Nigeria can create millions of jobs through sports- NIMASA DG
.Targets 2020 Japan Olympic gold medals
By Silas Onuoha
NIMASA DG
The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, says sports has a big place in the country’s development equation, as the spirit of fairness and unity, which sporting events evoke in nation-building.
Dakuku said the support of all and sundry, especially corporate Nigeria, was needed to tap the huge benefits that abound in sports for the country’s greatness.
The NIMASA DG made this known in Lagos when receiving members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC on a courtesy visit, adding that countries like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, the United States and even Kenya are using part of the greatness through sports for other benefits, including boosting their economic growth.
The NOC members, led by their President, Habu Ahmed Gumel, commended NIMASA management for its strategic steps in support of the Next Level agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari government, by the changes that had been engineered in the maritime sector, and sought the Agency’s support in bringing about the same spirit towards the country’s participation at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, saying NOC aims for more gold medals.
Gumel along with Dakuku, enumerated many benefits Nigeria could reap from sports to include job creation and opportunities for many youths to join international football clubs, among others.
The DG, who received NOC delegation alongside other members of NIMASA management team, praised the efforts of the committee at ensuring that Nigeria get gold medals at the upcoming Olympic Games, in Tokyo Japan, 2020.
He told NOC team, “We thank you for visiting the Agency and for your kind words in recognition of our modest accomplishments, as we endeavour to contribute our own quota to the success of our President, Muhammadu Buhari’s Next Level agenda.
“In NIMASA, we work as a team. That is why we have been able to accomplish the things we have done so far. With different persons playing different roles and making sure we keep our eyes on the ball, and in the spirit of sportsmanship, a huge atmosphere of success is created. This atmosphere is a crucial ingredient for nation-building.
“Sports play a major social and economic role in our country. It enhances the reputation of the nation and can create millions of jobs for our youths, if properly harnessed.
“Sport can be one of the biggest employers of labour in our country, like it is in America and the United Kingdom. Sport is good for national image, national pride and also good for our own health as individuals. That is why every month in NIMASA we have sporting activities for staff.”
Gumel, in his remarks, said the committee needed funds to carry out its functions.
He called on NIMASA, other Agencies of government, as well as private sector in particular to support this national objective for the collective good of the country, as government cannot do it alone, if we are to sustain our greatness.
The NOC leader commended Dakuku and his management team for the landmark achievements recorded in NIMASA, including the provision of sea time for many Nigerian cadets under Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP.
