………….Inaugurates 7 Man Investigative Committee.
The Federal Ministry of Sports Development holds its Olympic and Paralympic post games Audit and Review Meeting to evaluate various aspects of the nation’s performance, comparison with previous Olympic and Paralympic performances, a review of the financial support provided, auditing the sports training facilities, and the effectiveness of pre training camps and discussions on how the outcome of the Olympics and paralympics can contribute to long term sports development.
The meeting took place at the Media Center of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja recently chaired by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh.
The Minister disclosed that the meeting marks the beginning of a comprehensive review focused on understanding the factors behind the disappointing Olympic results.
Enoh noted that the initiative to organize this meeting is pertinent to address criticisms concerning Nigeria’s performance at the global game.
The Minister reiterated the ministry’s commitment to take measures to avoid such occurrence in the nation’s sports history.
“It is important to recommend measures to avoid future occurrences of similar situations”.
Delivering the welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Tinuke Watti welcomed all the participants and appealed to all to be free to make meaningful contributions, constructive criticism and suggestions that will help in achieving the essence of calling for the meeting.
The NOC and PCN Presidents, the Presidents of Sports Federations or representatives were all given the opportunity to address the meeting.
Those summoned to the meeting are the President and Secretary General of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), as well as the Presidents, General Secretaries, Technical Directors, and coaches of all 12 sports Nigeria featured at the Olympics and the four sports at the Paralympics.”
Members of the Ministerial Podium Performance Committee and Heads of Technical Departments of the Ministry.
In a related development, the Minister has inaugurated a seven-member committee to investigate the country’s poor performance at the just concluded 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Game.
The committee members were drawn from the six geo political zones of the nation chaired by Dr. Mumuni Alao, will investigate various negative events and exposures to the country during the Games. Other members are Aliyu Mohammed (North-West), Hajia Rakiya Muhammed (North-Central), Godwin Enakhena (South-South), Dr. Abubakar Ango (North-East), and Nnene Akudo(South-East). Dr. Victor Okangbe (South-South) the committee secretary and the terms of reference were provided.
The Minister charged them to take the assignment with all seriousness and avoid any form of compromise in their approach.
During the inauguration, Enoh stated that the outcome of the Olympic was not what the ministry planned for, as the negative exposure and publicity negates our experience in terms of international sporting events of the country.
He noted the ministry‘s commitment to take measures to avoid future occurrences of such negative reports. It demonstrated this by bringing in men and women of integrity with impeccable character as members of the Committee.
“It is important to recommend measures to avoid future occurrences of similar situations, It is possible for Nigeria to attend a world competition devoid of negatives and the ministry is going to ensure this happens, this is why the ministry is demonstrating this commitment in the membership of the committee, you find people whose integrity cannot be questioned, people who have contributed into Sports, people whom their names are very important to them”.
He charged them to see the assignment as a service to the nation and should be carried out with utmost honesty and integrity to investigate and expose any one or body found culpable.
Responding on behalf of the Committee, the Chairman Dr Mumuni Alao pledged their unflinching determination to carry out the assignment and to deliver as requested.
He commended the Minister for constituting the Committee without any member of staff of the Ministry which he described as a show of his honesty to move the sports sector forward.
In his remark, the HOD Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Mr Olumide Bamiduro, thanked the members of the Committee for accepting to do the work while assuring them of the ministry’s cooperation to ensure the success of the job.
The committee is to submit their report within one month.
kehinde Ajayi (Mrs)
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