The Milestones of A Sports Minister

 2021 PUBLICATION HON. CHIEF SUNDAY AKIN DARE: THE MILESTONES OF A SPORTS MINISTER BY PROF EMMANUEL OJEME

Hon Chief Sunday Dare, the Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland is an indigene of Oyo State and the Minster of Youth and Sports in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Second term cabinet. Since he became Minister of Youth and Sports, the 55year old energetic and vibrant officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recorded good deeds worth talking about, as the giant strides in his ministerial portfolio. The purpose of this brief article is to undertake a profiling of some of the Minister’s achievements in the landscape of sports in Nigeria particularly as the administration he serves is half-way in its tenure. It is pertinent also, on behalf of this writer and followership, however, to wish the Hon. Minster of Youth and Sports who turned 55 years on May 29th 2021, a happy birthday celebrations and many more years of fruitful services and celebrations.

Chief Sunday Dare has verve and eloquence and also he is one of the most energetic and enthusiastic Sports Ministers Nigeria has had. He is a hands on Sports Officer. Since he took on the responsibility of leadership as Sports

Minster, he has been known to do some commendable things. The following are note worthy.

 (1) Adopt an Athlete Initiative

This strategy of sports development which is athlete-centered is aimed at bringing men and women of means to assist the athletes to actualize their goals in terms of education, scholarship, athletic training and competitions.

It is on record that many Nigerians of means are already giving a helping hand to the athletes. The significance of this complimentary athlete development strategy can be very far reaching. He has also declared to adopt some gymnasts who will be representing Nigeria in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Just as the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has also adopted seven athletes for sponsorship to the Tokyo Olympic Games, as well.

It should be pointed out also that this policy has extended to private sector adoption of Sports facilities for renovation.

2. Initiation of a New Sports Development Policy.

This Sports Minster has championed the fashioning of a new Sports Industry Policy. Although the Policy received very turbulent reactions because of it’s over arching orientation of Sports as an enterprise, It certainly will bring about a new era of Sports development in Nigeria given the wide-ranging stakeholders participation in the making of the policy and so long as the policy will be effectively implemented, it is bound to make impact in the development of Sports in Nigeria.

 3. A Surge in the Visibility of Nigerian Athletes in Competitions:

The Sports Minster has re-energized the involvement of Nigerian athletes in competitions at all levels. The Minister has revived the old Principals Cup and national School Sports Competitions. These are commendable and with expected needed reforms in the organization and management of the Games, the future remains very bright.

4. Providing Succour to Retired Athletes and Families.

The Hon. Minster does not only motivate performing athletes to excel, he also provides succour for retired athletes and families. Notable are (1) the intervention in the case of Khadiri Ikhana with respect to payment of hospital bills (2) succour to the family of Late Super Eagles Player, Mr. Samuel Okwaraji by donating cash and foodstuffs to the aged parents.

These and many more unreported philanthropic gestures of the Hon.Minister are commendable.

 5. Successful Hosting of Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF).

The much troubled Edo 2020 NSF was successfully staged and it is a credit to his Ministry and leadership as well as the Edo State government. The actualization of Edo 2020 NSF has provided great impetus to Nigeria’s overall.

Sports development strategic plan and participation in Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It has also triggered the need for urgent reforms to improve its fortunes.

There is no doubt that Hon. Chief Akin Sunday Dare, an acknowledged and accomplished professional journalist, who would have also octanely excelled as a Minister of Information, an area where he has deep knowledge and training, has done very well in his portfolio as Sports Minister.

What else can the Hon. Minster do to further entrench his name in the golden books of Nigeria’s Sports history?

I wish to plead with the Minster to endeavour to vigorously pursue the reinstatement of the National Sports Commission as the Central agency of Government in Sports Services delivery.

This organizational agency will transform Nigerian Sports by institutionalization of professionalism in Nigerian Sports development. If you add this agency to the approval and adoption of a National Sports Development Policy, your name and Ministerial role will be ever shining in Nigeria’s Sports history literature long after you have left office. The Hon. Minister of Youths and Sports has achieved other milestones in Youth and Sports development not covered by this narration. This presentation serves as a bird’s eye view of his highlights.

Considering the fact that much of his tenure in the last two years has been hit hard by the global Covid-19 pandemic, there is no doubt that this Minister is living up to expectations in his works. Hoping that as he marches to the last half of this administration, much more milestones would be recorded in his report card.

Location: Nigeria

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