The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has identified ways to deepen the democratic process and drive sustainable development in Nigeria.

Dare, who was the keynote speaker at the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation roundtable held on Friday at the University of Ibadan, highlighted the reviving of the culture of public debate of ideologies and policies, investment in education and enlightenment and continuous improvement of our electoral laws among others, as practical steps that must taken to strengthen democracy and the rule of law in the country.

His words: “Apart from having roundtable discussions and open fora on the subject matter such as this, there is the need to take very practical steps in growing our democracy in Nigeria.

“There must be the reviving of the culture of public debate of ideologies and policies in our country and eliminating toxicity, abuse and vulgarity especially at this time that the social media is helping the spread of negativity and increasingly making more people anti-Intellectual even in the universities.

“We have a challenge to find great minds of the past like Professors Aboyade Cole, Sam Aluko, Moses Akin-Makinde and Chief Obafemi Awolowo who wrote and formulated policies for the country.”

The Minister also tasked the Government, “to continue to invest in education and public enlightenment so that the mass of the people can know their roles, rights, duties and obligations in the democratic process.”

Dare said there must be the continuous improvement of the electoral laws in Nigeria to protect the ballot and make votes count during elections, praising President Muhammadu Buhari for the Electoral Law 2022, which he says has instilled more confidence of Nigerians in the electoral process while strengthening the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) as an institution.

He further called for an effective criminal justice system to deal with all electoral offenders.

“Our criminal justice system needs to be more alive to its responsibilities. Our judiciary and law enforcement agencies, especially the Police, must be able to stamp out violence and intimidation from our political space.

“There should be punishment for electoral offenders. The Election Offences Tribunals must be able to prosecute these offenders.

“We also need strong and viable political parties, who apart from being vehicles for political participations must play critical roles in deepening the democratic system and sustainable development through the propagation of their manifestos and public education of their programmes and government policies. Political parties must remain a public trust and be properly organised as such.”

The Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare then eulogised the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, describing him as a leader who loved his people and served them with honesty of purpose and with the determination to make positive impact on their lives.

“Some of the enduring legacies Senator Abiola Ajimobi has left us are the reforms in education, security and urban renewal.

“Without a doubt, we miss him greatly. If he was still here with us, our party, the All Peoples Congress(APC) would have been more vibrant, cohesive and viable,” Dare concluded.

Edo were the victims as Bayelsa humbled them 2-0, with John Raphael registering a brace.

Goals from Zakari John and Biola Brian was the tonic Abia needed to defeat Taraba 2-0.

A superbly taken free kick by Ehiam Akami helped Akwa Ibom pip Ogun 1-0. Meanwhile, FCT also beat Oyo 1-0. Sani Auwalu was on song for the winning team.

Ajoh Chika’s header settled the game between Ebonyi and Enugu.

Ekiti and Niger failed to score at the end of regulation. The latter won 4-3 on penalties.

The #Ote4Wealth National Football Tournament holding at the Water FC Stadium, Apo Abuja is in celebration of Nigeria’s foremost philanthropist and Business mogul, Femi Otedola Femi Otedola who clocked 60 on November 4.

Day 2 Results;

Abia 2-0 Taraba

Nasarawa 0-3 Osun

Cross River 0-0 Kebbi (AP 1-4)

Ondo 0-3 Rivers

Enugu 0-1 Ebonyi

Kogi 0-0 Anambra (AP 4-3)

Akwa Ibom 1-0 Ogun

Katsina 0-3 Bauchi

Zamfara 0-2 Kwara

Ekiti 0-0 Niger (AP 3-4)

Oyo 0-1 FCT

Delta 1-0 Yobe

Edo 0-2 Bayelsa

After the qualification of Team Osun; Team Oyo, Team Lagos and NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars to the semi-finals on Friday, organizers of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup have released the last four pairings.

With both Oyo U15 and Osun U15 sealing their semi-final spot on Thursday, the onus was on Remo Stars and Lagos U15 team to get at least a point from their Matchday 3 fixtures, having recorded 4points and 3points respectively after the conclusion of Matchday 2 fixtures.

That they did at the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo, as Remo Stars and Osun U15 played out a 1-1 draw to go second in Group B with 5pionts while Osun maintained the top spot with 7points after two wins and a draw.

With Oyo U15 already leaders of Group A with 6points from two matches, Lagos and Ekiti had to slug it out in the final Group A game for who joins Oyo in the semis.

The soak tensed game between both teams lived up to the hype as it ended 1-1, thus saw the Eko Boys qualifying on superior goal difference ahead their counterparts Ekiti Bees as both teams were levelled on 4points.

It’s a tough semi-final pairings as high flying Oyo State who were handed a reality check after they lost their last group game by a lone goal to Kwara U15 team, will sqaure up against NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars for a spot in the final while Osun U15 team will hope to contain the fire power of Lagos U15 team who scored five goals in the group stage.

Meanwhil, a total of 18 goals were scored in the group phase of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup as all teams recorded at least a point.

MatchDay 3 Results

Osun State 1-1 Remo Stars
Ekiti State 1-1 Lagos State
Oyo State 0-1 Kwara State
Ogun State 0-1 Ondo State

SEMI FINAL PAIRINGS

Team Oyo vs Remo Stars – 3pm

Team Osun vs Team Lagos – 4pm

#OgunjobiMemorialCup22

Oyo and Osun State U15 teams are through to the semi-finals of the Ogunjobi U15 Memorial Cup after they compounded the woes of Ekiti and Ogun State U15 teams respectively.

A beehive of activities returned to the Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science in Osogbo as six goals were scored on Matchday 2 of the tournament.

The Oyo State team who defeated a 10-man Lagos State team on Matchday 1, took the game to their counterparts from Ekiti State who had piped Kwara State in their opening fixture.

Shittu Fawaz was the unsung hero after he broke inside Ekiti State U15 team box, and hammered home the goal in confident fashion in the 20 minute and at the end proved to be the winner for his Oyo State team.

For Osun, they had Hamzat Qureeb to thank, after he scored from a sublime free kick in 52nd minute.

Victory for Oyo and Osun State U15 teams on Matchday 2 have placed each on top their groups with 6points each.

It was a superb Matchday 2 outing for Lagos State U15 team as they put behind their loss to Oyo State to beat Kwara State 3-1.

The Eko Boys meant business as they got a 5th minute lead through Uche Egwu and from there, he put his team in the driver’s seat.

Twenty-five minutes later, Kwara State U15 scored their first goal of the campaign after Arowolo Daniel broke in and steered the ball into the bottom corner of Lagos State goal to restore parity for his team.

Lagos then needed nine minutes to seal off the game to earn their first 3points and a chance to advance into the semi-finals, after Romans Obinna latched onto a defensive error by Team Kwara’s defender and coolly slotted home to restore Team Lagos lead in the 51st minute.

As the game got to its one hour mark; Afolabi Kehinde puts the game beyond Team Kwara’s reach with the third goal, after he dribbled past his makers and found the back of the net.

It was not too rosy for NPFL/LaLiga champions Remo Stars U15 after they shared the spoils with Ondo State.

MatchDay 2 Results

Remo Stars 0-0 Ondo State
Lagos State 3-1 Kwara State
Ekiti State 0-1 Oyo State
Ogun State 0-1 Osun State

MatchDay 3 Fixtures

Osun State vs Remo Stars – 10:00 AM
Ekiti State vs Lagos State – 11:00 AM
Oyo State vs Kwara State -12:00 PM
Ogun State vs Ondo State – 1:00 PM

VENUE: Sports Complex Ataoja School Of Science, Osogbo

#OgunjobiMemorialCup22

The much anticipated Schools4Chess Children Day Tournament organised on Children’s Day by Chess Academy Ibadan, ended in fanfare as Amao Group of Schools emerged victorious with 25.5 points carting away the gold trophy while Dayspring Schools and Top Rank Intellectual came second and third respectively.

Eleven schools including Dayspring Schools, B & B Int’l Schools, Top Rank Intellectual Academy, Amao Group of Schools, Positive Impact College, Dainty Oaks School, St Brigid’s Secondary School, Amaanah Integrated School, Divine Heritage School, and Orita-mefa Baptish Model School participated in the One-day tournament.

According to the organiser of the tournament, Ademola ‘Origa’ Bamigbelu, the main reason behind the tournament is to engaged the children as earlier as possible in the rudiment of the game of Chess which is an educational tools, will develop their thinking faculties and make them useful to the country.

“My intention on chess is to see as many children as possible get involved with chess as earlier as possible because this will not only make them grow up with great thinking abilities but, it will put the nation on a positive path. Great nations that are doing great exploit have their kids go through the process of expanding their reasoning earlier through many activities and chess is a major one.

“Chess is an educational tool, it helps in a tremendous way to the development of our kids and Nation. We appreciate those who have supported us including Alliance Française Ibadan, NASCO Group, and many others. We are looking forward to other event.

We had a wonderful edition in which we are not even sure of what it will look like , however, it was a scintillating program and we promise to make it an annual event.” Bamigbelu, who is a renowned photojournalist said.

Speaking further, Bamigbelu said for the children to have an avenue to learn the game, that is why he established the Chess Academy which offered them the opportunity to learn under a conducive environment.

“Chess Academy Ibadan runs teaching classes weekly and every Saturday at Alliance Française, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

We give them training the kids needed in a safe and conducive environment,” he added.

Also speaking at the tournament, Tiwalade Fatungase, Experiential Marketing manager of NASCO foods, said the reason the company is supporting the tournament is because of the educational quality of the programme and NASCO always associate with end programme that can develop our children.

“The tournament is a noble course and it’s educational. Anything that is educational, NASCO wants to be a part of that project because NASCO cornflakes is full of nourishment, vitamins for the kids which I believe will help them to develop their brains mentally and physically so that’s why we decided to partner with the project,” Fatungase said.

Speaking further, Fatungase said “It’s an eye opener, I want to believe this should be a yearly thing which I believe NASCO will also be a part of the project. It’s a nice thing, I was overwhelmed with the number of school children that I saw.

From age range of ten upward; I was amazed, it’s a noble cause and I want the organisers to make it a yearly thing so that other well Nigerians can partner.”

In the final medals table signed by the Tournament Director, Olabode Sofoluwe, in the primary school female category, Aishat Nurudeen of Dayspring School came first, Obafemi Vania of B&B School, second and Oyewale Blessing of Amao Group of Schools came third while in the male category, Oluwafunmire Ogunbayo of B&B Schools came first, Onatoyinbo Daniel of Top Rank Intellectual came second and Adebisi Emmanuel of Dayspring Schools came third.

In the secondary school female category, Folorunsho Imisioluwa of Positive Impact College came first, Bello Fatimat of Amao Group of Schools was second and Roqebat Taofeek of Dayspring Schools came third while in the male category, Sambo Joseph of St Brigid’s School came first, Oluwadamilare Solomon of Positive Impact College was second and Mufutau Waris of Dayspring Schools came third.

From Moshood Abiola to Daura, Lagos National Stadium and now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Sunday Dare can’t stop working.

Are you one of those that thought his tenure is fast winding up and he will be more concerned about what tomorrow holds for him? If yes, you better start having a rethink as Nigeria Youth and Sports minister, Sunday Dare is unrelenting in his passionate drive to accomplish all his set objectives.

Last week, he embarked on a tour of the NYSC Radio and praised the brains behind this laudable project for creating another major job opportunity for Nigeria youths.

A few days later, he was in Delta state, where he praised the organizers of the fast approaching National sports festival, Delta 2022, for working ahead of time for the games. He was particularly impressed with the state of sporting facilities already completed ahead.of the games.

And just when you think it is a new week and he should be strategizing on what to do next, the nation woke up to yet another surprise.

After the successful renovation of the Moshood Abiola stadium Abuja, the excellent work at the Daura stadium in Katsina state and the brilliant updates from the National stadium in Lagos, the Oyo state born administrator has moved his renovation adventure to Ibadan the Oyo state capital where work is ongoing at the Obafemi Awolowo stadium.

After a see it yourself tour of the facility, Dare expressed satisfaction with what is on ground and has promised to give this one his full concentration and support before the expiration of his tenure.

In the last 28 years of the Sports ministry, past sports ministers have struggled in vain to renovate one of these edifice, that had gone moribund due to lack of maintenance and have failed woefully but in just over three years, Dare has come, he has seen, he has promised and has delivered.

The Nigeria Pillar of Sports, Chief Donatus Agu Ejidike, J.P has lent his voice to join other Nigerians to pay tribute to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III who joined his ancestors on Friday night describing him as one of the greatest monarch who towed the path of unity and one Nigeria in his lifetime.

Late Alaafin of Oyo according to a statement by Chief Ejidike was a detribalised king who used his position to ensure peace and love among all the tribes in Nigeria even as he accepted the revered appointment as Chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto as well as University of Maiduguri a position he occupied before his demise.

The sports philanthropist, Ejidike recalled his visit to the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III in his palace where he had a commitment to stage a befitting championship in his honour to further unearth budding talents in Oyo State but death has dealt a big blow as Alaafin never lived to witness the game.

“What attracted me to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was his spirit of sportsmanship; a keen sportsman who chose boxing and maintained his physical fitness till death. Even at 82 years, he was bouncing and strong. He never discriminated against any tribe or religion. He was a true and patriotic Nigerian. As one of the foresmost monarch in the country, he used his exalted stool to stabilize the nation. I have great respect for his power of intellect particularly his sound knowledge of history”, Ejidike recalled.

He urged the government at various levels to give more attention to the traditional institutions as the monarchs are the custodians of our traditions, customs and culture which are morally inclined.

Ejidike condoled Oyo State government and people of Oyo State; and, natives of the ancient town of Oyo as he prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Palace of Oyo has confirmed the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

The spokesperson for the late Oba, Mr Bode Durojaye, confirmed the death in a terse response to an inquiry by our correspondent.

He said, “Alaafin is dead. Details in due course.”

It was gathered that the octogenarian monarch died on Friday night in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State Capital after a brief illness.

Sources at the palace confirmed the death of the traditional ruler to our correspondent on Saturday morning.

Sources at the palace confirmed the death of the traditional ruler to our correspondent on Saturday morning.

Source: https://amiloadednews.com/2022/04/just-in-palace-confirms-alaafin-of-oyos-death.html

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Monday flagged off road improvement and erosion control projects in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Ecological Projects, Dr Habiba Lawal, who was represented by the Director of Media and Publicity, Dr Joel Oruche said the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare played a prominent role in attracting Government’s intervention to Ogbomoso.

Dr Lawal also enjoined the people of Ogbomoso to cooperate with the contractor and engineers handling the projects for efficient and a timely service delivery.

The roads to be worked on are;
Adebayose Idowu-Dare Street, off Ado Alaamo; Olusegun Obasanjo Way; 1004 Theater Road; R.Bello Road and Muneer Ibrahim Crescent. All in Ogbomoso.

Over 200 youths and adults most of them from Ogbomosoland will be directly employed by the contractors involved in the projects and a lot more would benefit indirectly through the provision of ancillary and other support services.

In his remarks, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the projects that he had proposed and facilitated to Oyo State over three years ago.

Dare said facilitating the projects is the privilege of a lifetime and a dream come true.

His words: “I am thankful to God for this and to President Muhammadu Buhari. Contributing to the social well being of my people, leaving a legacy that transcends my time as a Minister and extends to generations yet unborn is priceless.”

The Minister promised to ensure that the youth of Ogbomosoland are not left out in the schemes of developmental programmes and are also fully integrated in all the initiatives of the Federal Government.

The Soun of Ogbomoso, who was represented by High Chief Otolorin Sobaloju, praised the Minister for being a worthy son and a proud representative of the people.

The High Chief said, “the people of Ogbomosoland and indeed Oyo State are lucky to have a son like Sunday Dare as Minister, his interest in the welfare of his people and commitment to bringing developmental projects to them stands him heads and shoulders above his contemporaries.”

Former Senator Ayo Adeseun also showered encomiums on Chief Sunday Dare for facilitating the building of the Pakiotan 80 bed capacity hospital, the youth vocational training centre in Ogbomoso, the renovation and equipping of the Okelerin Primary Health Centre and using his personal fund to roofing of the Sọun Township Stadium and serving as the co-facilitator of the Federal Polytechnic Ayeede.

Some of the other dignitaries present at the flag off include the former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Olagunju Ojo, Representative of Soun of Ogbomoso, High Chief Aare Ago, Chairman of NSS, Ogbomoso Branch, Prof A.A Agboola, Chairman Ogbomoso Parapo and Alhaji Saka Bello Aremole.

About 120 youth who gathered to celebrate the 55th birthday anniversary of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare, at his Akobo area residence in Ibadan have applauded his introduction of a scholarship scheme for Indigent Oyo State students.

It was a gathering like no other as issues around youth development took center-stage, overshadowing the birthday celebrations. The celebrations-turned -youth engagement excited the celebrant as he fielded questions from the youths and also enlightened them on the achievements of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

He particularly laid emphasis on the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) which is one of the Initiatives of the Ministry.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said “The NYIF is aimed at essentially supporting entrepreneurship among the youth. Thousands of youth have registered for this loan which will go a long way to boost Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) as well as encourage new business innovations.”

“Also, the Ministry has introduced the Graduate Attachment Program (GAP) with its focal point on integrating fresh graduates into relevant jobs/skills in order to provide them with the necessary work experience(s) while they also receive stipend during the program.

At the end of this program, the beneficiaries will be enriched with the required work experience for other larger roles in the public and private sectors.”he affirmed.

While adding that the country is counting on the youth for its economic vitality, Dare said he believes that with the present crop of hardworking youth, Nigeria’s better future is guaranteed.

One of the highlights of the event was the launch of the Dare Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (DUGGS) which is aimed at providing financial support to indigent students of Oyo State, in any University or Polytechnic across the nation.

The  launch of the scholarship was met with a standing ovation from the audience of youths who immediately made enquiries on the process of benefiting from the scholarship scheme.

Dare assured them that this maiden edition of the scholarship will accommodate as many students as possible who meet the eligibility criteria. However, the scholarship scheme will eventually become an annual event.
Chieftains of the All Progressive Congress (APC), also joined the jubilant Youths, insisting that although they are not youths, they would not miss out on any opportunity to celebrate Chief Sunday Dare who has been providing Oyo APC with tremendous support to stabilize the party in the state.

Signed

Media office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development