In honour of his excellent tenure as Minister of Sports and Youth Development, sports industry stakeholders arranged a reception for Mr Sunday Dare.
Yesterday in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, claimed that sports sector stakeholders privately organised the reception to honour Mr Dare.
For his innovations that transformed the sports sector in his four years as Minister.
He called the reception a “Celebration of Excellence” and “the latest on the number of deserving recognitions Dare has garnered following what many have unarguably regarded as a successful and accomplished term as Sports and Youth Minister.”
The Permanent Secretary stated that during his tenure as Minister, the country received 254 Medals and implemented several policy initiatives to align the sector with global best practices.
Alhaji Ismaila urged industry stakeholders to support the Federal Government’s policy measures for the benefit of our youth and the nation’s socio-economic growth.
He promised that the Ministry will continue to facilitate the Federal Government’s policies, programmes, and projects in line with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy.
Former Nigerian international footballer Chief Segun Odegbami called Dare a National Asset who deserves all the praise, adding that this is the first time in his sports career that a Minister who left office is still honoured.
“By virtue of my position, I have worked closely with many prior Sports Ministers so I know how difficult it is to survive as a Sports Minister in Nigeria but Dare proved everyone wrong with his style of leadership that resulted in many achievements,” he said.
Odegbami added, “I am particularly looking forward to the next task Dare would undertake because his depth of experience and quality will be very helpful to the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
Dr Henry Nzekwu, a stakeholder in the netball industry, stated earlier in his presentation that the former Minister confronted the sector’s age-old challenges by taking bold steps and, with the support of the former administration, recorded unprecedented podium performances in global sports by Nigerian athletes.
He called Dare the most decorated Minister of Sports and Youth Development and said Nigeria appreciates his huge strides in sports, which has always been difficult.
Mr. Sunday Dare commended President Muhammadu Buhari and other stakeholders in the sports business for their support and understanding.
“We would not have achieved what we did without the majority of stakeholders, from the office of Mr. President, the National Assembly, the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), the Sports Ministry itself and the numerous Sporting Federations,” he stated.
The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Senator Obinna Ogba, General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Nigeria Premier League, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Special Assistant to Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Sports, Daniel Amokachi, Chief of Staff to the former Minister, Alhaji Abba Yola, and a cross-sectio
