Sports Minister promises to consolidate on the achievements of the National Sports Commission

Report from Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

Nigeria’s new Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Dr. Tammy Danagogo has declared that his era in office would be characterized by sports for development and peace as part of an immediate, broad, holistic approach to contributing in achieving the transformation agenda of this administration.

The Minister made this declaration at the formal handing over ceremony by his predecessor, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi on Monday, 17th March, 2014 at the Abuja National Stadium.

While speaking at the occasion, the Minister stated that his focus would be to consolidate on the past gains of Bolaji Abdullahi and to build on them for greater glory.   He said, “Whereas we are proud of our recent achievements, I am more focused on the future and how we are going to continue to drive and sustain the growth of our brand to enable the Commission meet its full potentials and win more laurels.”

Danagogo maintained that with determination and commitment, the goal can be achieved to the extent that Nigeria can truly profit from the unimaginable riches of sports merchandising.

The Minister further stated that with the entire staff he is inheriting, hardworking sportsmen and women and sports enthusiasts in the Country, there was nothing stopping the Commission from becoming the most coveted Government agency in the Country.  He noted that the Commission has the capacity to promote national unity, enhance tourism, create jobs and economic empowerment as well as boost health and gain goodwill through fair sportsmanship while winning laurels.

He therefore, enjoined all stakeholders in sports to work closely to elevate and grow the sports industry in order to create greater opportunities for the country, our youths and businesses; stressing that since we have the common attributes of great sports men and women, we should therefore, be passionate, creative, focused and most of all, work as a team.

The Minister used the occasion to call on the members of the fourth estate of the realm to always verify their facts before going to press.  He stated that contrary to reports by some section of the media that the former Minister of Sports refused to hand over the mantle of leadership to him that there was nothing like that, as Bolaji Abdullahi has sufficiently demonstrated his readiness to work with him. 

Earlier, the former Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi had said that the report that claimed that he refused to hand over was not only a falsehood but also in bad faith as there was nothing like that.

When he was submitting his hand over notes, the former Minister pledged his continued loyalty to the incumbent; saying that he was ever willing and ready to oblige his expertise and services, whenever he is called upon. He urged the management of the NSC to collaborate with the new Minister and give him all the support they had extended to him while in office.