The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has charged Nigeria’s Athletes who are to participate in the upcoming 2019 African Game to be good ambassadors, prepared and ready to sustain the position of Nigeria as the Giant and Big Brother of Africa through their performance and bring home Medals in every game they will participate in.
The call was made at the meeting with the Federations Presidents, Secretaries Generals and Technical Directors recently in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting tagged “strategy meeting on Nigeria’s participation at the 2019 Africa Games and 2020 Olympic Game, Barrister Dalung emphasised on his discussion with His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has assured him of his directive of releasing funds for camping and training of Athletes before Nigeria’s Transition holding on May 29, 2019.
Barrister Dalung advised the leadership of the Federations to work in unity for the betterment of our country. “The problem in the Federations is the manipulation of the constitution by leaders in their favour; but I have promised you that it won’t be business as usual”
He called on the Federations Presidents to carry along, their Secretaries and Board Members in their operations and also not to forget that Secretaries serve as guide to them in the field. He also cautioned the Secretaries who run the Federations as if it is their personal business to desist from such attitude. “It has come to my notice that some Secretaries run the Federations in their laptop, when they receive any information on activities, they don’t discuss it with their Presidents” he advised them to be close to their boss so that they would benefit and also be blessed.
Speaking on the preparations for 2019 African Game, the Permanent Secretary, and Mr Adesola Olusade recalled the excellent performance of Nigerians in 2018 where over 500 Medals were won by Athletes. He described such performance as achievement as it would also encourage the Sponsors.
Mr Adesola also informed them of the Project Accounts that were opened and given to Secretaries. He said Project account is government account where Funds are kept to prevent the money been taken to Treasury Single Account (TSA) by Government and also to promote judicial spending of the money. He advised both the President and the Secretaries to adhere to the regulations.
Still on preparations towards 2019 African Games, Mrs Oreweme Tayo, the Director FEAD said 23 Federations have been registered and are preparing for the games, also Camps for the Athletes has been identified.
On the submission of Federations’ Constitution, the Honourable Minister commended Federations that have ratified and submitted theirs and gave an enlargement of time to those who are yet to submit. Barrister Dalung said, the review of the Constitution must be subjected to Board review who are in the position to ratify it. He emphasised the involvement of Staff of the Ministry whenever they are holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Present at the meeting are; The Honourable Minister, Barrister Solomon Dalung, Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola Olusade, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, Directors from the Ministry, Former Osun State Governor, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Golf President), Federations Presidents, Secretaries Generals and Technical Directors of Federations.
Omoyajowo Mercy
For: Director (Press)
