In a groundbreaking effort to reposition sports as a
cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy and culture, the Director General, National
Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has embarked on an aggressive campaign
to market Sports as a National Asset.
His ambition in
Sports development inspired the bold steps that align with President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s (PBAT) agenda of elevating Nigeria’s sports development to enviable
heights. The DG during a breakfast meeting with Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei,
Chairman, Davnotch Nigeria Limited, a lover of sports and a leading advocate of
sports development in Nigeria, at his Abuja residence, sought Ochei’s
unflinching support for President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s sports
development enshrined in the Renewed Hope agenda.
Rt. Hon. Ochei, renowned for his outstanding
investments and support for professional and grassroots sports, not only
accepted an invitation to serve as a Patron of the Paralympics Committee
of Nigeria, but equally pledged to expand his investments in
Nigeria’s Sports sector following the consultative visit of the DG.
Reflecting on the significance of Olopade’s
appointment as NSC DG, Ochei remarked; “President Tinubu’s decision to entrust
Sports administration to seasoned professionals led by my brother and friend,
Bukola Olopade, signals a transformative era and I thank Mr. President for
shopping for highly experienced professionals to address the developmental
needs of our nation and to close existing gaps”.
” I consider your appointment as a renewed opportunity
for Sports – loving individuals and corporations to collaborate in building a
thriving economy from sports, particularly through championing initiatives that
promote grassroots competition in track events, gymnastics, ball games and
aquatic sports.”
It is worthy of note that over the past 15 years, Rt.
Hon. Victor Ochei’s contributions to Sports development in Nigeria have been
monumental, blazing trail in standards for private sector involvement as a
driving force behind the remarkable growth of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria.
He has provided an all inclusive platform for athletes
with disabilities to thrive, showcasing the transformative power of Sports in
promoting disability rights.
Through his companies, Ochei has consistently funded
the Tennis Federation, ensuring the sport’s sustained growth in Nigeria aimed
at enhancing its international competitiveness.
His evident grassroots sports development footprints
bear a testament of an ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art stadium in
Delta State to nurture young talents in sports and foster all inclusive
community sports engagement, involving people with physical challenges.
Ochei’s efforts underscore the critical role of
corporate partnerships in advancing sustainable sports development goals to
upscale Nigeria’s ranking on the global stage.
During the meeting, Rt. Hon. Ochei pledged to broaden
his investment scopes, particularly in underfunded sports like tennis, cricket,
and paralympics. He emphasized that with the trust placed in Olopade’s
professional leadership, Nigerian sports development is poised for global
competitiveness with prospects of rapid economic transformation.
Rt. Hon. Ochei also committed to rallying support from
individuals and corporations to provide a common platform that creates
opportunities for young athletes to thrive, foster a culture of excellence in
local and international sports and overhaul the country’s underdeveloped sports
infrastructure.
DG Olopade, inspired by this engagement, highlighted
the strategic importance of collaboration with figures like Rt. Hon. Ochei.
“This meeting has reinforced my belief in our collective vision to create a
viable economy around sports and to collaborate in President Bola Tinubu’s
mission to rebuild Nigeria’s sports.
” Ochei my brother, your extraordinary contributions
over the years qualify you as a worthy candidate for a National Award. Your
contributions in nation building, particularly the sports sector embody the
spirit of sportsmanship and progress that we need to propel Nigeria onto the
global stage,” Olopade stated.
The meeting marks the beginning of a robust
partnership aimed at leveraging sports, not only as a tool for national
competitiveness, but also as a driver of economic growth and sustainability of
our culture.
The meeting ended with Rt. Hon. Ochei assuring the DG
that he will sustain the tempo and drive of the NSC’s vision in line with
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
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