By Hillary Asemota
The Federal Government and the Government of the Portuguese Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Youth and Sports Development with a view to promoting, developing and facilitating youth and sports cooperation based on the principle of equity, mutual benefit and full respect for each country’s sovereignty and heritage.
The MoU which was part of the benefits of the state visit by President Muhammadu Buhari to President Marcelo Rebelo is aimed at setting out the general framework of cooperation programmes on youth and sports as well as encourage through their governmental and non-governmental youth organisations, the exchange of experiences in youth and sports development between the two countries.
It will further foster bilateral exchange with a view to promoting the protection and development of youth and sports as well as strengthen the capacities of institutions in both countries on the basis of mutual reciprocity and benefit
According to the MoU, the signatories within the scope of their respective competencies, expressed their willingness to encourage the exchange of experiences on youth and sports development in accordance with the agreed programme of implementation by both countries
The agreement is expected to cover the areas of National, International and notable historic events; conflict resolution among vulnerable youth groups; democratic proceedings of their youth parliaments; civic education and youth mentoring; as well as capacity building workshops, seminars and trainings on HIV/AIDs and other health related issues in the youth sector while in the field of sports, it is expected to exchange experience and information between government officials, experts and researchers; grassroots sports; volunteering; statistical production; human resource development and ethics in sports.
Others include sports diplomacy and high-performance centres; seminars, research activities, science and technology, cooperation in fields of Anti-Doping in Sports and Sports Medicine, friendly competitions and joint training in various sports involving national teams in the senior, junior and female categories, among others.,
The bilateral agreement which contains 11 articles covers aims and objectives; competent authorities, scope of cooperation, youth exchange programmes, joint working groups, implementation, funding and implementation time table.
Others are legal status, interpretation and implementation, changes as well as entry into effects.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare stated that the bilateral agreement was another commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration towards the development of Youth and Sports in the country with a view to promoting peace and stability, not only in the continent of Africa but also, across the globe by engaging the teeming youth population in various skills acquisition programmes and sports, to build capacity among them.
Signed: Mohammed Manga, Director (Press & Public Relations at the FMYSD.