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Sport

Nigeria risks being delisted by World Anti-Doping Agency, Dalung warns

Doping
By Chijioke Okoronkwo
Abuja, Nov. 19, 2018 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, on Monday in Abuja warned that Nigeria risked being delisted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if urgent action was not taken.

Dalung, who briefed State House correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, said Nigeria needed to immediately establish a National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).

He said WADA had since given Nigeria a 21-day notice to that effect.

The minister said he had therefore sought the President’s assistance in getting the NADA Bill, which had been in the National Assembly for long, speedily passed into law.

“We are aware that Nigeria has been given a 21-day notice by WADA, that we will be delisted for non-compliance, and Nigerians will wonder why Nigeria is facing this risk for non-compliance.

“By the provisions of the WADA statutes, member-nations are expected to establish independent national anti-doping agencies or organisations.

“In Nigeria, the struggle for the passage of the NADA Bill has been in the National Assembly for a very long time. It has advanced to the concluding stages but, unfortunately, it has remained there.

“We have been pushing, and we have been visiting. We have been mounting pressure, and much has not been done.

“Smaller countries (in comparison with Nigeria) which subscribed to WADA after Nigeria have already established their own agencies.

“Even though we have not been found wanting in terms of testing and performances of our athletes, because we have been performing regular tests of athletes and we have not run risks during competitions, but it is important that we should be compliant in the area of establishing a NADA.’’

Dalung pointed out that NADA’s independence ensures responsibilities of not only tests but random tests — where athletes would be tested any time, whether in competition or out of competition.

He said the training, education, capacity, among others were also the responsibilities of the agency.

The minister said WADA had been writing to the ministry while it (the ministry) had also been replying, as it had hoped to get the legislation passed.

“But it is regretable that the Bill is yet to be passed. So, I drew the attention of the President to this and invited him to intervene because, after 21 days, Nigeria will be banned.

“And a ban from WADA will mean that sports completely in Nigeria will be grounded because none of the national federations will participate in any competition.

“We are all aware that the anti-doping issue has to do with the credibility of a participating country.

“Even this piece of news that has been released has sent some panic signals to most of our fans, partners and those we have been collaborating with.

“So, there is a need for Nigeria to move and have this legislation passed so that we can avoid this risk.’’

Dalung said he also briefed the President on the development, progress and some of the challenges the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development was facing.

He said this briefing was particular on the ministry’s preparations for the 19th National Sports Festival billed for next month in Abuja.

“The National Sports Festival comes up from Dec. 6 to Dec. 16 and it is coming after six years. Therefore, the preparations are in top gear.

“The torch of unity has been moving round the country, and it is in the South-West of the country currently.’’

Dalung said, however, that the ministry was having challenges with funding.

“This is because we initially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a sponsor who was going to contribute one-third of the needed funds. But, unfortunately, the sponsor can not make it.

“I need the support of the President for further funding to augment the space created by that vacuum and the President has graciously given his approval to our request if we will submit in writing soon.

“Initially, N900 million was to be raised by government, and we were thinking of getting N400 million from our partner. But, with the failure, it means the Federal Government will now bankroll the N1.2 billion budget required for the festival,’’ he said.

The minister said he also briefed President Buhari on Nigeria’s qualification for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and issues relating to late release of funds.

Dalung said the President also took note of the issues and assured that everything would be done to ensure that all the avoidable challenges were given prompt attention.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

FG will no longer condone blackmail, threats by national sports federations, Dalung warns

Youths and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung (middle) receiving the report of Investigative Committee on Doping Allegations from the committee chairman, Pius Oteh, in Abuja on Tuesday.

Warning
By Kayode Adebiyi
Abuja, Aug. 7, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday in Abuja warned national sports federations that the days of incurring the wrath of international sports bodies are over.

Dalung sounded the warning while receiving the report of the Ministerial Investigative Committee on Doping Allegations, saying the Youths and Sports Development Ministry would no longer condone such an act.

The minister said the federal government, as the major financier of sports in the country, would no longer take the back seat in matters concerning sports administration and management.

“Sports federations should desist from provoking international sports bodies into issuing threats of sanctions on Nigeria in the name of violation of their statutes when there are issues to be addressed.

“Government cannot be a spectator in its own show. Every year, government commits billions of Naira to sports development.

“It is a known fact that government finances 85 to 90 per cent of sports activities in Nigeria.

“Since this is the case, government will continue to intervene in issues of sports management and administration when the need arises,” Dalung said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister had on March 27 inaugurated a Ministerial Investigative Committee to look into allegations of doping and cover-up.

The allegations were about happenings within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria’s (AFN) and revolving around Olamide George, the federation’s Vice-President, and an athlete, Sade Abugan.

NAN reports that George was subsequently suspended from all athletics-related activities pending completion of investigation into allegations of drugs violation levelled against him.

This had been as a result of a petition to athletics world body IAAF and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) by Tafida Gadzama, a member of the AFN board.

Gadzama alleged that the doping violations took place during the 2010 Commonwealth Games at New Delhi in India.

Dalung, after receiving the report, thanked the committee for a rigorous and thorough job in spite of the tight schedule of its members.

He, however, stated that the committee’s work would not have been necessary if the previous administration in the Ministry had taken necessary and decisive action on the matter.

“I recall that a committee was initially set up after the allegations were made. However, its report was inadequate and didn’t address the main issue, which is the involvement of the AFN vice-president.

“There was a petition alleging state cover-up, which means an alleged involvement of Nigeria in doping and this could lead to severe sanctions by international bodies.

“This led to my insistence on constituting the committee made up of reputable and trusted Nigerians on matters such as this,’’ the minister said.

Dalung assured the committee that its recommendations would be adequately reviewed and accordingly implemented.

He also assured that the committee’s recommendations and aspects of its implementation would be transmitted to relevant international sports bodies to show Nigeria’s commitment to transparency in sports.

While presenting the report to the minister, Pius Oteh, the committee chairman, said the committee took its time to draw relevant and fact-based conclusions, as well as make far-reaching recommendations.

“We have reviewed the existing structure for the management of doping issues in Nigerian sports, particularly athletics.

“We have reappraised the need to promote greater internal disciplinary mechanisms within the sports federations.

“We have also made observations concerning what appeared to us to be disturbing developments within the fold of the AFN board, among other issues.

“We commend the minister and the Permanent Secretary for the objective and transparent manner in which they encouraged the committee to do its work.

“I recall that the minister mentioned during our inauguration that his interest was not to prosecute or intimidate persons, but to ensure that appropriate facts were disclosed and justice done to all parties.

“This was the experience of the committee members all through the duration of the assignment.

“We reached our conclusions on the basis of the facts before us, with a clear conscience and towards the growth of sports in Nigeria,’’ Oteh said.(NAN)
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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Dalung inaugurates 6-man reconciliation committee on NFF leadership crisis

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, fourth from right, with members of NFF Reconciliation Committee.

Committee

By Dorcas Jonah and Chiamaka Ubabuko
Abuja, Aug. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, on Monday inaugurated a six-man reconciliation committee to bring lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Dalung said the NFF crisis has already impeded the desired growth and development of football in the country.

“Except personal interests were set aside, the crisis will continue unabated. So, we need to do something,’’ he said.

Dalung said the committee was set up following a decision taken at the Stakeholders Roundtable on Governance Challenges of the NFF held in July in Abuja.

“Unless we each put aside our parochial interests and differences, and work towards the common goal of combating the evil plaguing Nigerian football, it will continue its free fall.

“This, any responsible government will not allow, hence the need for this committee of distinguished elders,’’ the  minister said.

He said the committee’s inauguration on Monday marked yet another milestone in the collective efforts to rescue Nigerian football and set it on a path of sustainable growth.

Dalung urged the committee to identify the causes of the current leadership crisis in the NFF, evaluate the dimensions of the crisis and the contribution of actors to the issue.

He said the committee should invite the two warring NFF factions to the reconciliation table with a view to addressing their concerns towards “achieving a sustainable and win-win solution’’.

Dalung also advised the committee to make recommendations to ensure smooth leadership succession without adversely affecting the development and management of football in Nigeria.

Responding on behalf of the committee members, the chairman of the committee, Abdulmumini Aminu, promised to put in their best to ensure a lasting solution to the crisis.

“The assignment is a complex one in the sense that whatever position you take, the other side will see you as taking side.

“But with the calibre of people on the committee, who are responsible Nigerians and technocrats, I believe we will be able to do a very thorough job for the nation.

“We know there is much at stake in this issue, and the integrity of the country is at stake. Also, `FIFA hammer’ is by the side, it can knock on us at any moment.

“So, we have to be very careful and very thorough while undertaking this assignment,’’ the retired Army Colonel, who is also a former chairman of the NFF, said.

Other members of the committee are former NFF Presidents Ibrahim Galadima and Anthony Kojo-Williams, Onye Gye-Wado, Sam Sam Jaja and Bolaji Ojo-Oba.

A Secretariat to provide proper documentation of all activities of the committee comprises Danjuma Muhammed, the Acting Director of Legal Services at the Sports Ministry, Stanley Okebugwu and Reuben Tiyatiye.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee has two weeks to work and submit its report.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sport

Federation insists on upgrading scrabble into mandatory sport at 2018 NSF 

Scrabble

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, July 31, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) on Tuesday in Abuja insisted that scrabble should not be listed as an optional sport at the 2018 National Sports Festival (NSF).

Suleiman Gora, President of the federation, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that listing the sports as optional was not in the best interest of the game.

NAN reports that some sports federations have been protesting their non-inclusion in the festival scheduled for Abuja in December due to their classification as optional sports in the 2018 NSF.

Scrabble is one of the sports classified as an optional sports, meaning competition in the sport at the festival was based on its choice by participating states.

Gora said Nigeria’s performance the sport internationally means it is not supposed to be listed as optional at the festival but as a mandatory sport.

“It is lamentable that the game has been omitted from the 2018 NSF. But I can assure that the federation will continue to agitate for its re-introduction.’’

He said Nigeria’s performance as the best scrabble playing nation in the world in recent times was enough to list the sport as a major sport at the festival.

“We do not just want scrabble to appear for just a mere appearance sake. It is for the sustainability of the past records of overwhelming achievements this federation has attained in the past years.

“The federation’s achievements in the past years include the African Championship trophy which was won by Dennis Ikekeregor in 2004 and 2006, Wellington Jighere in 2008 and 2010, as well as Solomon Etim in 2014, amongst others.

“Scrabble is one game that has earned Nigeria many trophies. Nigeria has won the African title 11 times, as well as two Country World Cup trophies in 2015 and 2017, which has made us the best scrabble-playing nation in the world,’’ the federation president said.

Gora said further that Nigeria was the current world number two on the individual category after winning the individual trophy (world scrabble champion) in 2015 by Jighere.

NAN reports that Youth and Sports Development Minister Solomon Dalung has said performance is a major factor in classifying sports at the NSF.

The minister has however also conceded that the sports’ categorisation is the prerogative of the National Sports Council (NSC).(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Sports Minister promises better welfare package for national women football teams

Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung

Football
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, July 29, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has promised to ensure the welfare gap between the national men and women football teams is removed.

Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Dalung’s Special Assistant on Media, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja quoted Dalung as making the promise when he visited the national under-20 women team, the Falconets.

The minister had visited the team in Tirol, Austria after their 4-0 trouncing of FC Wacker Innsbruck, an Austrian Women League top-flight team, on Saturday in their final pre-tournament friendly

“I learnt that the Falconets after playing six qualifying World Cup matches, which they won, were yet to receive their match bonuses and camp allowances.

“I am against this treatment being meted to female players. It is unfair.

“My passion for women’s football is high and I don’t like the idea of treating people differently. I don’t like injustice and it doesn’t look fair for them to be in camp without their entitlements.

“These are young players and if you don’t give them the moral support they need now, when will you do that?’’ Dalung was quoted as saying.

The minister then promised to ensure that the players get all their entitlements when he gets back to Nigeria.

“I am against this idea of unparallel development of football. We must develop and invest in women’s football the same way we develop and invest in men’s football. That gap must be bridged.

“I want to assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that your welfare and that of the coaching crew is taken care of, because I want to see all these goals scored again in France.

“We will go back and work out your entitlements to ensure that the girls are comfortable in France,’’he had said.

Dalung congratulated the team for their victory and praised the coaching crew for their hardwork.

“I want to congratulate the team and their coaching crew.

“It was quite an interesting game and I am proud of you girls. Having watched you today, I’m convinced that a lot of talents are at display.

“If we are able to manage these talents for the future, we will enjoy them for a long time.

“Women’s football is growing very fast in Nigeria and looking at your determination and selflessness during your match today, I believe that in the future we will have a very strong team that will even compete like the men,’’ he added.

Dalung later gave the players a personal gift of 5,000 dollars and 2,000 dollars to the coaching crew.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Falconets will depart from their final training camp in Tirol on Thursday for the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup in France.

They should leave with a high level of confidence after scoring seven goals and conceding none in two friendly games.

The 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup silver medallists, while hammering FC Wacker Innsbruck, scored with a brace from Rasheedat Ajibade and one each from Adebisi Saheed and Chinyere Igboamalu.

A few days earlier, the Nigerian girls had spanked another Austrian top flight side, FC Bergheim 3-0.

Ajibade, who plays for FC Robo Queens of Lagos and also featured at the last tournament in Papua New Guinea, was top scorer for Nigeria in the African qualifying campaign.

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was the top scorer and best player at the 2014 finals in Canada, where the Falconets finished as runners-up behind Germany.

The Under-20 girls remain Nigeria’s most successful women’s team at global level, winning silver at the FIFA World Cup twice (Germany 2010 and Canada 2014) and bronze once (Japan 2012).

They reached the quarter-finals in Thailand (2004), Russia (2006) and Chile (2008).

NAN reports that Nigeria will battle Haiti, China and Germany in Group D of the 16-nation finals which begins on Aug. 5 and ends on Aug. 24.

Africa’s other flagbearers Ghana must negotiate a tough Group A against hosts France, New Zealand and The Netherlands.

Group B has North Korea, England, Mexico and Brazil, while the U.S., Japan, Paraguay and Spain fight it out in Group D.

The Falconets’ opening match is against perennial foes Germany (who beat Nigeria in the 2010 and 2014 Final matches) at the Stade de Marville in Saint-Malo on Aug. 6.

They then clash with Haiti at the same venue on Aug. 9 and against China in Dinan/Léhon’s Stade de Clos Gastel on Aug. 13.

To qualify for the finals, the Falconets had dismissed their Tanzanian counterparts 9-0 aggregate, brushed aside Morocco 6-2 on aggregate and whipped South Africa  8-0 over two legs in January.

NIGERIA’S 21-PLAYER SQUAD FOR FRANCE 2018

Goalkeepers: Onyinyechukwu Okeke, Rita Akarekor, Chiamaka Nnadozie

Defenders: Glory Ogbonna, Opeyemi Sunday, Mary Ologbosere, Joy Duru, Blessing Ezekiel, Oluwakemi Famuditi

Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Bashirat Amoo, Peace Efih, Adebisi Saheed, Mary Saiki, Taibat Odueke, Grace Igboamalu

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade, Anam Imo, Chidinma Okeke, Aishat Bello, Gift Monday
(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

Sport

NFF crisis: Football stakeholders promise to reconcile warring parties

Reconciliation

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, July 24, 2018 (NAN) A cross-section of football stakeholders on Tuesday in Abuja promised to reconcile the different parties in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership crisis in order to bring development to the sport.

The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, while briefing newsmen at the end of a meeting, said the promise was the stakeholders’ resolution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dalung spoke on behalf of the stakeholders after the meeting, which he convened.

He had in attendance over 20 members of the football family, and the meeting was tagged “Stakeholders Roundtable on the State of Governance of Nigeria Football’’.

The minister said the meeting was necessitated by the current crisis in Nigeria football.

“The football family has faced some challenges relating to leadership in recent times.

“Today, we decided to invite elders in the football family to help us look into the issues, discuss them and possibly suggest the way forward.

“After brainstorming and a thorough discussion of issues, we have reviewed and analysed almost everything that relate to peace and unite in the football family.

“The stakeholders in the football family have resolved that as elders they are going to look into the crisis in the NFF and reconcile the different parties so as to allow Nigeria football to grow,’’ Dalung said.(NAN)

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

FG’s action on NFF leadership crisis in order – legal practitioner

NFF

by Kayode Adebiyi/Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, July 3, 2018 (NAN) Chuks Ohuegbe, an Abuja-based legal practitioner says the decision made by the Federal Government  to reinstate Chris Giwa as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is in order.

The Federal Government on Monday,  ordered the current board of the NFF, led by Amaju Pinnick to vacate their office in respect to a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Reacting, Ohuegbe, urged the NFF to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, saying: “the decision holds better prospects for football in Nigeria”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, made the announcement in a memo, based on the Supreme Court ruling of April 27.

NAN reports that the ruling restored the orders of the Federal High Court, setting aside the purported election into the Executive Committee of the NFF held on Sept,  30, 2014.

Ohuegbe, a former Managing Editor and Legal Adviser at the Leadership Newspaper, told NAN that the Minister’s action was in accordance with the law.

“Those who are saying football issues must go to the Court of Arbitration for Sports don’t have an adequate understanding of the law.

“In law, if you are a party to any issue and you make yourself available throughout the legal process any ruling given by the court is binding on all the parties.

“Remember that all parties appeared in court and the matter went to the Supreme Court and Pinnick’s representation still remained. That is very basic and that was what happened,” Ohuegbe said.

The legal practitioner however decried the sentimental twists and conspiracy theories accorded the legal interpretation of Dalung’s decision to comply with the judgment.

“If not that Giwa is a peace-loving person, he would have been the NFF president to lead Nigeria to the World Cup.

“But he maintained that the interest of this country is above any personal interest. As the judgment creditor, he decided not to enforce the judgment until after the World Cup.

“Unfortunately, some fellows are beginning to give the issue some sentimental colourations.

“In this case, I’ll say Chris Giwa is a southerner who was brought up in Jos and has the fundamental right like every other person to seek legal redress which was what he did.

“Assuming he insisted that the April 27th judgment must be implemented immediately, what would have happened?

“Amaju Pinnick had no business being the NFF president one day beyond April 27. The  law has to take its course and that has happened now” he said.

Also reacting, a former Director-General of the defunct National Sports Commission, Gbenga Elegbeleye, said the  Supreme Court ruling, is “final”.

“This decision I think, will bring development to football in Nigeria.

“We are not getting it right now, so this will give us an opportunity to sit down and think on the way forward for football in Nigeria.

“Our football have been in crises and this is an opportunity to get it right,’’ he said.(NAN)

KIA/DE/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Sport

(Audio) Dalung urges private sector investment in sport industry

Sport minister Solomon Dalung

Sport

By kemi Ajayi

Lagos, June 7, 2018 (NAN) The Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has called on Nigeria’s private sector to invest in sports development.

Dalung made call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

The minister said that because sport had become a private-sector-driven entity globally, there was need for the private sector in the country to key into the project to exploit the enormous benefits inherent in sport investment.

Cue in audio (Dalung)

“I have always advocaTed and tried to educate the private sector about sport being a private sector driven industry the world over.

“The investment may not mature instantaneously, but it is an investment that once it matures can last for a very long time.

”So  this is the best area in which to invest.

“Other climes in the world are taking advantage of investment in sports.

”I give a very good example with the production of the Super Eagles jersey.

“Today the manufacturer of the jersey is in big trouble.

“He took the risk of investing in production,  and today he is not only harvesting the gain, he also has developed a commercial goodwill and he cannot meet the demand from people that are asking for the jersies.

“This is how profitable sports can be; you do not need to invest in everything; just pick an item in sports and then try to professionalise it, own it and you will not be able to manage the profit.”

Cue out audio

The minister said that collaboration between the government and the private sector would go a long way towards promoting sports development in the country.

According to him, the development of sport should not be left entirely in the hands of government. (NAN)

KOA/DOR/YEE

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Edited by Nyisom Dore/Emmanuel Yashim

Sport

(Audio) Nigeria’s best performance will be at World Cup — Minister

 

Sport minister, Solomon Dalung

Performance

By Kemi Ajayi

Lagos June 7, 2018 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, the Minister for Youth and Sports on Thursday urged Nigerians not to be disappointed  at the poor performance of the Super Eagles in their tune-up matches against England and Czech Republic as their best would come during the World Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles had not been impressive in the friendly matches they played against the Three Lions of England and Narodak of Czech Republic. Following the below par performance of the Super Eagles, many football fans have questioned the commitment of the team to the herculean task of defending the country’s colours in Russia.

Cue in audio (Dalung on investment)

“I appreciate the concerns of Nigerians that the last two matches seem not to meet the test of our passion, but I think the matches were played with a lot of strategic plans.

“The ultimate performance is the world cup and if in the course of playing friendlies we incapacitate our great potentials then the essence of going to the world cup is defeated.

“So, I think our team played the friendly with a lot of caution.’’

Cue out audio

Dalung told NAN that in spite of the doubts being expressed by the teeming football fans in the country, the team would likely spring up surprises at the June 14 kick-off.

“During the qualifiers for the World Cup, a lot of people didn’t believe that the Super Eagles would qualify for the event because of the way they started.

“But at the end we qualified for the competition  with a match left to play in the qualifiers, so we should hope for the best from the team and give them our support,’’he said.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles would open their account at the World Cup on June 16 against the Vatreni of Croatia at the Kaliningrad Stadium, in the City of Kaliningrad.

Nigeria is in group D alongside Argentina, Iceland and Croatia while the competition would end on July 14. (NAN)

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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Emmanuel Yashim

Sport

Take NIS to new heights, Sports Minister tasks new board

Inauguration
By Precious Isaac/Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, March 29, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has advised the new board of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) on the need to take the institution to greater heights.

Dalung gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja while inaugurating the governing boards of the NIS, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

He said it was because of this need that President Muhammadu Buhari ensured that the board members where appointed on merit.

“You must do everything possible to avoid corrupt tendencies which have been the bane of the nation’s problems,’’ the minister said.

He urged the NIS board members to steer the course of the institution to ensure it not only remains the highest sports institute in the country.

“The board should ensure the institute rises to become the best sports training institution in Africa and beyond,’’ Dalung said.

He said even though the task was enormous he was still confident that they (the members) are equal to the task ahead of them.

Turning to the NYSC and CLTC board members, Dalung advised them to see their appointment as a clarion call to duty and an invitation to a selfless service to their fatherland.

“You are all informed on the efforts of President Buhari to reposition parastatal agencies of government for efficient service delivery.

“Therefore, your appointment should not be seen as an avenue to take your share of the proverbial national cake, but rather to join in baking it,’’ he said.

Responding on behalf of the three new boards, Fatimah Balla, the Chairman of NYSC board, pledged that the members would put in their best to reposition the various agencies.

She assured that all the chairmen and board members would abide by the mandate given to them in the discharge of their duties.

“No member of the board will go out of their way to cause problems in their agencies because we all have the interest of the nation at heart and we are all committed to see to its development,’’ Balla said.

The NIS board is headed by Ibrahim Galadima as chairman, while the CLTC board is headed by Abubakar Bada as chairman.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)