Chairman of the
National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko on Tuesday received in his
office, officials of the National Association of Physical, Health Education,
Research, Sports and Dance (NAPHER.SD),
and promised to work with the body to fill gaps in competency and professional
areas in the nation’s sports sector.
“NAPHER.SD occupies an
important and strategic position in the country’s sports. We cannot thank you
enough for your contribution to the drafting of the NSC Bill and we have also
received your fresh recommendations to the Bill. The truth is that we must be
intentional about bringing real professionals to man several departments in the
Commission and we will work with you as strategic partners.
“The value chain
around sports is huge, with the diverse industries that can be created around
sports and across territories. Sports also come to the fore when we discuss
social cohesion, security and human development. What sport is able to
contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product will be a measure of our
success going forward. In the next two years, we foresee a situation in which
sports will be one of the fundamental industries of the Nigeria economy.”
Earlier, NAPHER.SD President,
Professor Florence Adeyanju had tabled the areas in which the body can be of
assistance to the NSC, including but not limited to organization of sports
outreach programs and competitions at the grassroots, talent identification,
development and promotion, policy development and reviews, advisory role in
conflict resolution, research, measurement and evaluation, women sports
empowerment and gender equity initiatives, and manning sports organizations,
departments and units.
“We urge you to
ensure that professionals are appointed to various departments,
professionally-trained personnel are posted to sports federations, intensify
training and re-training of sports officers and technical staff, pay attention
to grassroots sports development, facilitate synergy between NSC and the
Ministry of Education, utilize research experts to undertake establishment of
skill and fitness norms for Nigeria, pay adequate attention to athletes
motivation and welfare, and get involved in active marketing and sponsorship
drives from corporate organizations.”
Present at the
also were Dr Mohammed Sanusi (NAPHER.SD Vice
President); Prof. Franz Atare (Secretary General); Dr Paul Onyeudo (NSC); Dr
Joy Madaki (NAPHER.SD Treasurer),
Mallam Salihu Abubakar, Barr. Musa Amadu, Hon. Farouk Yarma, Mr. Clement
Nwankpa and Mr. Jude Anyadufu, and other NAPHER.SD chieftains Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman, Dr Robinson
Okosun, Dr Sylvester Ikuejamoye, Dr Oluwasogo Ogunleye, Mr. Bola Orodele, Mrs
Sheba Jefferson and Mrs Hulda Nkwocha.
PHOTO: Dikko (middle) at the meeting with the NAPHER.SD chieftains on Tuesday.
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