In a groundbreaking effort to reposition sports as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy and culture, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, has embarked on an aggressive campaign to market Sports as a National Asset.
His ambition in Sports development inspired the bold steps that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s (PBAT) agenda of elevating Nigeria’s sports development to enviable heights.
The DG during a breakfast meeting with Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Chairman, Davnotch Nigeria Limited, a lover of sports and a leading advocate of sports development in Nigeria, at his Abuja residence, sought Ochei’s unflinching support for President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s sports development enshrined in the Renewed Hope agenda.
Rt. Hon. Ochei, renowned for his outstanding investments and support for professional and grassroots sports, not only accepted an invitation to serve as a Patron of the Paralympics Committee of Nigeria but equally pledged to expand his investments in Nigeria’s Sports sector following the consultative visit of the DG.
Reflecting on the significance of Olopade’s appointment as NSC DG, Ochei remarked; “President Tinubu’s decision to entrust Sports administration to seasoned professionals led by my brother and friend, Bukola Olopade, signals a transformative era and I thank Mr. President for shopping for highly experienced professionals to address the developmental needs of our nation and to close existing gaps”.
” I consider your appointment as a renewed opportunity for Sports – loving individuals and corporations to collaborate in building a thriving economy from sports, particularly through championing initiatives that promote grassroots competition in track events, gymnastics, ball games, and aquatic sports.”
It is worth noting that over the past 15 years, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei’s contributions to Sports development in Nigeria have been monumental, blazing a trail in standards for private sector involvement as a driving force behind the remarkable growth of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria.
He has provided an all-inclusive platform for athletes with disabilities to thrive, showcasing the transformative power of Sports in promoting disability rights.
Through his companies, Ochei has consistently funded the Tennis Federation, ensuring the sport’s sustained growth in Nigeria aimed at enhancing its international competitiveness.
His evident grassroots sports development footprints bear a testament to the ongoing construction of a state-of-the-art stadium in Delta State to nurture young talents in sports and foster all-inclusive community sports engagement, involving people with physical challenges.
Ochei’s efforts underscore the critical role of corporate partnerships in advancing sustainable sports development goals to upscale Nigeria’s ranking on the global stage.
During the meeting, Rt. Hon. Ochei pledged to broaden his investment scope, particularly in underfunded sports like tennis, cricket, and the Paralympics. He emphasized that with the trust placed in Olopade’s professional leadership, Nigerian sports development is poised for global competitiveness with prospects of rapid economic transformation.
Rt. Hon. Ochei is also committed to rallying support from individuals and corporations to provide a common platform that creates opportunities for young athletes to thrive, foster a culture of excellence in local and international sports, and overhaul the country’s underdeveloped sports infrastructure.
DG Olopade, inspired by this engagement, highlighted the strategic importance of collaboration with figures like Rt. Hon. Ochei. “This meeting has reinforced my belief in our collective vision to create a viable economy around sports and to collaborate in President Bola Tinubu’s mission to rebuild Nigeria’s sports.
” Ochei my brother, your extraordinary contributions over the years qualify you as a worthy candidate for a National Award. Your contributions in nation-building, particularly the sports sector embody the spirit of sportsmanship and progress that we need to propel Nigeria onto the global stage,” Olopade stated.
The meeting marks the beginning of a robust partnership aimed at leveraging sports, not only as a tool for national competitiveness but also as a driver of economic growth and sustainability of our culture.
The meeting ended with Rt. Hon. Ochei assured the DG that he will sustain the tempo and drive of the NSC’s vision in line with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
