… Inaugurates board of AFN
By Hillary Asemota
The Federal Government on Tuesday reaffirmed its full commitment to the success of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare disclosed this today in his office in Abuja, during the inauguration of the National Governing Board of the Scheme.
He said there is no gainsaying the fact that the Scheme has made enormous contributions to the promotion of national unity and integration as well as the acceleration of development in various spheres, including education, health, infrastructural development, sports and social services, amongst others.
He explained that NYSC, remains a great source of pride to the government and the entire people of our dear country.
“Without doubt, all well-meaning Nigerians strongly recognize the continued relevance of the Scheme, especially at this critical period of our national life.” Dare said.
The Minister called on the 10 member newly inaugurated Board to continue to get acquainted with the provisions of the NYSC Act, particularly as they relate to the roles and responsibilities of major stakeholders, including the Board.
While acknowledging the daunting task before the Board, he expressed optimism that with the retention of the Chairman and some members of the immediate past Board who are versatile with the objectives, programmes as well as challenges of the NYSC, there is hope for a more robust administration to ensure more deliverables are provided for the Corp members.
Mr. Dare who further urged the new Board to work collectively to build on the successes of the former board, affirmed the satisfaction of the Federal Government with the achievements of the present Management of the NYSC which he said, has enhanced visibility of the Scheme.
“I commend the excellent synergy between the immediate past Board and the Management, which contributed to the remarkable achievements recently made by the Scheme”, he said.
He called on the Board members to come up with initiatives that will make the Scheme even more impactful and increasingly endearing to all Nigerians while also charging them to sustain the harmonious working relationship in line with the expectation of the present Administration.
Mr. Dare who also endorsed the proposal being made by stakeholders for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund, called on all stakeholders to support its actualization as the initiative will not only strengthen the Scheme but also serve as a sustaining source of providing start-up capital for the trained Corps members to actualize their business plans and in turn, employ more Nigerians.
He added, that “as a sign of the Federal Government’s unflinching commitment to the NYSC, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the automatic employment of 10 direct siblings of the deceased NYSC members, who lost their lives during the 2011 post-election violence in Bauchi State and also approved appropriate scholarships to the four children of Mr. Adowei Elliot”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Nebeolisa Anako, called on the newly inaugurated Board to merge their wealth of experience with the achievements of the former Board and also introduce innovative ideas with a view to taking the Scheme to higher levels.
He assured the board that the ministry will continue to support every bold step taken by the Board and Management of the Scheme in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration.
The Chairman of the newly inaugurated NYSC National Governing Board, Amb. Fatima Abubabar thanked the Muhammudu Buhari-led Administration for its unflinching support to the Scheme
She assured that the Board will not fail on its mandate but will do its best to meet up with the confidence reposed on it.
Meanwhile, the federal government has inaugurated the Board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) after the successful conduct of the elections to fill in the new face of track and field in Nigeria.
The Minister who inaugurated the newly elected Board members at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, called on them to avoid the pitfall of the past, by following the Constitution and ensuring that stakeholders are carried along in order to ensure the federation records more podium appearances in sporting activities.
Dare who stated that the election was a new dawn for Track and Field in Nigeria as exemplified by the way the election was conducted, strictly in accordance with the 2017 Constitution of the Federation as recommended by both World Athletics and Confederation of African Athletics, shows that a new seed of hope has evolved for the good of sports development in the country.
He stated further that, the AFN Board is the legitimately constituted and recognized body duly elected by the Congress of the AFN and recognized by the Federal Government of Nigeria and by extension the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. He therefore urged the Board to operate within the tenets of their Constitution as recognized by Government under which sports is been governed. Stressing that, no Federation is autonomous, as all the 38 Federations operate under the guidelines of Government.
The Minister who assured that Government would continue to partner with both continental and intercontinental bodies, charged with the development of athletics in other to encourage and improve the young and talented youths of the country, called on the Board not to compromise the welfare of athletes.
He expressed delight that under his watch as Minister of Youth and Sports Development, “the Sports Federation have been fulfilling our expectations of them and the AFN in the last 18 months has risen up to the challenges occasioned by the crisis that engulfed it since September 2017”.
He explained that, government recognizes the place of their Constitutions and their operationalization which must respect the laws of Nigeria.
“Our laws are clear and it is upon the laws of Nigeria that the Ministry governs the Sports Sector. Like I said earlier, this is a new dawn for athletics and we shall duly inform your parent body, World Athletics pursuant to articles 7.5 and 9.1. (e) of 2019 World Athletics Constitution that Chief Tonobok Okowa has been elected by the AFN Congress to lead as President is the recognized governing body for the Sport in Nigeria by the Nigerian Government.”
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Nebolisa Anako assured the Board of the Ministry’s support to ensure the full development of sporting activities and youth empowerment in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.
He enjoined the AFN Board members to roll up their sleeves and put the country on the path of success.
The newly elected AFN President, Chief Tonobok Ojuru Okowa, assured that the AFN Board will hit the ground running to ensure effective performance of Nigerian athletes, not just at the Olympic but also to make Nigeria take its rightful place in Africa and the world at large.
‘’We will achieve this by putting in place a good welfare package for the athletes that will enhance their performance and ensure Nigerian athletes come back with medals at Tokyo to do the nation proud’’, he said.
The newly inaugurated 12-board members of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria are expected to serve for the period of four years, effective from the day of inauguration. They include: Chief Tonobok Ojuru Okowa President, Gadzama Tafida Wadzani 1st Vice President, Mrs Rosa Collins Okah 2nd Vice President, Amb. Manta Haruna Mohammed as member, Hon.Yusuf Liman Dahiru as member and Mr. Victor Okorie Member.
The others include, Mr. Solomon Alao also as membe, SC Onikeku Samuel, member, Technical/Coaches rep Member, Prof. Emmanuel Ojeme, member, Mrs. Maria Wophil, Membe and Mr. Henry Okorie
