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Tag: Solomon Dalung

  • Our boxers good to go for commonwealth games – NBF

    Our boxers good to go for commonwealth games – NBF

    Brig.-Gen. Joseph Ayeni, the Vice-President of Nigeria Boxing Federation ( NBF ), on Friday in Lagos said the federation’s one-day trial recorded success as the national boxers displayed  high level of competitiveness.

    The one-day boxing trial was put together by the NBF to assess the readiness of boxers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast, Australia in April.

    Ayeni told our reporter that the 16 boxers in camp performed well during their pre-tournament bouts held at the National Stadium Complex in Lagos.

    “We are happy with the performances of the boxers and I can assure you that the boxers are ready to do the nation proud at the Games and bring home laurels.

    “There is still much to do, and the little time available will be used to correct all those areas that still need to be touched.

    “I commend the coaching crew led by Tony Konyegwachie. I have seen a great level of development and I believe we can still do better.

    “We have seen the boxers, and we can see that they are wonderful and excellent boxers. But it is only after we test them against their international counterparts that we can assess them well,’’ Ayeni said.

    He said the federation’s plan was to take the 16 boxers presently in camp to the Games so that the others could serve as sparring partners to the recommended eight boxers.

    “The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has recommended that we take eight boxers to the Games. However, we are hoping to take along eight others to serve as sparing partners to the recommended number,” Ayeni said.

    Prior to the Games in April, there would be a pre-doping tournament to check on the level of discipline of the boxers.

    NAN

  • Dalung urges UN to create Commission for youth development

    Dalung urges UN to create Commission for youth development

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, on Friday in Abuja urged the United Nations to create a Commission which would address issues related to youth development.

    Dalung said this when he received the UN Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake, in his office.

    “The absence of this has led to our not having a meaningful development in the youth, because there is no platform for the young people to operate.

    “The Nigeria youths are facing poverty, not only material poverty but also poverty of the mind. Unemployment and lack of inclusion in governance.

    “Once the UN runs an inclusive policy of having a specific budget for the youths, it will go a long way in addressing some of these problems,’’ the minister said.

    Read Also: CHAN:  Dalung congratulates Super Eagles

    He said the UN should ask all member-states to dedicate a specific percentage of their annual budget for youth development.

    Dalung noted that the world had over time been gambling with its future, which happens to be the youths.

    Earlier, Wickramanayake had said she was in Nigeria to work to expand the UN’s youth engagement and advocacy efforts such as sustainable development, human rights, peace and security, and humanitarian action.

    Our reporter says that Wickramanayake has worked extensively on youth development.

    She has also played a key role in transforming the youth development sector in her home country of Sri Lanka.

     

  • `Buhari’s victory in 2015, a political revolution’ – Dalung

    `Buhari’s victory in 2015, a political revolution’ – Dalung

    Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Barr. Solomon Dalung, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory against an incumbent in 2015 had proved that one could win election in Nigeria without having money.

    Dalung, who said this, while addressing officials of the Permanent Mission, Nigeria House in New York, said there was a brewing political revolution against ‘god-fatherism’ in the Nigerian political space.

    “There is hope for Nigeria. The victory of President Buhari, up till now, not many Nigerians have understood it; it was a political revolution.

    “What it has brought is that you can contest and win election even when you do not have money.’’

    “God-fatherism’ was instituted to control elected officials so that they would not go beyond control.

    “Dalung said ‘god-fatherism’ is a political servitude where you are tested to determine your loyalty. The thing is that without a god father, they believe you can’t be controlled.’’

    Read Also: NYCN urges Buhari to caution  Dalung

    The minister was in New York for the Seventh Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum at the UN Headquarters where he delivered a paper on: ‘The role of youth in building sustainable and resilient communities’.

    “The ‘Not too Young to Run’ is an advocacy that is sending strong signals to political lords that they had overstayed their welcome; either they give way or they will be forced out.’’

    The minister blamed those he called “urban gorillas” whom he said were in charge of the country’s political machinery for manipulating the system.

    “At 53 years, they still call me a small boy,” he decried, saying he had contested elections several times and won but was deprived by the ‘urban gorillas’.

    The minister also said that he brought the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Plateau but suffered as an orphan because he did not have a god-father.

    According to him, his advocacy is to liberate the young people, reorient the mindset of many Nigerian youths that have been enslaved.

    He also called on young people to understand the political system they were coming into so as to better strategise.

    According to Dalung, Nigeria is making steady progress in infrastructure, economy and security and called for unity.

    “We can refine and build a Nigeria of our dream.

    “We have the best form of selfless ministers in this era. As ministers, most of us do not have houses but we live in rented apartments in Abuja.

    “Some of us lived in Boys Quarters before we got apartments because people were asking for N1.5 million as rent.

    “I would have even preferred to stay in Gwagwa but we were told we could not for obvious reasons,’’ he said.

    Dalung said Buhari had made a statement about the rampaging armed herdsmen but that the country would also need to engage its neighbours to stop giving access to the criminals to move freely into the country.

    Earlier, Nigeria’s Ambassador/Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Amb. Samson Itegboje commended the Federal Government for the steady progress in the areas of economy, infrastructure, fight against insurgency and anti-corruption.

    The Nigerian ambassador pledged that the missions’ would continue to bring their expertise to bear on the international stage so as to lift the flag of Nigeria high among the comity of nations.

     

    NAN

  • CHAN: Dalung congratulates Super Eagles

    CHAN: Dalung congratulates Super Eagles

    Minister of Youth and Sports Development Solomon Dalung has congratulated Nigeria’s home-based Super Eagles for qualifying for the finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Dalung, who spoke with the Correspondent of the News in New York, urged the team to ensure, they bring the trophy to Nigeria.

    He said the team’s qualification, after edging Sudan 1-0 in the semi-final in Marrakech, was ‘historic’, being their first ever.

    “I want to congratulate the Super Eagles ‘B’ for their successful prosecution of the African Championship ongoing in Morocco with successive victories that have led them now to the finals.

    “This is historic and they have the support of the Nigerian Government, they have the support of the Ministry and they have the support of the Nigerian people.

    “The only justice in the circumstance is for them to lift the trophy and bring it to Nigeria.

    Read Also:  Dalung To Inspect African Wrestling Venue Today

    “This is because Nigeria appears to be the only place that has accommodation for the trophy now.

    “I want to also thank Nigerians for their support and encouragement and for standing by the team. Let’s ride on, Nigeria will be great again,” Dalung said.

    The minister urged the home-based Super Eagles and their coaching crew to remain focused and determined until they win the CHAN trophy on Sunday.

    Gabriel Okechukwu scored Nigeria’s winning goal in the 16th minute.

    Nigeria will meet Morocco, the hosts, who earlier dispatched Libya 3-1 in the first semi-final played in Casablanca.

    NAN

  • Dalung inaugurates 33-man NYCN committee

    Dalung inaugurates 33-man NYCN committee

    The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, has inaugurated a 33-man National Transition Committee of the National Youth Council of Nigeria ( NYCN ).

    Dalung, who inauguratwd the committee in Abuja, said the committee should come up with modalities and action plan that would target the realisation of a successful elective congress within six months.

    Dalung charged the committee to find lasting solutions to the crisis bedevilling the council, urging them to use the opportunity to harvest new executives with wealth of experience.

    “You will agree with me that the NYCN leadership crisis was an ill wind that blows nobody any good. We are all losers and victims of the Council’s power tussle.

    “The Nigerian youths has lost so much as crisis deprived them of quality representation nationally and internationally.”

    Read also: How Sports Minister Dalung spurred Eagles to victory

    The Minister noted that committee members would be culminated in an elective congress which would usher in a new leadership for the Youth Council, adding that the committee was a true reflection of interest groups , zones and was gender sensitive.

    The Minister, however, warned all the members of the council against cresting the NYCN logo on their vehicles,  stressing that anyone found guilty of this would be sanctioned.

    He also directed youths above 35 years should only serve at the National Advisory Council level of the NYCN, stressing that henceforth, the council’s leadership will be within the age range of 33 to 35 years.

    He  called on youths to work hard with the interest of the nation at heart, while advising them to not let themselves be deceived by over ambitious politicians who do not mean well for the country.

    Earlier, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the NYCN Mr Dickson Akoh, appealed to members seeking elective positions, who have been barred constitutionally from contesting due to the age limit enshrined in the constitution, to comply so as to enable the council move forward.

    He also charged the newly inaugurated committee members to be committed in delivering on the mandate given to them, and hoped to  inaugurate a substantive executive members of the council in the shortest period.

    NAN

  • West African Ministers of Sports meet in Abuja

    West African Ministers of Sports meet in Abuja

    The First Session of the West African Ministers of Sports Council Meeting will open in Abuja today.

    Nnake Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to Nigeria’s sports minister, Solomon Dalung, said that the meeting would hold at the Conference Hall of the ECOWAS Parliament.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to declare the meeting open. But he will be represented as he is away in Paris France, for the Planet One Summit.

    Ikem-Anibeze said that the President or his representative would also launch the Permanent Secretariat Headquarters of the African Union Region 2 (AUSC REG 2) in Abuja.

    She said the Permanent Secretariat Headquarters was granted to Nigeria in December, 2015.

    “The AUSC Region 2 comprises of the 15 West African countries.

  • Super Eagles to get World Cup allowances upfront – Minister

    Super Eagles to get World Cup allowances upfront – Minister

    The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, said on Tuesday that Super Eagles players would be given all encouragement to excel at next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    He said the team’s allowances would be paid upfront from March next year.

    Dalung put the team expenses at N3 billion.

    The minister spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “By March, we intend to start paying the players their allowances and camping allowances upfront. Now, that will go a long way to boost the morale of the players and confidence too. The new method of governance in football has taken the pattern of change. We will also ensure that there is unity within the football family.

    “Because unity too is a key factor going by some of the reports we had in the past where poor performances were attributable to lack of unity between the family, the technical team,  the officials and the players.  This unity has to be promoted.

    “Finally, we will also ensure that government makes funds available on time.  That has been the reason the budget for the competition has since been sent to the President for a special intervention so that government can make provision for some of the funds we need for training now before other things can come up.”

    “Well we have a conservative budget of about N3 billion but out of that N3 billion, FIFA is going to raise about N900 million.  Our sponsors and partners are also going to put about N600 million, government will conservatively raise about N2 billion or N2.5 billion to compliment.

    “This time, we also intend to mobilize a very strong federal government delegation that will support the team because game of sports is also about number. The number of people you have on ground can also give support to the players and intimidate the opponents. So, we intend to go with at least a good size of the federal government delegation to give the team support.”

  • Dalung urged national federations to start preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Dalung urged national federations to start preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

    Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, has urged national sports federations to commence preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in order to achieve success.

    Dalung who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2017 National Karate Open Championship in Abuja said sports federations hoping to win laurels at the 2020 Olympics must commence preparations early.

    Represented by Tayo Oreweme, the Director of the Sports Ministry’s Federation and Elite Athletes Department ( FEAD ), the minister noted that the Tokyo Games would be karate’s first Olympic outing.

    “This will be the first time karate will feature at the Games, hence the need to commence preparations and be part of that history,’’ he said.

    Dalung said it was important that preparation should commence immediately in view of the need for the Karate Federation of Nigeria to have its athletes qualify for the Games.

    “I hope that the federation’s technical team has been able to identify high-profile athletes from this championship who will be nurtured to stardom to win medals at the Olympics.

    “To qualify for the Olympics, all hands must be on deck.

    “I want to encourage the federation to spread its tentacles, to get to the corporate and private organisations, as well as the World Karate Federation, for financial and technical support which will ensure successful outings at the qualifying competitions,” he said.

    Dalung also called on the national federations to concentrate more on constant organisation of zonal and national competitions for all age categories.

    “This is what will help you to identify and nurture potential athletes to represent Nigeria at international competitions,’’ the minister said.

    Earlier, President of the federation, Silas Agara, had said karate was becoming a global sport capable of building bridges of love, friendship and cooperation among nations.

    “It is for this reason that its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has come to us as a positive development.

    “It is my hope and expectation that all stakeholders, athletes, coaches, referees, administrators and sponsors will strive to make our collective dream come true in our determination to place our country on the map of world recognition.

    “I urge all participants in the national championship to commit themselves to the sport with all sense of patriotism, having in mind that the essence of participating in competitions is not only the euphoria of winning.

    “Have it in mind that there is more fulfillment in the coming together to enhance national integration,’’ he said.

    Agara restated the federation’s resolve to open up opportunities for all athletes, regardless of gender, class or age, in order to enable sportsmen and women realise their aspirations.

    He promised to ensure equal development and promotion of karate in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT through sustained courses, seminars, competitions and provision of access to facilities.

    Agara said no stone would be left unturned as the federation sets out to identify athletes who possess the needed potential for the 2020 Olympics.

    NAN reports that FCT and Lagos won gold in the kata female and male team events respectively.

    NAN

  • ‘Why has Abuja Swimming Pool been left to deteriorate?’

    ‘Why has Abuja Swimming Pool been left to deteriorate?’

    Barrister Solomon Dalung, the Minister of Youth and Sports has frowned at the lack of maintenance of and under utilization of one of the swimming pools at Package B of the Abuja National Stadium.
    The Minister who paid an unscheduled visit to the swimming pool section of the Stadium on Tuesday expressed displeasure with the lack of use of the pool which is now turned to a breeding pond for tadpoles, fishlings and frogs. Some of the  tiles inside the warm up pool had already come off and  covered with algae.
    Barrister Dalung queried why the pool was left in its present state after so much money was spent to construct the facility.
    “I understand that since 2003 when this swimming pool was built, it has not been used for any competition. Why has this government facility been left to deteriorate to this level after 15 years of building it?” the Minister queried.
    In his response, the Deputy Director of facilities at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Arch. Gambo Ahmadu explained that there were no competitions and therefore no swimmers to make use of the pool. Gambo also stated that new pumping machines and treatment chemicals were needed to change the water and make it functional.
    “We need filters, additives and pumping machines to get the pool back in good condition but the problem is that there are no athletes to make use of the facility.”
    The Minister however requested for a budget to put the facility back in use to be sent to him in the next 48 hours.
    He also inspected the offices and charged them to keep it clean.
  • Dalung urges NASS to allocate more funds to sports

    Dalung urges NASS to allocate more funds to sports

    Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports on Wednesday called on the National Assembly to allocate more funds to sports in Nigeria.

    Dalung made the call in Abuja while receiving the victorious Nigeria Scrabble Federation National Team from the World English Scrabble Players Association Championship ( WESPAC ) in Nairobi, Kenya, led by its president, Suleiman Gora.

    According to him, in the last two years, the ministry of Youth and Sports has done better than any other ministry because we have brought glory to the country.

    “Since this is the situation, we need more funds to develop sports.

    “A situation where federations that have made the country proud have yearly budgetary allocation of between N30 or N40 billion, which cannot even fund one trip is unacceptable.

    “We have over stretched the commitment of our people because members of the federation had at all time been contributing their  monies in order to sponsor trips.

    “Let us demonstrate commitment as a government by providing better support so that we can take governance in the federations to the next level,’’ he said.

    Dalung appealed to the private sector to develop interest in the sponsorship of different sports in Nigeria and invest in it.

    “The multinational companies should develop interest in individual athletes, pick and train athletes, this will be better for sports in the country” he further said.

    He, however, pledged to constantly support the federation in all of its activities.

    Earlier, Gora informed the Minster that Nigeria had emerged the best scrabble playing nation for the second time running in the history of the sports.

    “We are making history for the second time. This is the first country in the world and the only Black Country to have won the  championship back to back.

    “In Nairobi, we got 54 countries participating from over the world and we had countries representation of 169 players.

    “In scrabble the top 15 positions are the ones that are considered for winning positions. Nigeria had five of her players in the top 15.

    “We went there as the World Champions in terms of country representation and on individual basis.

    “I am happy to inform you that we fought gallantly for the individual position up to the finals, at the end of 32 games, Moses Peter of Nigeria come second,’’ he said.

    Presenting the trophy, Gora called for more funds to help the federation to win more laurels for the country.

    NAN