 FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE .. .restates Government's commitment to athletes' welfare.... In his avowed commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has undertaken an inspection tour of Centre of Nigeria's Sports Hall of Fame, which houses the names and portraits of sports heroes and heroines in the country. At the inspection tour of the Centre today, which is situated at the Main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the Minister restated government's commitment to athletes' welfare saying that the Ministry was ready to key into any initiative that will contribute, not only to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria but also the welfare of athletes who have made the nation proud, both in the past and present. Senator Owan Enoh stated further that the Ministry was determined to set up a proper Hall of Fame for our sports men and women that will meet up the international standard in line with the policy thrust of the present administration. The Minister informed that he decided to visit the gallery to see things for himself and to further ascertain what needs to be done so as to ensure that the Hall of Fame properly warehouses those priceless memorabilia where people can come and see them. Senator Owan Enoh who explained that sports is the most unifying sector in the country, assured that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration is committed to the development of the sector not only for recreational purposes but also to provide jobs for our teeming youth thereby alleviating poverty in the country. He stated that Nigeria will ever remain greatful to these sports icons who made it possible for heŕ to be recognised amongst the comity of sporting nations, we will ever remain grateful to our athletes, especially those who raised the country's flag high through podium finishes, thus providing us opportunity of joining the comity of sporting nations he said. Senator Owan Enoh who commended the initiative, called on the Management of the Centre to avail him with proper briefing on the Sports Hall of Fame to enable the Ministry look into possible areas of broadening the scope of the project for socio-economic development of the nation. Speaking earlier, President of Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, Nicholas Kwanta, said that Nigeria needs to celebrate her athletes in order to encourage more people to go into sports. He informed that many great athletes who had made the country proud in their active time have been forgotten because the country was not keeping records of her athletes’ achievements, stressing that many achievements by Nigerian athletes have not been documented over the years. Kwanta stated that the project was an initiative aimed at heralding as well as preserving the contributions of sports heroes and heroines to the development of the country. He therefore called for the Ministry's support in ensuring the realization of this feat, adding that keying into the initiative will boost athletes' performance, both in their present and future performances. Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations October 4, 2023
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 FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE. .... Urges them to maintain the good work for the benefit of the country. As the 7th edition of the National Youth Games is rounding off, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has declared open the 2023 Sports Writers Association of Nigeria's (SWAN) Convention At the ocassion which held today in Asaba, the Delta State Capital, Senator Owan Enoh enjoined the Sports veterans to continue to support the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration in its efforts to ensure the development of sports in the country for the benefit of our teeming youth. Represented by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mohammed Manga, the Minister urged SWAN members to continue with the good work they are doing, especially their positive reportage on government programmes for the benefit of all Nigerians. Let me urge you to continue the good work you are doing, especially your support to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration's efforts in the development of sports for the benefit of our country. he said. The Minister who commended them also congratulated SWAN for successfully hosting the convention and wished them fruitful deliberations. Speaking earlier, the President, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr Isaiah Benjamin thanked the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, his Ministry, as well as the Delta State Government for making the successful hosting of the 7th Edition of the National Youth Games possible Mr Benjamin said that SWAN is appreciative of their support and understanding since the beginning of the games. While calling on his members to continue to support the efforts of the government in developing the sports sector through their objective and balanced reportage, the President assured that the Association will continue to collaborate with relevant authorities with a view to ensuring the provision of an enabling environment for all the members in the execution of their duties. Also speaking, the representative of the Delta State Sports Commission, Mr Etu Moses, advised SWAN to take their profession seriously as it is a noble one. He assured that Delta State will continue to support the efforts of the journalism profession, especially as they are key stakeholders in the development of the nation. Signed Mrs. Grace Njoku Assistant Director, Press & Public Relations, September 29, 2023  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE The Federal Government has restated its determination to use the National Identification Number (NIN) rather than facial screening of athletes during National Youth Games with a view to ensure speedy elimination of age cheat in the Games The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh gave the assurance today in Asaba, the Delta State Capital during an interactive session with journalists. Senator Owan Enoh stated that his directive to the officials on the mandatory presentation of National Identity Number during the screening of athletes was irreversible as Government is determined to get it right from the grassroots. While clarifying the issue on facial screening that NIN must be used to resolve it, and athletes must insist on it, he added that the system may not be perfect for the moment but we all must ensure that we improve on the process for the purpose of sports development in the country. He informed that age cheat in the game meant for the discovery and development of budding talents for the country at the grassroots has become a cankerworm which if not completely eliminated, was capable of crippling government's efforts at developing grassroots sports The issue of age cheat in sports is an area in which the Ministry requires the support and collaboration of all stakeholders, including the media. On our part, one of the innovations at this year’s edition of the Games is the introduction of the National Identity Number (NIN) as part of the verification process for athletes. Working with other stakeholders, we shall keep improving the process as we move along until we reduce to the barest minimum, the issue of age cheat in sports. We have to get this right as a nation if we hope to achieve sports excellence. I have directed that NIN presentation is a compulsory requirement for screening and the directive has not been reversed "he said. The Minister explained that his focus on Sports Development is grassroots and Elite sports. Government he said, will continue to support grassroots sports through the provision of infrastructure upgrade using the National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP) provisions when it fully becomes implemented. He noted that this year’s edition of the Youth Games provides a unique opportunity for us to rewrite the story of our sports in the country as it is coming at a time when we have a President who is interested in uplifting the sports sector to the next level with the creation of a Ministry solely responsible for sports. I can assure you that the present leadership of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall pay undivided attention to the development of the abundant talents in the nation. We do this not just with an eye on podium performances but for creating a career pathway for our youth and millions of job opportunities in the sports value chain, reduce poverty amongst our youth and encourage inclusiveness of women participation in sports with a view to improving security he said. He assured further that government will continue to ensure early exposure of athletes to necessary infrastructure that will equip them not only to exhibit their sporting talents but also to afford them the opportunity to equip themselves for transition to the elite stage Signed Mohammed Manga, FCAI Director Press and Public Relations . September 24, 2023.  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT,
ABUJA Corringendum In line with the tradition, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is to flag off the 7th edition of the National Youth Games scheduled to officially commence today, Saturday, September 23, 2023 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, the Delta State Capital. The President, represented at the occasion by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh is to be joined by the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and other top government officials from Delta State The opening ceremony has commenced at the main bowl of the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The event is expected to feature not less than 5,742 athletes from across the federation including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who will jostle for honours in about 30 sports. Signed Mohammed Manga, FCAI Director, Press and Public Relations September 23, 2023  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE In its avowed determination to ensure the development of the sports sector, the Federal Government has called on stakeholders in football to ensure that they work in synergy with a view to harnessing the country's huge potentials in the game The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh gave the charge today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when he had an interactive session with officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Nigerian Referees Association (NRA) and Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) He stated that the interaction was imperative at this point in time that Nigeria is preparing for the 2023 African Cup of Nations, (AFCON) competition holding early next year. According to him, synergizing for the purpose of developing the game will not only open up the opportunities inherent in the industry but also provide the country with the opportunity for proper officiating representation during global competitions. He explained that sports is a unifying factor in Nigeria and therefore the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration is committed to the development of the sector not only as a recreation but with a view to creating jobs, reducing poverty, enhancing security as well as providing opportunity for women participation in sports and football in particular. Sports means a lot to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as well as millions of Nigerians, specifically, football unites the people irrespective of their tribe, religion or cultural affiliations, the Minister said Senator Owan Enoh informed that it is in the light of this, that this engagement was conveyed to seek for solutions and the way forward to the non-inclusion of the country's officiating representation at the 2023 CAF competition. While urging the stakeholders to ensure inclusivity by working assiduously towards putting up durable structures at the grassroots for both female and male participation in football, the Minister assured that government will continue to create an enabling environment for the development of sports in Nigeria He therefore called on them as critical stakeholders in football development in the country, to join hands with the government in finding solutions to the issues surrounding the non-inclusion of the country's representation at the 2023 CAF competition Earlier, the leader of the Team and Chairman, Nigeria Premier Football League, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye commended the Minister for the engagement, noting that it was the first time a Minister of Sports was calling for such an interaction with a view to finding solutions to issues surrounding the non-inclusion of the country's officiating representation at a competition He assured that the Team will go back to the drawing board to ensure they brainstorm on the way forward and thereafter submit their recommendations to the government. Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations September 15, 2023 FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE The Federal Government has expressed its desire to collaborate with Spain and other countries of the world in the field of sports, with a view to ensuring that her huge sporting potentials are tapped for the socio-economic growth and development of the nation The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh stated this today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when he received the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Juan Ignacio Sell He stated that Spain was undoubtedly a renowned country in the field of sports, especially its Football League, the Spanish La Liga, a feat which the present administration is interested in replicating in the country Sports diplomacy, Senator Owan Enoh added, has become a very potent weapon in global diplomacy, and the President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, having recognized Nigeria's huge sporting potentials, created the Ministry of Sports Development with a mandate to work assiduously towards ensuring that these potentials are harvested and adequately deployed so as not only to enable the country join the comity of sporting nations of the world but also provide for job creation, poverty alleviation, security and inclusiveness through women participation in sports The potentials of sports in Nigeria is huge, the present administration intends to turn this potential to achievements, to go beyond the world of potentials and also make Nigeria become a renowned country in the field of sports, he said The Minister who was earlier presented with a copy of an MoU that was signed by the previous administration, assured the Spanish Ambassador of Federal Government's determination to collabobate with other nations of the world, especially in the area of sports development. He explained that the resolutions contained in the MoU will be looked at so as to identify areas of mutual benefit to both nations Speaking earlier, the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Juan Ignacio Sell stated that he was in the Ministry to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and to further seek for collaboration with Nigeria in the field of sports. According to him, Nigeria is a country that has high potentials in sports that can be harnessed and if adequately tapped, the country will join the commity of sporting nations He expressed the willingness of his country to collaborate with Nigeria, not only to harness its sporting potentials but also to turn them into achievements for the benefit of both countries Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press & Public Relations September 15, 2023  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT,
ABUJA PRESS RELEASE In line with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, the Federal Government, has assured of athletes' clean participation in all competitions both within and across the globe. The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh gave the assurance today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, when he met with the members of the Nigerian Olympic and Anti-Doping Committee. He stated that the meeting aims at providing him with first hand information about the challenges bedevilling the Committee as regards to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines' compliance with a view to systematically addressing them for the development of the sector Senator Owan Enoh stated further that the interaction was one of the series of strategies he is taking to holistically ensure clean participation of Team Nigeria in all international and local competitions in line with WADA global guidelines. He explained that President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is very passionate about sports development in the country, not only to serve as a recreation but more importantly, to ensure inclusiveness, security, poverty alleviation as well as job creation through sports and that is why he added, the President created the Ministry of Sports Development and appointed me to saddle its affairs so as to ensure the realisation of the administration's policy objective The Minister informed that he will emplore all necessary steps to ensure correctional measures are taken to meet up with the timeliness of WADA rules and regulations, as well as other critical corrective actions that will address extended non conformity and general important issues to avoid the country's lack of adherence being questioned. While calling on the Committee to draw up programmes that will support government towards domesticating the United Nations Convention into law and ensuring that other requirements needed for adequate compliance with Anti Doping are met for the cleanliness of our athletes during championships, Owan Enoh reminded them to continue to support the efforts of the present administration in its bid to develope the sector for economic growth especially, considering the fact that they are key stakeholders in the industry Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Anti-Doping Committee, Professor Ken Anugweje stated that the engagement was conveyed to provide for better opportunity to acquaint the Minister with the challenges bedevilling the Agency which hinder its efficiency such as lack of training of personnel, insufficient manpower as well as inadequate funding with á view to finding lasting solutions to them. He applauded the wisdom of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for creating a Ministry of Sports Development and appointing a colossus administrator to saddle its affairs. Professor Anugweje assured that the Committee will support the efforts of the Federal Government in ensuring clean participation of her athletes in all her competitions in line with the WADA guidelines. While commending the Honourable Minister for the efforts he is making to reposition the sector, the President, Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr Habu Gumel reminded him that Nigeria is yet to establish WADA Act of Parliament into law. He therefore appealed to the Minister to use his good offices to ensure that the bill is pased into law Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations September 14, 2023  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE The Federal Government has called on Sports Federations in the country to be result oriented and ensure their activities are geared towards unearthing talents at the grassroots while helping current elite competitors strive to raise the nation's flag high through podium finishes in all competitions. The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh made the call today in his office at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja when he engaged the Presidents and Secretaries of National Sports Federations in an interactive session Owan Enoh stated that the meeting was aimed at providing him with the opportunity to holistically assess the state of affairs of all Federations with a view to systematically addressing them for the development of the sector. He added that the Ministry under his watch, will continue to play its statutory, supervisory and advisory roles on all sports Federations in the country in order to ensure proper governance as well as oversight on the plans each Federation executes. The Minister charged them to show more commitment, passion and be focused in their activities so as to ensure success in their fields of sporting endeavours in line with the policy thrust of the present administration While urging them to place the interest of the country above their personal interests, Senator Owan Enoh assured that government will focus on turning the tide to place less emphasis on positions and offices but instead on athletes' welfare, infrastructure upgrade and development of the sector, among others. The Minister who described the Federations as critical stakeholders in the industry, called on them to join hands with the federal government to ensure the development of the sector Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar stated that the meeting was conveyed to provide an opportunity to interact and brainstorm on issues that bother on efficiency and effectiveness of the Federations with a view to finding solutions administratively for them. He assured that the Ministry will continue to create an enabling environment for the implementation of the initiatives, policies, programmes and projects of government for the empowerment of the teeming Nigerian youth through sports, thereby alleviating poverty, improving security and also contributing to the economic growth and development of the nation. Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations September 12, 2023  FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA
PRESS RELEASE As the 1st African Para Games tagged Accra 2023, sets to round off in Ghana, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has congratulated Team Nigeria for again, making the nation proud by clinching two medals in the women's wheel chair tennis, singles and doubles categories. Senator Owan Enoh, in his message to the athletes and officials, stated thàt Nigeria was able to join 20 other countries to compete for laurels at the Games despite dwindling resources, demonstrating the commitment of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration to poverty alleviation and empowerment of people living with disabilities through sports. He explained that the participation of Team Nigeria at the Competition which is the first of its kind, held after over three and half decades of the establishment of the African Sports Confederation of the Disabled/African Paralympic Committee (APC), will in addition, afford the nation's Para Athletes an opportunity to experience a Multi-Para Sporting event on the African Continent. The Minister informed that the Competition, with about 6000 participants, will, among others, serve as a Catalyst for further development and promotion of Para-Sports in Africa He reiterated the commitment of the present administration's resolve to ensuring the creation of an enabling environment for our athletes and in particular, athletes living with disabilities in the country, not only to afford them the opportunity to showcase their sporting talents across the globe but also to raise the nation's flag high through podium finishes at all international competitions. The Minister noted that although, Team Nigeria had won only two medals so far at the ongoing competition, Nigerians will ever remain grateful to them for their patriotism, especially considering their excellent performances in other international competitions in the near past. Senator Owan Enoh added that as the Minister of Sports Development, he has passionate support for Para-Sports, and thus will not live any stone unturned in ensuring that under his watch, the existing medium already created and dedicated to coordinate, promote and manage the development of Para – Sports in Nigeria is strengthened for better performance. This, he said, will make it possible to utilize Para-Sports as a veritable tool for accelerated social integration and inclusion of persons living with disabilities, in line with the policy thrust of the present administration. The Minister, therefore, called on relevant stakeholders in the industry as well as sports loving Nigerians to lend their support, especially towards the development of Para-Sports in the country with a view to also giving the athletes, a sense of belonging Team Nigeria is expected back from the 10-day event on Wednesday 13, September, 2023. Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations September 11, 2023 SPORTS MINISTER MEETS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INDUSTRY, SEEKS COLLABORATION FOR THE SECTOR'S DEVELOPMENT9/1/2023  PRESS RELEASE:
FEDERAL MINISTRY OF SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, ABUJA SPORTS MINISTER MEETS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE INDUSTRY, SEEKS COLLABORATION FOR THE SECTOR'S DEVELOPMENT In his renewed commitment to the development of sports in the country, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, has held an interactive session with relevant stakeholders in the sports industry with a view to repositioning the sector, in line with global realities. At the meeting which held today in Lagos, the Minister stated that the interaction was imperative, especially, considering the fact that sports has remained the most unifying factor in Nigeria. Senator Enoh informed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is passionate about the development of sports in the country, not only as recreation but also to provide opportunity for economic empowerment, job creation, security and poverty alleviation, among others. The Minister who described the meeting as a family one, called on stakeholders in the industry, sports loving Nigerians and the media in particular, to partner with the present Administration in order to develop the sector. This, he said, can be achieved through objective, balanced and positive reportage by the media. He added that the present administration recognises the media as key to achieving growth and development of sports in Nigeria as sports is featured daily in the news. Senator Enoh informed that he would continue to consult and collaborate with stakeholders in the sports industry, private and corporate organizations towards the realization of government’s objective of repositioning the sector for economic growth and development of our nation. The Minister explained that his tour of sporting facilities across the country is to enable him have a first hand knowledge of the state of these facilities and the steps that are best to be taken in order to bring them back to glory. He noted that his focus, in addition, is to ensure the development of sports, right from grassroot because, according to him, the talents are right in there The Minister, who explained further that he has an open heart for the sector, assured that he will live no stone unturned in ensuring the development of sports in the country, and as such would also meet with the Presidents and Secretaries of all the sporting federations in the country. We need to sit down, commit and agree on what we want to achieve with the various federations, and the best way to achieve these targets Enoh added that he will give attention to all sports and not only a selected few, as he would work towards achieving all targets of the administration. Due to my strong passion to succeed, it will do no good for me to take sides. I am approaching this job with an open mind and at all times, I will support the best. The interest of the nation must always come first I am Minister of Sports and not Minister of football or cricket or basketball, he said Speaking earlier, the Group Sports Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Tony Ubani assured that the media will continue to partner with government with a view to ensuring the development of sports in the country. This he said, will be done through objective and balanced reportage of all sporting activities. Signed Mohammed Manga Director, Press and Public Relations September 1, 2023 |
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