October, 6 2021.
Nigeria Sports minister Sunday Dare has shown his performance and dedication to duty, that he is an hardworking Minister that dedicates his time, energy, passion and more to the smooth running of the ministry.
Just two weeks ago, he promised Nigerians a free and fair Federations elections and he delivered on his words. So far, there have been no reported cases of Election malpractices or misconduct even though there are a few protests here and there as it is with every elections into public offices.
Dare is deeply concerned about grassroots sports development in the country and that has been his primary goal. He resuscitated the once moribund Principal's Cup football competition, which is a perfect platform to identify budding talents who can be nurtured into world acclaimed Super stars that will later represent Nigeria at international competitions.
Dare has also continued to support and encourage female football in Nigeria. Only recently, the ministry under the leadership of the Oyo state born administrator, donated the sum of 50m naira as a token of their support for the Aisha Buhari Cup, a competition that brought six of Africa's best football playing nations to the Mobolaji Bank Anthony stadium formerly known as the Onikan stadium, in Lagos, Nigeria.
He also supported the just concluded Betsy Obaseki Women's Football Tournament in Edo state as a show of his undying love for the women's game and his dedication to Youth development.
In keeping his promise to always encourage serving and retired Super Eagles players, the minister only recently made former Super Eagles players, Mikel Obi and Odion Jude Ighalo football Ambassadors. He said this is his own little way to motivate these players to bring their wealth of experience after over two decades of active service into discovering young talents for Nigeria.
The Ministry also gave the Olympians and Paralympians great motivation during the just concluded Olympic games in Tokyo.
All through the event, he visited their camps constantly or sent other ministry staff to do so, just to make the athletes have a sense of belonging. Their allowances were paid on time and there were also other key benefits and incentives that insired the athletes to give their very best at the games
The adopt an athlete initiative was also a brainchild of the ministry. Dare on his own, adopted a few athletes and also encouraged his friends in the private and public sectors to do same as a way of motivating the athletes to win medals at the Olympics. This strategy too worked to a great extent.
Sunday Dare has not only been active in the area of Sports, he has also done great in the Youth sector.
In just over two years, he has achieved so much and has set a record for others after him to break or emulate.
The Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) got About 75 million Naira approved by the Federal Government, which is the first of it's kind in history. Then there is the DEEL initiative, the youth training and empowerment programmes amongst many others.
Dare has also used his connections and goodwill to develop sporting infrastructures like the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the National stadium in Surulere Lagos and the Daura Stadium. All these stadia were renovated through private and public partnership initiative.
Just last week, he hosted 3 Ministers of Sports in Abuja, and discussions was centered on how to improve sports in Nigeria and Africa at large.
It is obvious that for the first time in many years, Nigeria is lucky to have a working Minister like Sunday Dare, it is therefore very important that stakeholders should rally around him, encourage him and contribute their ideas towards returning Nigeria to where it used to be as.the giant of Africa.
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