TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sunday Dare

  • Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Discontent as Ogun emerges host of 2024 National Sports Festival

    Sabina Chikere, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Edo Sports Commission has called for a review of the criteria for awarding the hosting rights of a National Sports Festival (NSF).

    Chikere, who made the call in Asaba on the sidelines of the 21st National Sports Festival (NSF), said so many things were wrong with “Delta 2022” that came to a close on Saturday.

    At the close of the 21st NSF, Ogun emerged as the next host of the sports festival, their second hosting after their first in 2006.

    Chikere, expressed dissatisfaction with the logistics arrangement at the festival, noting that the Edo sports authorities were not comfortable with where their contingent was kept.

    “The tournament is just a charade. A lot of things are not just right. I am sure that, as you are coming in from the gate, you can see it for yourself. You really don’t need anybody to tell you what all this is about.

    “From the gate up to this place, you can see where we are all kept. You can see the environment. You can see everything. We came in here. As we speak now, there is no light. That is how we stay most of the time.

    “But we give the glory at least, that we have come this far. We can now only hope for the best,” Chikere said.

    She added that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development needed to insist on putting in place certain rules and regulations.

    ”The Ministry needs to make sure that whichever state is hosting has a guide on what is expected. It should be able to give guidelines on what they expect from the hosting state.

    ”The Ministry should make sure the state meets up with the requirements so that, at the end of the day, there will be a semblance of a National Sports Festival,” the Permanent Secretary said.

    On the performance of Edo at the festival, Chikere assured that the state’s athletes would strive in line with the promises made to the people of Edo.

    “So far so good. We are hoping for the best like we promised our Edo people before we left. We are doing our best to be part of those at the top of the table, and we are working towards it.

    “The games are still on and it is not over until it is over. There is still hope. We will put up a very good performance,” the Edo sports commission official said.

    Meanwhile, announcing Ogun State as the next of the NSF, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare disclosed that for the first time the competition’s hosting right would have a first runner-up in Oyo State.

    He explained that the essence of placing a willing state on stand-by was to make them ready in case the earlier chosen state failed to meet up.

    Dare said five states put in the bid to host the 22nd edition of the festival billed for 2024.

  • Asaba 2022: Dare commends Delta state over successful hosting

    Asaba 2022: Dare commends Delta state over successful hosting

    Sports Minister Sunday Dare has thanked everyone that was involved in the organization and hosting of the 21st national sports festival, saying they all gave their all.

    Dare mentioned this while hosting journalist at the Cyson hotel in Asaba on Friday afternoon.

    The minister revealed that the Asaba 2022 tournament was hurriedly put together in order for  the calendar to be adjusted and return to it’s original format after the delay in 2020 by Covid.

    “We were able to sustain momentum after the festival in Edo. We made sure we did this festival in 18 months to adjust the calendar and after then, we will return to our calendar in April,” he said.

    The minister was glad that all the athletes got to participate at the festival and displayed skills that puts them in contention to represent the nation.

    “More importantly, I think that 14,000 athletes getting the opportunity to compete, notwithstanding some of the challenges, is important. They will go from here, getting better, getting recognised and making up a part of our Team Nigeria that will go forth from here,” he said.

    “Overall, we have seen all stakeholders come together to make this happen. In sports, nothing is a hundred percent, but you try to make it as close to a hundred percent as it can get and when you see your challenges, you try and fix it,” he said.

    “My impression is that this by and large, has been a commendable effort. The athletes have kept their eye at the tip of the sphere, the journalists have focused more on the essence of being here. The Delta State government have provided the resources neccessary for this to happen. We thank all the 36 states, their governors, and the FCT.” he said.

    The minister then promised that the ministry will try to get things better the next time the festival comes into town.

  • Sport ministry will assist ailing ex-international, Henry Nwosu – Dare

    Sport ministry will assist ailing ex-international, Henry Nwosu – Dare

    Nigeria’s Minister for Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has said that the ministry will help assist the ailing former Green Eagles star, Henry Nwosu, saying the 1980 AFCON winner would get the necessary assistance to fully recuperate and recover fully.

    Dare expressed worry over the ex-internationals ill health, saying something urgent would be done as soon as possible.

    He said: “I empathize with our dear Henry Nwosu and his family, at a time like this. Already, efforts are ongoing to reach him. We respect him as one who flew the flag of the country high and a legend of the  National Team.”

    The Sports Minister, through his Ministry, has reached out to ex Internationals, who needed help in the past, and promised that Henry Nwosu will also get the assistance of the Ministry.

    “We respect and honour the labour of our heroes, past and present,  and so we have  assisted them before and Henry Nwosu will not be left out of it.”

  • Take advantage of sports facilities for self development -Sunday Dare to youths

    Take advantage of sports facilities for self development -Sunday Dare to youths

    Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, has called on youths to take advantage of the sporting facilities provided at the grassroots to develop their budding talents.

    Dare said this in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director, Press and Public Relations of the ministry in Abuja on Thursday.

    He said that such act would enable them to compete favourably with their counterparts across the globe.

    The minister made the call during the official commissioning of a 500 capacity mini stadium in Ode-Aremo, Oyo State.

    According to him, the facility being commissioned comprises a football pitch, two block of public toilets, borehole with overhead tank and water reticulation as well as solar street lights.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had in the last seven years, committed much resources into the rehabilitation of moribund sporting facilities as well as building of new ones across the country.

    According to Dare, this is aimed at engaging the nation’s over 60 per cent youth population, to provide them with the opportunity to explore their sporting skills with a view to making themselves and the country proud.

    “We have over 100 sporting facilities built by government across the country but because of lack of good maintenance culture, more than 85 per cent of them are completely bad.

    ” But now, we have seen the return of many of our stadia back to life,” he said.

    The minister said the event was significant because of the drive and the passion behind it, noting that with the commitment of the present administration to sports development, the ministry had turned what used to be a dump site into a Metropolitan Community Sporting Arcade.

    He charged the community leaders to ensure proper management of the stadium by engaging the services of capable facilty managers who would account for its management.

    Earlier, the House of Rep Akeem Adeyemi, representing Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East and West Constituency, thanked the present administration for providing capable leadership through the ministry in making the mini stadium.

    He commended Dare and Buhari’s administration for their commitment to sports development through ensuring timely release of funds for the completion of the project, assuring that it would be immediately handed over to the community for use.

  • High Court stops Sports minister, Pinnick from conducting NFF executive election

    High Court stops Sports minister, Pinnick from conducting NFF executive election

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the the minister, Mr Pinnik or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    “Counsel for the claimants informed the court that the defendants are taking action that will adversely affect the subject matter of this case.

    “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending final order of this court,” he ruled.
    Justice Ekwo then reverted the matter to Oct. 31 for hearing.

    Newsmen reports that, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021, Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, Austin Popo and National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) are 1st to 4th claimants respectively.

    In the application dated and filed on Sept. 2, NFF, Pinnick and the minister are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively.

    In the motion, the claimants’ sought an interim order restraining the defendants, his agent, employees, staff, officials or electoral committee from organising or conducting any election into any executive office of the NFF pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

    In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Fayenengigha Jacob, a lawyer in the chamber of Ukpong, he said the defendants had been served with processes in the case and that NFF and Pinnick had entered appearance in the matter, while the minister, though served with court papers, he had not entered appearance.

    Jacob averred that one of the complaints in the matter was the undemocratic manner in which the NFF was being constituted resulting in depriving the majority of the stakeholders and members of the NFF from having a say or contributing to the development of football in Nigeria.

    According to him, the glory of Nigeria football has nosedived as a result of its undemocratic manner of the leadership of the said body.

    He said the complainants were deliberately excluded from the last congress held in Lagos for no just reason.

    “That the claimant had legitimately call on the leadership of the said body to set machinery in motion to amend the 2010 NFF statute that was manipulated to deprive the majority of the NFF members such as the Professional Football Association, the league, the coaches body and the players from participating in any election let alone of winning same.

    “That the said leadership of the NFF, the 2nd defendant (Pinnick), his agents, privies refused or neglected to allow the due process to take place in amending the said 2010 NFF statute,” he said.

    Jacob said while this matter is still pending in court the defendants are going ahead to announce and purportedly try to organise and conduct an election of the said body in September, 2022.

    He said the defendants had been served with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain them from conducting any election into the executive offices of NFF until after the hearing and determination of the substance matter,

    According to him, while the motion on notice for interlocutory order restraining the defendants from disturbing the res in the matter, the defendants have drawn out a time table and set up an electoral committee to conduct an election to the offices in question on Friday 30th September, 2022 in Benin City Edo State.

    He said the substance of the matter would be defeated should the said election slated for September goes ahead and without hearing of the pending motions and substantive matter.

  • Commonwealth Games: Buhari to host Amusan, Brume, Team Nigeria

    Commonwealth Games: Buhari to host Amusan, Brume, Team Nigeria

    President, Muhammadu Buhari will host Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume to a presidential reception at the Villa following their recent achievements for Nigeria, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare has said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume last month won Nigeria’s two medals at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon: GOLD in the 100m Hurdles, and Silver in the Long Jump.

    At the just concluded 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, both athletes inspired Team Nigeria to amass 35 medals, made up of 12 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.

    The Minister of Youth and Sports assured members of the historic Team Nigeria contingent to the 2022 Commonwealth Games of a presidential reception.

    “I followed every moment of your competition. I was in Birmingham from the beginning till I had to leave for other official engagements. So many Nigerians followed you too. We are all so proud of what you achieved for Nigeria and yourselves.

    “Mr President is also very proud of you and has approved that a presidential reception be held to honour you for the historic feat at Birmingham 2022.

    “We will immediately start to plan for the reception and once we have tightened things up, we will announce the date, invite you over from your different bases and you will have that privilege of meeting Mr President.

    “Nigeria will appreciate you for the great acts of sacrifice, patriotism and determination to excel that you all have demonstrated here, whether you have a medal around your neck or not,” Dare said.

    He commended Team Nigeria for the outstanding performance, describing the outing as the best ever in the history of the competition for Nigeria.

    “The gold medal haul is the highest at a single Commonwealth Games for Team Nigeria, representing its best performance ever,” the Minister said.

    Dare who described this year’s performance as excellent, inspirational, phenomenal, commendable and commanding, noted further that the impressive outing earned Team Nigeria number 7 on the medals table, and also the best-ranked African country in the tournament.

    “This is a performance like no other, many new records were set, old records broken, long standing jinxes of not getting on the podium in some sports were destroyed”, the Minister said.

    While congratulating all the participating athletes, coaches, officials, staff and top management of the Ministry and Nigerians in general for their sacrifice, commitment, confidence and patriotism, he added that this signposts a brighter and better future for the country’s sports development.

    “I am proud of them, Nigeria is proud of them and I believe that the Nigerian spirit that led them to these performances will lead them to the place of excellence,” Dare affirmed.

    Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, has attributed the success recorded by Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham, to God and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration.

    Alhaji Ismaila while congratulating officials, coaches, staff of the Ministry and Nigerians in general for the success recorded at the tournament, applauded the present Administration for its support and avowed commitment to the development of sports in the country.

    According to him, when adequate preparation collide with determination and dedication, the ultimate result is success. He therefore applauded the Team for taking advantage of the opportunities granted to them by the government to ensure more podium appearances for the Nation.

    He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to the full implementation of the policies, programmes and projects of the Federal government, especially as it relates to sports.

    The Permanent Secretary also commended the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Development, Mr Sunday Dare for his doggedness in providing the quality leadership that led to the breaking of records in the contemporary Nigerian sports history.

    Also speaking, Nigeria’s Chef de Mission to Birmingham 2022 and Director, Federations, Elites and Athletes Department (FEAD) of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye stated that discipline, focus and determination set the tone for the Team’s glowing performance at the sporting event.

    He commended the Minister, Mr Sunday Dare and Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar for their exemplary leadership and guidance that made the Birmingham success story, a reality.

    “I strongly believe that success cannot just happen by accident. You have to plan for it. The athletes too were disciplined, focused and very determined to excel; so it was a case of preparation meeting opportunity”, he said.

  • Sports Minister, Dare receives Tobi Amusan in Birmingham

    Sports Minister, Dare receives Tobi Amusan in Birmingham

    Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, on Friday received Oluwatobiloba Amusan for the first time after she brought glory to Nigeria at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, United States of America.

    Amusan won the 100m hurdles in Oregon, becoming the first Nigerian to win gold at the world championships as well as breaking a six-year record following a 12.12s in the semi-finals race.

    In a statement by the minister’s media department, Dare expressed his delight with the achievements of Amusan, reminding her that she has written her name boldly in history.

    “You have made Nigerians happy and the country stands firmly behind you and other athletes too.

    ”Thank you for your brilliant performance and for displaying the Nigerian spirit,” Dare said.

    He urged her alongside other athletes to remain focused on the task at hand in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

    Team Nigeria will begin its journey to triumph in the Track and Field event of the Commonwealth Games from Monday.

  • Sports Minister Sunday Dare hosts victorious Golden Eaglets

    Sports and Youth Development Minister, Honourable Sunday Dare has heaped plaudits on the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for making merit and competence its watchwords in selection of coaches for the age-grade National Teams, as agreed with the Ministry, and which has started to bear fruits with excellent performances at U20 and U17 levels of recent.

     Dare made this pronouncement on Tuesday while hosting players and officials of the U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets to a reception following their victory at the WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana.

     “I want to give credit to the NFF for implementing the cardinal principles that we agreed at meetings on youth football development. Now, we can see that the emphasis on merit and competence has started to bear fruits. The U17 and U20 girls have qualified for their FIFA World Cup competitions with aplomb and the U17 and U20 boys have won regional tournaments in emphatic manner, with promises of what we can look forward to at their African championships next year.

     “Our hard focus on grassroots development in all sports will continue. I congratulate the players and their coaches of the Golden Eaglets for winning so convincingly in Ghana and I want to charge you to remain focused for the continental championship in order to get the ticket to the World Cup. For you players, you must stay humble, hardworking and obedient to your coaches.”

     On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar warned the players against allowing distractions from all manner of agents and player-managers, and rather be dedicated to impr oving their craft with temperance, endurance and a level head.

     NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi introduced each player and team official for special handshake with the Honourable Minister, stating that Head Coach Nduka Ugbade was the captain of the first Nigeria team to win the FIFA Cadet World Cup, and was also assistant coach to Manu Garba when Nigeria triumphed in the United Arab Emirates in 2013. “He is also a global consultant on football science.”

     Ugbade hailed the event as “a special occasion” and said the team is encouraged to do its utmost to continue to bring honour to the nation, first by putting up a stellar outing at the U20 AFCON in Algeria and then going on to hold its own at the FIFA World Cup finals in Peru.

     Also at the occasion were President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel; Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye; NFF’s Director of Communications, Mr Ademola Olajire; Director of Facilities in the Ministry, Mr Olatunji Okedairo and; special assistants to the Honourable Minister, Ms Mary Onyali and Messrs Toyin Ibitoye and Kola Adeyanju.

  • NYSC is here to stay – FG tells critics

    NYSC is here to stay – FG tells critics

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, says the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is here to stay as its contributions to national development are indisputable.

    Dare spoke in Abuja on Saturday night at the premiere of an advocacy movie produced by the NYSC entitled “A Call to Service”.

    The movie was produced to increase appreciation for the scheme’s relevance in promoting patriotism, national unity, peace and cohesion.

    Some of the movie cast included Nollywood actors such as Pete Edochie, Toyin Abraham, Ali Nuhu, Belinda Effah, Imeh Bishop also known as “Okon Lagos”, and comedian Anita Asuoha also referred to as “Real Warripikin”.

    The minister applauded the timely release of the movie as the relevance of the scheme has been under public scrutiny and debate in recent time.

    “The timing of this movie could not have been better after weeks and months of debates about whether the NYSC is relevant or not and whether the scheme should be scrapped or should continue.

    “The answer to the critics, to the anti-NYSC is in the premiere of this movie. This movie needs to travel and hit every viewing platform across this country and in the diaspora; it must go viral.

    “The message must go out strong and clear, that the NYSC has come to stay. The scheme is more relevant now than it has ever been before,” the minister said.

    Dare said that the release of the movie would assist the ministry with its plans in ensuring that the NYSC Trust Fund is created.

    According to him, I believe that before the end of the first quarter of next year when we have done all that is necessary, I will be able to present a memo to the (Federal Executive) Council for the establishment of an NYSC Trust Fund.

    Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and initiator of the NYSC, urged the legislative and executive arms of the Federal Government to take the necessary steps towards establishing the NYSC Trust Fund.

    Gowon, who was represented by Mr Yusuf Nalado, Member, NYSC Governing Board, said that the gesture would ensure the sustenance of the scheme and the future of the Nigerian youth.

    Gowon called on Nigerians to continue to support the scheme to sustain the achievements of its mandate.

    Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the NYSC Director-General, said that the scheme produced the movie to drive the relevance of the scheme and also to provide a platform for corps members to develop their potential.

    Ibrahim said that the movie also aimed to educate local and foreign-trained graduates that national service is mandatory and failure to comply will attract legal consequences.

    “You are all aware that NYSC has for long become a household name in Nigeria owing to its invaluable contributions to national unity and development.

    “In particular, its role in the training and mentoring of the youth in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities have been appreciated by all and sundry.

    “The movie we are unveiling today is part of the innovative approaches of the present management to engendering a greater appreciation of the relevance of the scheme.

    “It is an advocacy and sensitisation tool that is also expected to influence a greater commitment of stakeholders to their roles and responsibilities as spelt out in the NYSC Act Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the NYSC Bye-Laws.

    According to Ibrahim, the movie is also produced to encourage local and foreign-trained Nigerian graduates that are eligible for national service to make themselves available upon graduation.

    He said that this would prevent the graduates from being found guilty of absenteeism, absconding, or certificate forgery.

    The director-general said that the movie was produced under the schemes movie production platform “NYSCwood” which was established to sensitise the public on relevant issues.

    “Some of the actors in the movie were serving corps members at the time of its production. Indeed, the film was produced by a corps member, JairusPaul Osazuwa.

    “This is in line with our policy of providing opportunities for corps members to develop their potential. It is in this regard that we established the NYSC movie production platform, which we christened NYSCwood.

    “Already, we have produced several short films aimed at sensitising the public on issues such as elections, safe blood donation, and campaign against open defecation.

    “Apart from deploying our movies as instruments of entertainment and education, the NYSCwood will serve as a training platform for corps members who will be interested in pursuing a career as professional movie actors while also generating revenue for the scheme,” Ibrahim said.

    He said that the scheme had also signed a partnership agreement with the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to further provide a platform for corps members to develop and expand their creativity.

  • Defamatory allegation: Sports minister drags Bash ali to court, demands N5bn damages

    Defamatory allegation: Sports minister drags Bash ali to court, demands N5bn damages

    Nigeria’s sports minister, Sunday Dare has sued Bashiru Ali popularly known as Bash Ali for defamation.

    According to a press release from the offices of the minister and signed by Toyin Ibitoye the Special Assistant on multimedia, Sunday Dare’s attention was drawn to “a video circulating online in which controversial boxer, Bash Ali made defamatory, false and unsubstantiated allegations against his person.”

    Continuing, the statement reads: “This recent video is irrespective and in disregard of a pending libel suit initiated by the Minister claiming damages to the sum of 5billion Naira against Bash Ali for defamatory allegations made in the past.

    “Apart from aggravating the previous defamatory acts, in the present video, Bash Ali has threatened violence and disruptive acts against a functional unit of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “As a responsible public office holder, the Honourable Minister will not sit back and allow the threats materialize.

    ” If Bash Ali could have the effrontery to make and publicize a video where he not only made allegations against the person of the Hon. Minister, but also threatened to halt the operations of the Ministry of Youth and Sports development, then, it is compelling that the security agencies are put on alert so as to avoid a future situation of regret where things are taken for granted.

    “On a personal note, the Hon. Minister will continue to diligently press his libel claims against Bash Ali and will also seek further remedies that the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria avail him, he noted inter alia.