The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enoh

  • Enoh lists reforms amid challenges in sports sector

    Enoh lists reforms amid challenges in sports sector

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh , has listed  the reforms he has initiated  even  as  he earmarked some of the challenges impeding the development and growth of sports in the country.

    Delivering a keynote address at the 1st National Council on Sports meeting in Enugu, the minister  stated that in spite of the myriad of problems he met on ground following his appointment, he has initiated a raft of reforms and policies in his concerted effort and commitment to launch sports on the path of development.

    Having aggregated the problems and challenges that continue to hinder the development of sports, Senator said  he launched WAIFAR, a 6-Point Agenda which he envisioned to champion the welfare of athletes, adopt sports as a business, activate Early-age sports and to reposition the Sports Federations for impact.

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Enoh describes Finidi’s appointment as symbolic, momentous

    He said: “Over the past months, I have traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria listening to everyone. We have embarked on reforms that would reposition Nigerian sports globally and return us to our erstwhile greatness and also give our sports men and women that single thing they have sought for years- that Nigeria loves and cares for them as much as they love and care for Nigeria.”

    In addition to the ongoing implementation of these reforms, the minister underscored ground breaking partnerships the Ministry of Sports Development has forged with the private sector, including agreement with Yanga Games Technologies (YGT), a private sector company to help Nigerian sports raise N35 billion over the next four years to augment budgetary allocations from the Federal government, struck an MOU with Effa Management Ltd to help create facility clusters in the six geopolitical zones and an agreement with GTI to reintroduce and revamp the competition formerly known as the Challenge Cup, now to be known as The President Federation Cup among others.

    Harping on the impact of sports on the Socio-Economic development of the country, Senator Enoh noted that substantial investment in sports infrastructure, talent development and grassroots programmes will not only nurture athletic excellence but stimulate local economies, create employment opportunities and promote healthier lifestyles.

    He called on the Council to focus on some key priorities in the course of its deliberations in order to harness the potential of Sports for National Development.

    The key priorities according to him include leveraging sports to bridge divides and strengthen the bonds of unity among citizens, the empowerment of local communities through sports initiatives to identify and nurture talents, the enhancement of sports infrastructure nationwide, strategic investments in sports for significant Socio-Economic dividends, youth empowerment and development, international partnerships, Private-Public Partnerships and inclusivity and accessibility.

    The minister thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the support he has continued to provide for sports development in the country.

    “Recently, as you would recall, Mr. President approved the sum of N12 billion naira interventions for football that enabled participation at AFCON and other competitions in addition to settling outstanding backlogs. From my several interactions with His Excellency, Mr. President, I want to assure you all that the best days for sports in Nigeria lie ahead of us,” he said.

  • Enoh canvases African host for Commonwealth Games

    Enoh canvases African host for Commonwealth Games

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has emphasized the urgent need for an African country to host the Commonwealth Games, highlighting the continent’s absence as hosts since the inception of the event. 

    He  made these remarks during a consultative meeting convened by the President of the Commonwealth Federation, Chris Jenkins OBE, which brought together ministers of sports and key stakeholders from across Africa. The meeting, held at the Lancaster Hotel in Accra on Sunday, focused on formulating a robust hosting strategy for Africa.

    Expressing concern over Africa’s underrepresentation as a host,  Enoh emphasized the crucial role of deliberate will in bringing the Games to the continent. 

    “It is not a good testimony that Africa has never hosted the Commonwealth Games. It is a matter of will, because even if there are lots of strategies, objectives cannot be achieved without the will,” he  remarked.

    He recalled Nigeria’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and its successful hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGOM) in 2003. 

    Read Also: Enoh, Elegbeleye  extol  Rivers United on Confederation Cup feat

    “It is not because there has not been a desire, but it is the lack of will from the CGF to bring the hosting to Africa,” he  stated. He further advocated for a resolution to grant Africa the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, stressing that with greater will and commitment, Africa could successfully undertake this endeavour.

    He further extended gratitude to Chris Jenkins for his visit to Africa, expressing optimism that his tenure as Commonwealth Federation President would mark a significant milestone in the history of Commonwealth sports. “It is a dark element in the history of the Commonwealth that no African country has hosted the Games,” Enoh noted.

  • Enoh, Sanwo-Olu, Otti commend Eagles despite AFCON blow

    Enoh, Sanwo-Olu, Otti commend Eagles despite AFCON blow

    By Sunny Nwankwo (Umuahia) and Paul Onehi

    Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, said the Super Eagles have won the hearts of Nigerians with their brilliant performance at the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire.

    Enoh hailed the performance of the team which culminated in a silver medal win as the coach Jose Peseiro-led team missed the coveted trophy by the whiskers as hosts Cote d’Ivoire came from behind to beat Nigeria 2-1 at the tournament’s Final Match on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan

    “We have reached the end of AFCON 2023, and I want to express my gratitude to the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the entire team who brought us this far,” Enoh said. “I applaud your commitment to winning, which led us to the finals.

    “We present you with your well-deserved accolades for standing for Nigeria until the end.

    “We are proud of you, You took the Silver, and we congratulate you and wish you all the best,” Enoh added.

    Read Also: Access Holdings loses 6.26%

    Speaking in the same vein, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said the Super Eagles in spite losing the final, deserved commendation.

    He commended the players, the coaching crew and the entire management of the team for making Nigeria proud at the competition.

    He said: “Super Eagles fought gallantly to advance to the final of the AFCON by defeating South Africa, Angola and others. The participation of the team in the final on Sunday is a testament to the determination, resilience and commitment of the Super Eagles to the competition.” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu appealed to Lagos residents and Nigerians, particularly lovers of football, not to allow the defeat of the Super Eagles to affect their love for the national team.

    Meanwhile, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti said even though the Super Eagles came short of lifting the trophy, the players gave their best and succeeded in further strengthening the nation’s image as a formidable force in African football.

    He specifically congratulated Samuel Chukwueze, Kenneth Omeruo and Frank Ogochukwu Onyeka, three sons of Abia State, who were part of the Super Eagles team to the AFCON 2023.

    While thanking Nigerians for the massive support they gave to the Super Eagles throughout the competition, Governor Otti also commended the team’s technical crew and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for their efforts which helped to take Nigeria to the finals of the AFCON.

  • AFCON 2023: Minister sends passionate appeal  to Super Eagles on Palancas Negras 

    AFCON 2023: Minister sends passionate appeal  to Super Eagles on Palancas Negras 

    Ahead  of the crucial AFCON 2023 quarter final match against Palancas Negras   of Angola,  Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Eno, has sent a heartfelt message to the Super Eagles , asking  the coach Jose Peseiro-led  to consolidate on their Round of 16  victory.

    Senator Enoh’s succinct letter in  message  authored by his media aide, Diana-Mary Nsan,  congratulated the Eagles on their victory at the round of sixteen against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and applauded the improvements of the national team during the match.

    “You outclassed and thumped an old foe who came into the party determined to halt your resolute  march towards clinching the coveted trophy,” he said.

    The Minister urged the team to stay the path of victory reminding them that the task is not yet completed.

    Read Also: AFCON 2023: StarTimes  begins  quarter-finals broadcast  with Nigeria, Angola

    He continued:  “You have given a good account of yourselves so far, let me quickly remind you that the job is not yet done, and will be done when you bring the highly sought after trophy back home as worthy African Champions.

     “Your determination, commitment and improvement through every match has shown all the possibilities that the team has all it takes to win the 2023 African Cup of Nations. We completely believe in you.

     “Fate and the dream of well- meaning Nigerians has thrust this responsibility on your shoulders ,you should seize this moment and do our Nation proud  by  ‘doing it again’.”

    Three time champions, Nigeria  first won the AFCON in 1980 by  defeating Algeria  and  in 1994, Nigeria clinched the cup  following a 2-1 win over Zambia  while  in 2013, Nigeria beat Burkina Faso to conquer the continent.

    Senator Enoh reverberated the profound impact the victory of the Super Eagles would bring to the nation without mincing words.

  • Enoh harps on ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for sports development

    Enoh harps on ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for sports development

    Declaring open a two-day ministerial retreat aimed at fortifying the ministry’s mission to deliver its renewed sports development agenda under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has challenged principal officers of the ministry to be alive to their responsibilities.  

    The retreat holding in Abuja, according to a  release signed by the special assistant (media) to  the minister, Diana-Mary Nsan, offers ‘a vibrant atmosphere for brainstorming and strategic planning to overcome challenges plaguing the sports sector.

    Accordingly, Enoh emphasized the retreat’s primary goal: inspiring a collective commitment to align efforts with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of the Tinubu-led administration. 

    Underscoring the importance of close monitoring and evaluation, Senator Enoh highlighted the Ministry’s ambitious plan to engage the private sector actively. 

    “We want to build the trust and confidence of the private sector so that competitions and initiatives of the ministry can enjoy their support and endorsement,” he declared.

    Mrs. Tinuke Watti, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports Development, underscored the retreat’s necessity in re-strategizing and repositioning the Ministry after its demerger from youth and sports, now re-designated as the Federal Ministry of Sports.

     Watti urged participants to immerse themselves in meaningful conversations, sharing insights and ideas to foster collaboration and creativity.

    Read Also: Enoh seeks sporting alliance between Nigeria, Turkey

    “To this end, we shall be looking at the vision, mission, mandate, and structure of the Ministry. Central to the retreat shall be sessions dedicated to strategic planning,” Watti stated. “In the next two days, we will focus on the Ministry of Sports strategic plan and other key policies and mandates that shape our Ministry’s work.”

    Watti  further emphasized the importance of collaborative discussions, knowledge sharing, and innovative thinking, encouraging participants to capitalize on collective expertise and experiences to develop actionable strategies. 

    “I also expect that at the end of this retreat, you will leave this place fully equipped and ready to apply,” she concluded.

  • AFCON: Enoh lauds Tinubu for approval of national teams’ backlog

    AFCON: Enoh lauds Tinubu for approval of national teams’ backlog

    The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent approval of a substantial N12 billion disbursement to address the longstanding outstanding backlog owed to Nigeria’s National teams, as well as boost the mood of the Super Eagles, ahead of the African Cup of Nations kicking off Saturday.

    The payment encompasses the settlement of senior national team coaches’ salaries spanning 15 months, as well as the disbursement of bonuses owed to both senior and junior national teams (male and female). This significant financial injection is particularly timely as it arrived just when the preparations of the Super Eagles for the AFCON struck top gear.

    Read Also: Yemi Alade to perform at AFCON, says it is a dream come true

    The Minister thanked Mr. President for approving the funds, noting that it reflects his love for sports. He added that the approval not only serves as a morale booster for the teams involved but also underscores the government’s dedication to fostering excellence in Nigerian sports on the continental stage.

    “This is a clear indication of Mr. President’s commitment to sports development. This explains why he made Sports Development a standalone Ministry, so as to pay closer attention to its pertinent issues. On behalf of the Ministry and the NFF, I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Senator Enoh said.

    He assured the President Tinubu that the team will do everything within its powers to make the nation proud at the continental showpiece. Nigeria takes on Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, in its first game at the AFCOn before tackling Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau in Abidjan.

  • Enoh to parley Federation’s Presidents on Africa Games

    Enoh to parley Federation’s Presidents on Africa Games

    In a proactive move to bolster and unify efforts for sporting success, the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh is set to host a crucial meeting with Sports Federation presidents in Abuja this Thursday, paving the way to further strategic discussions ahead of the Africa Games.

    The meeting, scheduled to take place in Abuja  on  Thursday, January  11th  at 10am prompt aims to foster collaboration, synchronize plans, and strategize collective actions among the various sports federations. This proactive initiative aligns with the commitment to enhance Nigeria’s competitive edge at the Games, later this year in Accra, Ghana.

    Read Also; Huge sporting expectations for Nigeria

     Enoh highlighted the significance of this gathering, stating: “Our nation boasts exceptional athletic talents across various disciplines. This meeting is a pivotal step toward harnessing our collective potential and ensuring a synchronized approach in our quest for success at the  Africa Games.”

    The agenda will encompass discussions on athlete preparation, resource allocation, administrative coordination, and leveraging expertise to optimize Nigeria’s performance at the continental sporting event.

    The Sports Minister’s proactive engagement with the Federation heads signifies the government’s passion to support and empower Nigerian athletes on their journey to sporting excellence.

    The meeting is anticipated to strengthen unity, streamline strategies, and foster a cohesive environment conducive to achieving remarkable feats at the  African Games coming up in March this year

  • Enoh inspects Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, s. west zonal office

    Enoh inspects Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, s. west zonal office

     In his dedication to advancing grassroots development and fostering sports at the community level, Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, undertook a detailed inspection tour of the Obafemi Awolowo National Stadium in Ibadan.

    The inspection was undertaken yesterday during the Minister’s visit to the Southwest Zonal Office of the Ministry of Sports Development. He emphasized the crucial role that the Ministry’s zonal offices play in his comprehensive agenda for grassroots development.

    The Southwest Zonal Office, encompassing Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos states, serves as a strategic hub for implementing policies and initiatives aimed at activating grassroots sports and facilitating holistic development at the regional level.

    During the inspection tour of the Obafemi Awolowo National Stadium, led by zonal coordinator, Mr. Okere Emmanuel, Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts to thrive, underscoring the pivotal role sports play in unifying communities and fostering a culture of excellence.

    Read Also: Champions League last-16 draw: Arsenal play Porto, Man City to face Copenhagen

    “The zonal offices of the Ministry of Sports Development are vital to our efforts in promoting grassroots sports and development. By focusing on regions, we can tailor our interventions to address specific needs and harness the untapped potential in these communities,” the Minister stated.

    He  affirmed that the visit was part of a broader strategy to engage directly with local communities, understand their unique challenges, and collaborate with stakeholders to implement targeted solutions. He acknowledged the enthusiasm and passion for sports within the Southwest region and emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to creating opportunities for talent development and sports participation at the grassroots level.

    Senator Enoh  further reiterated the need to partner individuals and corporate organizations in the development drive towards national interest.

  • Enoh upbeat as National Para Games opens in Abuja

    Enoh upbeat as National Para Games opens in Abuja

    Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh,  has stated that the second edition of the National Para Games holds immense potential for discovering and unearthing new talents who will represent the nation with pride in the world of para sports in the near future.

    The Minister made the statement during a briefing in Abuja, as the nation eagerly awaits the opening ceremony of the 2023 National Para Games today.

    “The National Para Games is not just about competition and winning medals,” said Senator Enoh. “It is a platform to showcase the incredible talent and determination of our athletes with disabilities. We are confident that this event will unearth new stars who will go on to achieve great things for the nation on the international stage.”

    “Stars like Yakubu Adesokan, Lucy Ejike, Esther Onyeama, Eucharia Iyiazi and others have been successful for Team Nigeria over the years, but they are approaching the twilight of their careers. We will need other athletes to fill the void and take over.

    Read Also: Enoh plans annual sports awards

    “We believe that every individual, regardless of their physical abilities, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential in sports,” he added. “The National Para Games is a testament to this belief, and we are excited to witness the emergence of future champions.”

    He expressed his confidence that the event will be a resounding success, further fostering inclusivity and promoting para sports in the country.

    Nigeria has won a whopping 80 medals at the Paralympic Games, which comprises 40 Gold,  19 silver and 20 bronze medals from the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games till date. Senator Enoh thanked all athletes for their hard work and consistency.

    The Games will be held between December 8-14 in the capital city of Abuja, with athletes from across the federation conglomerating in the Center of Excellence.

  • Enoh plans annual sports awards

    Enoh plans annual sports awards

    The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has thrown his weight behind the hosting of an annual sports awards ceremony, dedicated to honoring sports legends, current stars, and key contributors who are shaping the country’s sporting landscape.

    The Minister made the statement on Thursday, during the official handover of a training pitch in the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, adopted and upgraded by AfriKing Homes Ltd under the Adopt-A-Facility programme.

    Expressing his support, Senator Enoh emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the exemplary achievements of sports icons, while also acknowledging the pivotal role played by individuals and entities in propelling the nation’s sporting development.

    Read Also; FG unveils decent work programme to strengthen employees’ rights

    One of the things we have committed to is that from next year, we will be organizing an annual sports awards ceremony,” the Minister said. “The ceremony will not be limited to current sportsmen and women, or our legends in sports. It will also be an opportunity to honour and showcase sports lovers, business professionals, and private individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of sports.

    The establishment of an annual sports awards ceremony represents a significant milestone in our commitment to acknowledge and appreciate the remarkable accomplishments of our sporting heroes. It is marked as crucial to commend the unwavering dedication of entities and individuals driving the progress of sports in our nation.

    Senator Enoh further highlighted the transformative impact such an event will have on inspiring future generations, fostering a culture of excellence, and providing a platform to showcase the invaluable contributions within the sporting community.