By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Sports Development, Mr. John Enoh, has described sports development as catalyst to national unity and socio-economic growth.
The two virtues according to him, have fitted well into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu Administration.
The Minister made this disclosure while delivering his keynote address at the 1st National Council of sports meeting holding in Enugu, on Wednesday with the theme: “Sports for Unity and Socio-Economic Growth.”
The Minister acknowledged that sports play a profound role in shaping our national identity, fostering social cohesion and transcends cultural, religious and regional divides under the banner of shared passion and national pride with unique power to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds.
He said: “We gather not only as representatives of the sporting community but as catalysts for positive change and development in our nation to deliberate on the future of sports in Nigeria.
“We recognize the profound role that sports play in shaping our national identity and fostering social cohesion while uniting us under the banner of shared passion and national pride.
“It has the unique power to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, promoting understanding and solidarity among our people.”
The Director, Press and PR department of the Ministry, Kehinde Ajayi, quoted the Minister as disclosing that the Ministry has embarked on reforms that would reposition Nigerian sports globally and return us to our erstwhile greatness.
“We have embarked on reforms that would reposition Nigerian Sports globally and return us to our erstwhile greatness and also give our sportsmen and women that single thing they have sought over the years- that Nigeria loves and cares for them as much as the love and care for Nigeria.” He said.
The Minister noted that in line with the ministry’s commitment to harness the potential of sports for National Development, key priorities has been developed as follow: Unity through Sports, Community Engagement and Grassroots Development, Infrastructure and Facilities, Socio-Economic impact, Youth Empowerment and Development, Inclusivity and Accessibility, International Partnerships, and Private Public Partnership (PPP).
Enoh, however, observed that the major challenge of sports in Nigeria is not only about funding but poor planning, lack of unity with various players within the sporting ecosystem and added that the best outcome possible from the council meeting would be to achieve a resolve to work together and support each other to actualize the desired vision, goals, and objectives for Nigeria sports.
“Every time I ask what the major problem of sports in Nigeria is, the answer l get 99% of the time is- funding.
I agree with everyone that this is a major challenge we have also identified, he added.
However, there are other bigger issues I have observed, adding: one is poor planning, and the second and perhaps most troubling for me is the lack of unity with various players within our sporting ecosystem, no matter how much funds we are able to bring into sports, if we cannot organize the federations to plan better, we shall continue to waste the resources that are already insufficient, he added.
The Minister thanked President Tinubu, for the support he has continued to provide for sports development in the country, and particularly his interest in the welfare of our athletes recalling his approval of N12 billion intervention for football that enabled the nation’s participation at the African Football Confederation (AFCON) and other competitions in addition to settling outstanding backlogs.
“At this point, I would like to on our collective behalf, thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the support he has continued to provide for sports development in the country, and particularly his interest in the welfare of our athletes. Recently, as you would all recall, President Tinubu approved a sum of N12 billion intervention for football that enabled participation at AFCON and other competitions in addition to settling outstanding backlogs.” Enoh, said.
The Minister expressed gratitude to the government of Enugu state for its acceptance to host the meeting under a serene, conducive and secured atmosphere. He also thanked all the participants for their dedication and support in moving sports forward.
The President ably represented by the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, while declaring the meeting open, described sports as a big business and a powerful tool for fostering unity, promoting health, and driving economic growth of any nation, adding that sports can provide a pathway to personal development, offering youths opportunity to build character, discipline and leadership skills.
He said the theme of the Council meeting was timely and reflected the collective resolve to address the challenges facing sports sector and to harness the inherent opportunities it can offer to Nigeria and Nigerians.
The President commended the effort of the Minister and the entire Ministry for their unwavering commitment to the development of Sports in Nigeria, and appreciated the dedication and support of Enugu state in hosting the meeting and in a conducive environment.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mba, noted that sports always held a unique place in our society, serving not just as a source of entertainment and physical exercise, but also as a vital tool for fostering unity, promoting health and building character.
