Speaking to stakeholders in Lagos during his stadium inspection, Senator John Enoh, Minister of Sports Development, disclosed that his major two-fold focus would rest on Sports Development and Sports for Development as a way of harnessing the potential of sports for Nigeria. This justifies what Kenneth Kaunda once said that “sports is power” meaning that success in sports has the potential to create openings for the betterment of society.
Ayo Akinfe in his analysis of sports, agreed that it’s time to deliver on the pitch, track and field, our own kind of unique brand of football and start selling it as a global brand. Nigeria’s Football to him, is based on pace, quick counter – attacks physicality and athleticism. He affirmed that it is now time to turn it into a global brand.
Some Nigerian coaches are better professionals in discovery, training and their end product is to export this hope of the country to other serious minded countries that understand the game of ‘Trade by Barter’. Many sports fans are adjusting to focus on sports activities, going by the assured promises of the new minister to reintroduce reality to sports development, with a robust and achievable template.
Government at many times past had been convinced to pump money into sports in the name of sponsoring international events but after the championships, what is being given back to same governments that have shown benevolence are excuses that show ‘illiteracy’ on them that give the excuses and partially too, on the part of consumers in the highest places of consideration.
Many foreign countries look up to accepting Nigerian athletes because of their raw and untapped strength that does not easily get exhausted, nor are they willing to succumb to weakness because of the financial involvement. A pertinent poser is why a country would really settle for third grade choices and the mediocre when her citizens have capacity to be among the first rate class in the global reckoning.
Former President Mohammadu Buhari saw the degenerated prospects of our youth, while recognising the fact that they are a predominant and viable potential force in the society that should be guided properly and enabled to become prosperous, using different empowerment programmes that have been rolled out, and which will make them more relevant, reliable and highly sought after in future.
The President lamented the increasing number of unfulfilled and ignorant Nigerian youths in comparison to their counterparts globally, which necessitated his release of N75 billion to the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development to disburse to them, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ministry of National Planning, the Ministry of Finance and other related agencies. But the question remains how many sports youths were captured in that project and how many sports equipments were bought to improve performance in sports development, in relation to the population needing such interventions.
It is said that ‘’to whom Honour is due, Honour should be given”. In that regard, former President Muhammadu Buhari has a praiseworthy record to have released such a huge sum of money to bolster the youths, but should such honour also be extended to those that distributed the unseen money which many critics say remains to be appreciated more from ghost youths. Settling the youth into meaningful enterprises is cardinal, giving that Africans are now seen to be rising up to revolt with a loud NO to the mentality of the rich who do not know that “as long as the poor do not have to sleep, they (the poor) will sleep in front of the rich man’s gate”.
What is yet to be appreciated regarding the N75b released for the youth is to the extent to which the “major projects” to constitute a pointer to commend the input of those highly educated in Harvard and other Higher schools. The past Minister boasted of increasing the yearly budget of the Ministry from N2.5billion to N5.2billion naira yet the ministry atimes could not fund credible championships.
The disclosure of this budget was made at the velodrome in November, 2021. Having initiated visible and dependable projects, where are projects today to be credited during the inspections by the new Minister? The inspections of Sen. Enoh do not seem to agree with what the eyes saw, indicating that much more strategising and hardwork need to be done, to accomplish the ultimate goal of repositioning and accelerating sports development.
However, the inspections of the Minister opened his eyes to the galaxy of uncompleted and completed projects of contractors documented by staff to be in good shape. The past Minister intensified effort to increase the budget of the Ministry but did not complete either the hostel or hotel in the stadium that would have given him a more prominent name and be lasting remark. Notwithstanding, he will forever be remembered as the only Minister that worked with three Permanent Secretaries in a short time, with all the associated challenges and dislocations.
I appreciate the new Minister for not only recognising the contributions of the likes of Aliko Dangote and Kesenthon Adebutu in the development of sports infrastructures, but also their selflessness which speaks volumes of what they can do for their country unconditionally.
Enoh can indeed make tremendous impact and mileage by involving state governors and the private sector to sponsor any sports of their choice for the benefit of up coming athletes and consolidation of those in the elite cadre.
The minister’s antecedents, no doubt, project him as a go-getter and being a man with listening ears, analytical mind and kind heart, it is expected that he will find favor at all the critical junctures of his needs from all stakeholders, which will be a veritable catalyst for a resounding success for him in the course of this national assignment.
Nwokorie, a press officer, Ministry of Sports Development, writes via 08069456745.
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