development

As the drums are rolled out in celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the coronation of the Alafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olanrewaju Adeyemi III, Minister of Youth and sports Development Mr Sunday Dare has described the Alafin of Oyo Kingdom as a unifier and custodian of a rich cultural value.
According to Mr. Dare

“On behalf of the good people of Oyo state and Nigerians at large, I felicitate with his Imperial Majesty Oba Lamidi Olanrewaju Adeyemi 111 on the special occasion of your 50th year Coronation.

“Your reign has not only brought stability, progress and development , it has fostered unity, love and hope in Oyo State and Nigeria in general. Your fatherly role, wisdom and peaceful disposition has been quite inspiring in the last 50 years of your reign. You are not just a custodian of our rich cultural values and tradition, but a lover of humanity and consummate sports man. Your life is indeed very exemplary not only to the old generation, but to the Youth who have alot to learn from your life of selfless service.

“As you continue to lead the people of our Great Kingdom, May God bless and sustain you in Good health ” Mr. Dare concluded.

Oba Adeyemi emerged as the Alafin in 1970, but was corononated on the 14th January, 1971 by the Military Administrator of General Adeyinka Adebayo.
Born on October 15th 1938, the Alafin remains one of the longest reigning Monarchs in Yoruba Land.

Signed

Media Office to the  Minister of  Youth and Sports Development