Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Tag: Sunday Dare

  • Oyo bids to host National Sports Festival

    Oyo bids to host National Sports Festival

    Oyo State may be the next host of the National Sports Commission, the State Sports Council has disclosed.

    The Council said it has signified its intention to host the next edition of the prestigious sporting event.

    Addressing leaders of the Oyo state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria at his office, Chairman of the state sports council, Gbenga Adewusi, disclosed this on Friday.

    Mr Adewusi said the political leaders and sports administrators in the Pacesetter State have communicated their desire to the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, who is an indigene of the state.

    The last time Oyo State hosted the National Sports Festival was in 1976.

    His words: “The sports-loving Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, is interested in hosting the next edition of the National Sports Festival. And we have told the Minister for Sports that we want to host the next edition after the one in Edo State. We have begun preparations for this, with the ongoing upgrade of the Lekan Salami Stadium. In addition, we are also upgrading some mini stadia in six geo-political zones as well as sports arenas in the state capital.”

  • Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare denies asking for N81m to cut grass in Abuja stadium

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare denies asking for N81m to cut grass in Abuja stadium

    Sunday Dare, Nigeria’s Minister of Youths and Sports, has denied reports he asked for N81 million to be used to cut grass and weed in Abuja stadium.

    Reports were rife online on Sunday November 29, that while speaking during the one-day seminar organized by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) FCT chapter, Sunday Dare disclosed that the ministry under his supervision, approached the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for assessment of the stadium, which was built in 2003 with N53 billion on a 29 hectares (72 acres) of land.

    “We approached AEPB to come see what can be done to clear the grass and weed in the stadium and they told us it will cost us N81m. If we tell Nigerians we used N81m which is not even available, there will be an outcry. The funds are not really there for us and that is why we are partnering with private investors to bring back the key components of our infrastructures,” he was quoted as saying

    Some media houses interpreted it as him saying the Ministry needed N81 million to cut the grass and weed in the stadium.

    Reacting via his Twitter handle, The Minister wrote

    ”Spot the difference. This story is out of context. Misleading. A misrepresentation.The Ministry was given a bill. The Ministry did not accept. It will be detrimental to spend such an amount. And it can be better invested. That is what I said. This is not what they have reported.”

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare denies asking for N81m to cut grass in Abuja stadium

  • National sports festival may still hold this year, says Sports Minister

    National sports festival may still hold this year, says Sports Minister

    By Mike Oboh

    This year’s national sports festival billed for Edo state has not been postponed indefinitely as the sports minister is optimistic that the event will still hold.

    The minister. Sunday Dare said on Thursday at the opening of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria , FCT chapter organized week, that he was still in consultation with the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 to clear the air on the possibility of hosting the games by Edo state.

    Dare said though the stakeholders had agreed to hold the festival from December 3 -18 but prevailing circumstances in the country may have necessitated the position held by the PTF.

    He said he was optimistic that the games will still hold as he was ready to engage the PTF in a new dialogue which will facilitate the competition hold in not too distant time.
    Dare said following the #EndSARS crisis and some prevailing circumstances, the PTF may have had a different option from the ministry and other stakeholders position.
    He said though the PTF was properly briefed it will be better all loopholes noticed by them at accommodated in taken the decision for a successful hosting by Edo State.

  • The protest of our youth shall not be in vain, Your time has come – FG assures youth

    The protest of our youth shall not be in vain, Your time has come – FG assures youth

    The Federal Government has assured Nigerian youths that the End SARS protests will not be in vain.

    Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said this on Sunday via his Twitter page in celebration of Maiden National Youth Day.

    According to him, the time had come for Nigerian youths to sit with the government and deepen their initiatives to effect a change.

    Read Also: Parents should instill family values in their children to save Nigeria – Zainab Ahmed

    His tweet read: “Nov 1- Today, Nigeria celebrates its Maiden National Youth Day. We focus on issues that concern our youth.

    “With the protests that have occurred across the country, Nigeria stands at the cusp of change in youth development. Already, that change has begun. What is needed is to deepen the youth initiatives and accelerate the onboarding of beneficiaries in a transparent and effectual manner.”

    The minister noted that Nigeria youths could be the country’s greatest resource if the right investments are made.

    “As a country, we are blessed with a bulging youth population that can turn out to be the country’s greatest resource if we make the right investments and in a timely manner.

    “The protest of our youth shall not be in vain. It is time to engage government constructively. Come to the table. I say to the youth -Your time has come,” Dare added.

  • Minister, FIFA agree on youth football development

    Minister, FIFA agree on youth football development

    By Mike Oboh

    Minister of Youth and Sports Development  Mr. Sunday Dare  alongside Ministers from  selected countries  on Friday had an on line meeting  with  the top brass of the world Football  Governing body, Fifa  where it was agreed that a new course  must be taken  to ensure youth football development. 
    Speaking during  the third edition of the Town Hall  with Nigerian  Youths, Mr. Dare said ” The Ministry  of Youth and Sports Development is working with  the Nigerian  Football  Federation in collaboration  with the La Liga to organise  training  for coaches. We have asked the NFF to expand this programme to ensure that  young coaches get proper training. I would take the message  of Youth  coaches training  back to the NFF so that this can be expanded. 
    “The National Institute for Sports  also trains quality  coaches. We encourage  youths to attend regular trainings.”
    Mr. Dare disclosed  that” I had a meeting with  Fifa  which wants to deepen youth involvement in  football,  coaches, referees, grassroots  and secondary schools. They also  need  to deepen  information network. I want to see more youths in the  coaching  crew of the Super Eagles, Flying Eagles and other junior teams. 
    “We would continue to create opportunities  for our youths “

  • Sports Minister Hosts Youths as they Discuss ‘My Nigerian Dream’ in Abuja

    Sports Minister Sunday Dare on Friday played host to an event in Abuja with a group of young Nigerians and discussed ‘My Nigerian Dream’.

    The panelists include popular musician Waje; 15-year-old Samira Bello; Valerie Enekwe; Joel Ogunsola; among others.

    The event is organised by the Ministry of Youths and Sports in partnership with ‘I Choose Life Foundation’ with the aim of celebrating the Spirit of Young Nigerians.

    A comic book series titled, ‘Mum I Can Fly’ will also be launched by the Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in honour of Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot who died in Kaduna on July 14, 2020.

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, and the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed are also in attendance.

    The event also has virtual participants from Kano and Port-Harcourt.

  • Youth Groups Call for Sack of Youth Minister Over Poor Handling of NYCN

    Youth Groups Call for Sack of Youth Minister Over Poor Handling of NYCN

    A Coalition of Youth Organisations, has urged the Federal Government to immediately sack the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare over what it described as attempt to polarise the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

    The group in a statement signed by its convener, Comr. Adakole Ochai, and made available to journalists accused the Minister of hobnobbing with one Sukubo Sara-Igbe as President of NYCN despite a court ruling restraining him from parading himself in such capacity.

    The group also urged the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II not to allow the Minister soil his reputation by involving himself with illegality vowing to resist any attempt by the minister, monarch or whosoever to arm-twist the hands of the law and youth movement in Nigeria.

    “Recall that there is a pending litigation in the case of Incorporated Trustee of The National Youth Council of Nigeria VS Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo and the Minister for Youths and Sports Development.

    “In the above mentioned suit, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of Federal High Court 9 granted an injunction restraining the said Comr. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo from parading himself as the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria pending the determination of the motion on notice”

    The group explained that the Order of the Court has not been vacated nor has it been appealed against therefore is still valid and subsisting stressing that it was appalled that the Minister would embark of such illegality to tarnish the image of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

    .
    “We have it on good authority that the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare has received gratification from some disgruntled elements who want to hijack the NYCN to use as a tool for their selfish goals. We are equally irritated that the minister is trying to foist illegality on one of the most revered monarchs in the world, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II by organising an event in collaboration with the impostor, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, who is parading himself as NYCN President.

    “Let it be known that Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo has never been elected by any congress of the NYCN. Though riding on the back of some disgruntled elements in the country seeking relevant, he made himself President but was stopped by the law court”, the statement averred.

    The group urged the minister to with immediate effect refrain from going on with the kangaroo event he is planning with the those parading as executives of the NYCN to save his name and the integrity of the Buhari administration adding that failure to do so will lead to occupation of the ministry and demand for his sack.

    “We have watched the minister’s body language for some time and have come to conclusion that he has been compromised. It is either he is receiving all manners of phony youth organisations in his office and assuring them of his cooperation or hobnobbing with the impostor Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as NYCN President”, the statement added.

  • Youth Groups Call for Sack of Youth Minister Over Poor Handling of NYCN

    Youth Groups Call for Sack of Youth Minister Over Poor Handling of NYCN

    A Coalition of Youth Organisations, has urged the Federal Government to immediately sack the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare over what it described as attempt to polarise the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

    The group in a statement signed by its convener, Comr. Adakole Ochai, and made available to journalists accused the Minister of hobnobbing with one Sukubo Sara-Igbe as President of NYCN despite a court ruling restraining him from parading himself in such capacity.

    The group also urged the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II not to allow the Minister soil his reputation by involving himself with illegality vowing to resist any attempt by the minister, monarch or whosoever to arm-twist the hands of the law and youth movement in Nigeria.

    “Recall that there is a pending litigation in the case of Incorporated Trustee of The National Youth Council of Nigeria VS Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo and the Minister for Youths and Sports Development.

    “In the above mentioned suit, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of Federal High Court 9 granted an injunction restraining the said Comr. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo from parading himself as the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria pending the determination of the motion on notice”

    The group explained that the Order of the Court has not been vacated nor has it been appealed against therefore is still valid and subsisting stressing that it was appalled that the Minister would embark of such illegality to tarnish the image of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

    .
    “We have it on good authority that the Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare has received gratification from some disgruntled elements who want to hijack the NYCN to use as a tool for their selfish goals. We are equally irritated that the minister is trying to foist illegality on one of the most revered monarchs in the world, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II by organising an event in collaboration with the impostor, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, who is parading himself as NYCN President.

    “Let it be known that Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo has never been elected by any congress of the NYCN. Though riding on the back of some disgruntled elements in the country seeking relevant, he made himself President but was stopped by the law court”, the statement averred.

    The group urged the minister to with immediate effect refrain from going on with the kangaroo event he is planning with the those parading as executives of the NYCN to save his name and the integrity of the Buhari administration adding that failure to do so will lead to occupation of the ministry and demand for his sack.

    “We have watched the minister’s body language for some time and have come to conclusion that he has been compromised. It is either he is receiving all manners of phony youth organisations in his office and assuring them of his cooperation or hobnobbing with the impostor Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo as NYCN President”, the statement added.

  • Sports industry policy will make sports big business in Nigeria—Minister

    Sports industry policy will make sports big business in Nigeria—Minister

    Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has assured that the new draft Sports Industry Policy will transform sports into a big business in the country, when operational.

    The minister said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the virtual presentation of the Draft 2020 National Sports Industry Policy.

    The 172 page document was put together by members of the steering committee of the Sports Industry Working Group (SIWG), the policy validation committee and the National sport industry policy drafting committee.

    Dare said the event was a milestone , with the capacity to change the face of running sports business in Nigeria.

    “This policy no doubt is a new dawn that will drive the process of moving sports away from being recreational to business,” he said.

    He said a new sports policy had become inevitable due to the need to update the obsolete 2009 policy and attain international best practice.

    “The draft National Sports Industry Policy is a review of the 2009 edition, which is principally intended to update the norms and values in the sports industry in achieving the mandate, vision and mission of the Federal Ministry of Youth and sports Development in line with international best practices.

    ​”It is important to note that this reviewed National Sports Industry Policy will proffer solutions to four issues of: Infrastructure, Investment, Incentives and policy, that
    will take sports to the next level,” he said.

    The minister commended the Permanent Secretary, Mr Gabriel Aduda, Mr Ufot Udeme the co-chairman and other members of the committee for their valuable contributions towards the draft policy.

    He said the document will soon be presented to the public for feedbacks, then submitted to the Attorney-General of Federation to finalise the legal components.

    He expressed optimism that the document will be presented to the Federal Executive Council by September or October for approval. (NAN)

  • Sports Minister urges Nigerian athletes to keep hope alive in spite of coronavirus

    Sports Minister urges Nigerian athletes to keep hope alive in spite of coronavirus

    The Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Monday in Abuja urged Nigerian athletes to keep hope alive in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The minister, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, John Joshua-Akanji, made the call on the occasion of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace.

    READ ALSO: SON warns Nigerians against fairly used, stuff-in tyres

    “On this historic day of the celebration of the United Nations International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, which is celebrated soberly due to the COVID-19 scourge, I urge all our sports men and women to remain steadfast, strong and to keep hope alive.

    “As athletes, you remain the beacon of hope to unite Nigerians to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Sports for Development and Peace,” Dare was quoted as saying.

    He urged athletes to use sports to foster peace and unity in the country.

    “You must use sports to foster peace, unity and lend support to those that are down. As sports men and women, you have an obligation to take up the symbolic role of lifting the spirit of our fellow country men and women.

    “In spite of the experience the world is going through, we must not allow our spirit of unity, love, care for each other to wane.

    “In our little corners, let us celebrate by getting active through exercises in our homes, a walk in the park and encouraging each other to stay safe,” the minister said.

    He went on to describe sports as a unifying factor that must be leveraged upon by all and sundry.

    “Sports remains the most powerful tool that unites the world during peace and war, and this experience will only strengthen our resolve to win always.

    “Sports fosters peace and unity, it breaks all human barriers and promotes healthy living. As we seek to overcome this pandemic, let us encourage those that have caught the virus to be strong and resolute. Together we shall overcome.

    “I encourage every Nigerian not to allow their spirit to be dampened, but use the occasion of the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace to spread the message of peace through sports,” Dare added.

    The United Nations had on Aug. 23 proclaimed April 6 of every year as the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace.

    This was in commemoration of the opening date of the modern Olympics which started in Athens in 1896.

    This year is being celebrated without the usual fanfare due to the COVID-19 scourge.

    The UN has urged everyone to mark the occasion with increased awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to stay safe.