AFCON 2023 draw Nigeria In Group A October 13, 2023 AFCON 2023 draw ( Group A)

 AFCON 2023 draw Nigeria In Group A

October 13, 2023

AFCON 2023 draw ( Group A)

Cote d'Ivoire 

Nigeria 🇳🇬 

Equatorial Guinea 

Guinea Bissau

Sports Minister Welcomes Deaf Eagles, Congratulates Team on Nigeria's First Appearance at World Deaf Football Championships

 Sports Minister Welcomes Deaf Eagles, Congratulates Team on Nigeria's First Appearance at World Deaf Football Championships

_Ministry to begin work on making deaf sports mandatory at National Sports Festivals and Youth Games_

The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, today welcomed back Nigeria's Men's Deaf football team, also called the "Deaf Eagles", in Abuja, after their participation at the 4th edition of the World Deaf Football Championships that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Minister hailed the team for their outing as they made Nigeria proud. Nigeria was a first time participant at the Championships, making its debut after three previous editions of the Games.

"I congratulate you all for representing Nigeria at the World Championships, as we made our first appearance since 2008 when this tournament started," the Minister said. "In three previous editions, Nigeria was not represented, but for the first time ever, the Nigerian flag was hoisted at the Games courtesy of your hard work. This deserves that we appreciate and commend you."

Senator Enoh added that sports remains the greatest tool for social inclusion, with its ability to engender diversity, equity and inclusion in the society. 

"There is no greater demonstration of the social inclusiveness of sports than having a deaf team travel to represent Nigeria," he noted. "It is in sports that you find that there is no discrimination whatsoever. By finishing 11th at the world championships, this team has placed Nigeria on the world map. As a country, on the behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we celebrate your uncommon love and sacrifice for our nation."

To foster the development of deaf sports, the Minister stated that he will work with relevant administrators to ensure deaf sports gets an assured place in the National Sports Festival. He added that his administration will also open the door for the addition of deaf sports to the list of events at the National Youth Games.

The President of the Deaf Sports Federation, Alhaji Sulieman Saka Dagbo thanked the Minister for receiving the team, as it was the first time of being accorded such honour in spite of their past achievements at the continental and global level. 

"We did not expect that a Minister would show up to receive us honourably, that has never happened before," he said. "With this honour, we will ensure that we perform even better in subsequent competitions."

Dagbo made a special request for the minister to provide accommodation, and allowances for the team, which was expeditely approved by the Minister.

Coach of the team Kamaldeen Banjo noted that in spite of the team travelling with 13 players and two coaches, they gave their best shot in Kuala Lumpur. He thanked the Minister for the support provided while the team was away on international soil.

"We want to appreciate the Honourable Minister for giving us the opportunity to participate in this tournament, else Nigeria would not have made the position it got."

Nigeria ranked 11th out of 25 countries at the Games, after surpassing the group stages. The deaf Eagles exited the Championship gallantly after losing 2-0 to Ukraine in the Round of 16.

SIGNED:

The Media Office of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development.

October 9, 2023.

We must implement programmes with lasting effect, Makinde tasks appointees

 

We must implement programmes with lasting effect, Makinde tasks appointees

As Govt holds three-day retreat

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has tasked critical stakeholders in his administration to be diligent, prudent and innovative so as to deliver on the administration’s mandate of engendering sustainable development in the state.

This was as the governor advocated effective synergy among all key players across different Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government, noting that this remained the only way the government would be able to implement policies and programmes that will have a lasting positive impact on the people.

Governor Makinde stated this on Wednesday, at the Conference Centre of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, during his opening address at a three-day leadership retreat for political appointees, including members of the State Executive Council, Special Advisers, Executive Assistants and Chairmen of Agencies/Parastatals, among others.

While declaring the event open, the governor said: “I want to use these opening remarks to answer two questions; why are we having an Oyo State Government Executive Retreat? Is it to get away from our issues in town, since we are here at IITA, a diplomatic environment? What should we expect from this retreat? At the end of these two and a half days, what would you have gotten?

“Answering these questions will set the tone for this event and even guide the facilitators and speakers in making their presentations. Every project must start with a goal and then you mark out your objectives on the goal.

So, let me answer the first question, why are we having the Oyo State Government Executive Retreat. It is an opportunity for all of us here as decision-makers to rub minds together and develop strategies that will facilitate the success of Omituntun 2.0 agenda.

At this point I would say that nobody should be a stranger to the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable to Development, 2023-2027.

“For some of you that we have been working together, we kept talking about the vision, so I believe that a majority of us here would know what is in that roadmap. But I have not had the opportunity to share with everyone as a group the vision behind those strategic plans.

So, this retreat would afford me the opportunity to share the three keys behind Omituntun 2.0 with you all.
“To the second question, what do you expect from this retreat? For those of you who have seen the programme of the day, it promises to be an interesting session, my expectation is that you take note and apply things learnt from the retreat in your various ministries, departments and agencies.”

Governor Makinde, while speaking on the theme “Exploring the Implementation of the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023 -2027,” equally urged the political appointees to develop strategies that will facilitate the quick delivery of the roadmap sustainable development agenda also known as Omituntun 2.0.

According to him, residents of the state “are expecting more dividends of democracy within the short time of our second term in office,” even as he promised to continue to deliver on policies, projects as well as activities that will have a long term effect on the people of the state.

The governor, who maintained that his administration is still operating the four pillars of economic expansion, security, education and health, explained that the government only added the components of tourism and solid minerals development to the drive to expand the economy of the state

The governor equally explained that the agenda of Omituntun 2.0 is to consolidate on the achievements recorded by the administration under Omituntun 1.0, stating that more efforts would be required to deliver on his electioneering promises to the people, who aligned with his commitment to upgrade Omituntun 1.0.He enjoined the appointees to always collaborate with relevant ministries and agencies and play their parts in ensuring the delivery of the promises.

Delivering his paper, the lead speaker, Mr Niyi Yusuf, who spoke on the main topic of the retreat, “Adaptive Leadership Strategies in an Uncertain Time,” said that successful leaders are those that navigate their time even in times of crisis.

The keynote speaker and CEO of the FirstBank Group, Dr Sola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, advised the appointees to set up strategies and practices that can be used to overcome obstacles and accomplish meaningful changes in line with the mission and vision of the state.

He urged the appointees to be dedicated to service in order to help the development of the state.Speaking on the topic, “Personnel Management in Economic Landscape,” Dr Adeduntan commended the achievements and good innovations of the Governor Makinde administration, especially in the areas of information technology, with the recent introduction of smart cards for Omituntun buses. 

Earlier in her welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, noted that the retreat is strategic, stating that its objective is to ensure that all appointees work together to achieve the mission and vision of the administration, while looking inward to a great and holistic adaptive system.

Signed
Sulaimon Olanrewaju
Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor
October 4, 2023.