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Tag: Sunday Dare

  • Court strikes out Bash Ali’s N500bn suit filed against former Sports Minister

    Court strikes out Bash Ali’s N500bn suit filed against former Sports Minister

    Justice Peter Kekemeke of an Abuja High Court on Thursday struck out former boxer, Bash Ali’s suit for being “statute barred”.

    ‎Ali had instituted the suit against former Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, the National Sports Commission and the  Attorney General of the Federation.

    ‎Delivering a ruling on the preliminary objection by the defendant in the suit, Kekemeke held that the case was no longer valid because the time limit for bringing it to court has passed, as defined by a statute of limitations.

    ‎“From the piece of evidence before the court, there is none pointing that the first defendant signed a contract.

    ‎“The suit was filed on Oct. 10, 2021, three months before the claimant ‘s counter affidavit , his case did not fall into the expectation known in law, the cause of Act accrued on May 20, 2020 is statute barred.

    “The notice of preliminary objection succeeds, the case is consequently struck out”.

    ‎Ali had in his suit prayed the court for an order declaring that withdrawal of support given to him was illegal.

    ‎He prayed for an order of the court directing the first defendant to reteact the defamatory matter published against him.

    ‎Ali further asked the court for an order of the court directing the first defendant to resume their support. ‎He also asked for N500 billion for loss of income among other demands.

    ‎The defendants in the case are Sunday Dare, then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports development and the Attorney General of the Federation.

  • Tinubu re-assigns new offices to Daniel Bwala, Sunday Dare

    Tinubu re-assigns new offices to Daniel Bwala, Sunday Dare

    President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.

    Mr Sunday Dare, hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser, Information and Strategy.

    “Mr Daniel Bwala, announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now Special Adviser Policy Communication.

    “These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency,” said the President.

    He said that all the three Special Advisers would collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.

    He said this approach would ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions and engagements.

  • Sunday Dare, Obaseki, Runsewe, others get recognition at 4th Sportsville Awards

    Sunday Dare, Obaseki, Runsewe, others get recognition at 4th Sportsville Awards

    The Immediate past Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, and Sen. Orji Kalu, on Friday got awarded for their contributions to sports development in Nigeria.

    The awardees were honoured at the fourth Sportsville Special Recognition Awards, at the Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos.

    Other eminent sports personalities were also rewarded for their various contributions to the growth of sports in the country.

    Dare got awarded as ‘Sports Administrator of the Year’, while Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo was honoured for providing a state-of-the-art sporting complex, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.

    Kalu and Olusegun Runsewe, President of Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF), got special recognition awards respectively.

    Others are Chairman of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye; Victor Ochei, former Delta commissioner for sports; Chief Solomon Ogba, and Igoche Mark.

    Also on the award list is Eddington Kuejubola, a one time coordinator of the Super Eagles; as well as ace sports journalist and FIFA recognised World Cup attendee, Mr Kunle Solaja, who both got special recognition awards.

     

    Sam Ochebo, President of Handball Federation, got an award for his landmark achievements in development of handball in Nigeria.

    The long list of awardees also has Hajiya Zainab Saleh, for pioneering the promotion of women in Karate in Nigeria, while Mrs Hauwa-Kulu Akinyemi, a retired director, got recognised for her prowess in sports administration at the Federal Ministry of Sports.

    Uyi Akpata, President of Nigeria Cricket Federation, got an award for championing the growth of Cricket in Nigeria, while Francis Orbih, President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Jenkins Alumona and Chikelue Iloenyosi also got rewarded for efforts in their various fields.

    Oladimeji Oshode was awarded ‘Media Officer of the Year’.

    A post humous award was given to Late Sebastian Brodricks.

    Speaking on the event, it’s Chairman and Head of Local Organising Committee, Segun Odegbami, said that the award has made significant development in recognising those that have made sports great in Nigeria.

    “This is an opportunity today to recall bits and pieces of our history, particularly the most successful sides.

    “Those that received the honours are the ones who have made significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria either in corporate organisations or individual.

    “This is a good opportunity for us to recall that history, those who have performed excellently, so I am delighted to be part of this history.

    “The award that I also received was a big surprise for me, though not as a footballer, or journalist, but as a chairman of the event,” he said.

    In his response, Dare said that he foresees a great future for Nigerian sports given the foundation he had laid while he was the minister.

    Also, Akpata said that he would continue to lay solid foundation for cricket in Nigeria.

     

  • NFF congratulates Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen on MFR award

    NFF congratulates Super Eagles’ forward, Victor Osimhen on MFR award

    Both the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi have also congratulated Super Eagles’ forward, Victor James Osimhen who has been conferred with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

    Osimhen’s name appeared on number 23 of those conferred with MFR as the list was released on Sunday.

    “The football industry has been given ample recognition this time and we commend our father, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for this. The award to Osimhen means that even as a football player, you can be honoured by your country for exceptional service and also for the way you represent the country abroad.

    “We are proud of Osimhen and what he has done and continues to do with Napoli SC in Italy and for the Super Eagles.”

    Dr. Sanusi added: “Ever since he won the FIFA U17 World Cup as record goalscorer, Osimhen has continued to rise in leaps and bounds through hard work, dedication and discipline. We believe this award will spur him to do even more for the Super Eagles and to continue to be a good ambassador of Nigeria Football internationally.”

    Osimhen has been the star-man for Napoli SC of Italy as the team won its first Italia Serie A title in 33 years a few weeks ago, and only on Sunday scored his 25th league goal of the season for the club.

  • Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour hits Nigeria in style

    Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC Trophy Tour hits Nigeria in style

    The Nigerian Police Band and the students of Chrisland School Abuja, the title sponsors of the 1st African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC), were on hand to receive the trophy as it arrived Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Monday.
    The Secretary General of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Ejiro Thukson, eight years old scrabble WizKid, Saviour Onazi and the Chrisland School team led by it’s Principal Adenariwo were on hand to receive the Nickel plated Dr. Mrs. Winifred Awosika AYSC trophy.
    A guard of honour was mounted by the elite Chrisland School to welcome the Africa Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy and after the Airport and School receptions, the trophy and the delegation that include the President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), Engineer Toke Aka, President Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, was received by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare.
    And in a bid to encourage young talented kids to embrace the game of words, the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, has added Saviour Onazi, the Junior Scrabble Champion into the 10 youths Talent Hunt Programme. The Minister Sunday Dare, said a one-off payment will be made to support his education and from time to time, the Ministry will honour requests from the NSF pertaining to him and his progress in the sport.
    The Trophy Tour moves to Nigeria’s economic capital Lagos on Tuesday. Trophy is expected to arrive Lagos by 10:15am and it will move to some selected Chrisland Schools.
    The Pan African Scrabble Association delegation led by it’s President Adekoyejo Adegbesan, will pay a courtesy visit to Dr. Mrs Winifred Awosika, the founder of Chrisland Schools, the title sponsors of the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship (AYSC).
    The Nigeria Trophy Tour ends on Wednesday. The tour started from Accra, Ghana, it later moved to two Kenyan cities, Eldoret and Nairobi before hitting Nigeria and after, it will land in Liberia and Uganda.
    President of Pan Africa Scrabble Association (PANASA), Adekoyejo Adegbesan, who has been on the Trophy Tour with a former World Champion, Wellington Jighere said Monday’s event underlines the significance of scrabble in human development.
    “We are glad with the impact the Dr Winifred Awosika Africa Youth Scrabble Championship Trophy Tour has made on many communities and groups including school children in Africa. The Sports Ministers of the countries it has gone to in the past weeks have expressed strong support for the development of scrabble as a competitive sport.”
    “So for the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, to receive the trophy as we brought it to Nigeria which is hosting these two new tournaments in August, this signifies the new status and heights scrabble has climbed to in the country especially among our youths.” He said.
    Over a hundred and twenty young talented scrabble kids from 12 African countries are expected to compete for honours in two categories U-15 and U-19 at the maiden edition of the Pan African Youth Scrabble Championship scheduled to hold in Idimu-Lagos between the 24th and 28th of August.
  • Hosting 2025 AFCON with Benin Republic will improve Nigeria’s economy – Dare

    Hosting 2025 AFCON with Benin Republic will improve Nigeria’s economy – Dare

    Outgoing minister of Sports in Nigeria, Sunday Dare has said that hosting the 2025 AFCON will open doors for the country’s socio-economic development.

    Nigeria and Republic du Benin have jointly submitted a bid to host the 2025 AFCON tournament after initial host Guinea’s hosting right was withdrawn by CAF.

    Dare, who said that the Federal Government was still waiting for CAF to decide on the bid, believes the country has done all expected of it by the African body, which recently inspected the nation’s facilities to ascertain whether they are ready for the biennial event.

    Dare made this comment on a radio show in Lagos yesterday.

    “This is not the first time Nigeria is seeking to co-host the AFCON with a neighbouring African country. Benin Republic was the first country initially given the right to bid for the 2025 AFCON, but Nigeria had to join them because they know they cannot do it alone.

    “Already, CAF/FIFA representatives have visited Abuja, Uyo and other designated stadiums for the AFCON. The sports ministry is waiting for CAF’s verdict to know the next step to take,” he said.

    Dare disclosed that seven ministries, including the Ministry of Interior, are ready to put their resources together to achieve the hosting bid.

    “If the CAF verdict does not favour Nigeria and we can’t host the 2025 AFCON, Nigeria still has the chance to bid for the 2027 edition,” he said.

     

  • Sports Minister orders closure of National Stadium, Lagos

    Sports Minister orders closure of National Stadium, Lagos

    The Minister of Youths and Sport Development, Sunday Dare, on Saturday announced the temporary closure of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, due to the collapse of a floodlight mast.

    Dare made this known in a statement after inspecting the collapsed floodlight mast.

    Dare had paid a scheduled visit to the stadium on Friday, promising to make his stand known after due assessment.

    However, after the tour round the stadium, the minister ordered the closure of the stadium to avert any unforseen circumstances.

    “Thank God there was no casualty. I also inspected the three other light masts and the effects of age and weather elements were visible, clearly, they are also a suspect after 51 years.

    “Based on my assessment, advice of experts and in the interest of public safety, there will be a temporary closure of the stadium and surrounding facilities; proper assessment and necessary action will be taken soon.

    “The concession process towards fully privatising the Surulere stadium which began last year will be expedited by the Federal Government through the ICRC towards a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the 51 years old edifice.

    “We have decided to be on the side of caution, hence the decision to impose extensive restrictions around the stadium.

    “We request the cooperation of anyone who this decision may inconvenience as we cannot ascertain the reality on the ground,” said the minister.

  • Sports Minister, Dare orders closure of National Stadium Surulere

    Sports Minister, Dare orders closure of National Stadium Surulere

    Sunday Dare, the honourable Minister of Youths and Sports Development, has announced the temporary closure of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos,  after the floodlight mast collapsed few days ago.

    The sports minister inspected the collapsed floodlight mast and other facilities at the stadium before ordering its closure.

    The Minister had paid a scheduled visit to the stadium on Friday, promising to make his stand known after due assessment.

    However, after the tour round the stadium, the minister ordered the closure of the stadium to avert any unforeseen circumstances.

    “Thank God there was no casualty. I also inspected the three other light masts and the effects of age and weather elements were visible, clearly, they are also a suspect after 51 years.

    “Based on my assessment, advice of experts and in the interest of public safety, there will be a temporary closure of the stadium and surrounding facilities; proper assessment and necessary action will be taken soon.

    “The concession process towards fully privatising the Surulere stadium which began last year will be expedited by the Federal Government through the ICRC towards a comprehensive rehabilitation and upgrade of the 51 years old edifice.

    The Minister added the decision to impose extensive restrictions around the stadium was to be on the side of caution.

    Dare then requested the understanding of Nigerians who the decision may inconvenience.

  • Dare charges NFF to prepare Flying Eagles to win FIFA World Cup

    Dare charges NFF to prepare Flying Eagles to win FIFA World Cup

    The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare has tasked the Nigeria Football Federation to adequately prepare the U20 boys, Flying Eagles, to challenge for the FIFA U20 World Cup trophy in Indonesia in a few weeks.

     

    Hon. Dare threw the challenge to the NFF and Head Coach Ladan Bosso at a reception hosted for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations bronze medallists at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday.

     

    “You have returned from Egypt with the bronze medals and the FIFA World Cup ticket, and a few other prizes, but the FIFA World Cup is in a few weeks and I want you to focus your mind on winning it for Nigeria for the first time. I understand Ghana is the only African country that has won the FIFA U20 World Cup. If Ghana can win it, why not Nigeria?

     

    “I am happy about your performance in Egypt because you were able to come from a position of adversity – a depressing loss to The Gambia in the semi final – to fire on all cylinders to defeat Tunisia for the bronze medals. That is the spirit that the Government and people of Nigeria want you to take to the World Cup. We are on the same page with the NFF on adequate preparation of our National Teams for matches and competitions, and I believe they will provide you with good-enough preparation for the global finals in Indonesia.”

     

    Head Coach Bosso praised the Minister for his fatherly love, encouragement and support for the team since hosting the team to a similar reception after it won the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey 10 months ago.

     

    “We are always encouraged by your inspiring and motivating words, and the length you go to simply to support the team and our dreams. I told you after the victory in Niamey that our target was doing well at the AFCON in order to earn a FIFA World Cup ticket. Now, just as I told the Nigeria Ambassador to Egypt in Cairo on Saturday, I want you to know that our fresh target is doing very well at the FIFA World Cup,” Bosso said. All players and team officials were at the reception, bar Belgium-based Ahmed Abdullahi, who is back at his base in Europe.

     

    Also at the reception were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar; Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr. Simon Ebhojiaye; Chairman of the IMC, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye; Chief of Staff to the Hon. Minister, Alhaji Abba Abdullahi Yola; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire and; NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor.

     

    The Flying Eagles will go on a short break before reconvening for the phased preparations for the FIFA World Cup, taking place in Indonesia, 20th May – 11th June.

     

  • FG opens up on plan to make NYSC optional

    FG opens up on plan to make NYSC optional

    The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, says there is no plan by the Federal Government to make the mandatory one year NYSC programme optional.

    He said this during the14th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB)’s Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said the rationale behind the establishment of the scheme in 1973 was the need to promote unity in the country.

    Dare said that the livewire of any nation is its youths, adding that “once you captured their patriotism, that can spread cross.

    “The rationale behind establishing the NYSC by Gen. Yakubu Gowon still subsists, as every country and even Nigeria is still on a daily basis promoting its unity in diversity.”

    He said that a committee to organise the celebration of the NYSC at 50 in May 2023 would be inaugurated on Wednesday, adding that “with all the testimonies, no one will subscribe to scraping or even making the scheme optional.”

    He explained that the scheme is looking forward to carrying out some reforms that would further add value to it.

    He said “reform is a constant thing, the NYSC is looking at some reforms, we had challenges with those in the diaspora, certain aspects of whether you can serve or not has been there.

    “The NYSC is working to make sure that those areas that are faulty about the laws are addressed.

    “There is a solid data base that would detect if a graduate has fake certificate or not.”

    On the recent removal of Brig-Gen. Muhammad Fadah as Director-General of the scheme, he said it
    was central to youths of Nigeria.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari would not allow anything that would destroy the scheme.

    Fadah was removed in November barely six months after he assumed office in May 2022.