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Assessing Buhari, Expectations From Tinubu: Sports Enthusiasts Speak
On May 29, 2023, Muhammadu Buhari concluded his tenure as the President of Nigeria.
Throughout his two terms in office, Buhari’s administration faced criticism for various missteps and controversial appointments.
One noteworthy appointment that received scrutiny was the selection of Sunday Dare as the Minister of Sports and Youth Development.
As he neared the end of his term, Sunday Dare made a significant decision to partially close the Lagos National Stadium.
This dilapidated structure had not hosted a major event since the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.
Critics and observers of Dare’s tenure often expressed the view that he displayed limited interest in his role and tended to react hastily to situations.
Tosin Abayomi, the Editor for Nigerian Sports at Pulse, acknowledged that in comparison to Solomon Dalung’s tenure under the previous administration led by Jonathan, Sunday Dare represented an improvement.
Tosin said “To be fair, Dare was an upgrade on Solomon Dalung under Jonathan. However, grassroots sports development was not a priority.
“Football suffered. We failed on multiple occasions at the AFCON, AWCON and did not partake at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“Basketball was a mess in the end, as FIBA disqualified D’Tigress from competing at the World Cup due to political tussles between administrators.
“The World Athletics Championships spearheaded by Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume provided some joy. But in general, sports during the Buhari regime was at the back burner.”
Following Muhammadu Buhari’s departure from office, Bola Tinubu has been inaugurated as his successor.
However, Tinubu’s recent decision to eliminate fuel subsidies has resulted in widespread chaos and confusion across the country.
Despite not making an official declaration, fuel stations throughout Nigeria promptly closed, leading to allegations of hoarding which sparked immediate criticism of the new administration, with many expressing concerns about inadequate or ambiguous communication from the government’s leadership.
With regards to the sports sector, Abayomi believes that transitioning to the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot result in a worse outcome.
Abayomi emphasizes that in order to uplift the sector, significant investments need to be made at the grassroots level.
Abayomi said “The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu cannot do any worse in truth. To elevate the sector, there has to be critical investment at the grassroots level.
“Football is the joy of Nigerians. However, other sports with potential must not be neglected.
“Tinubu is a businessman and knowing the opportunity for foreign investment, Sports is a tool he must take advantage of to resuscitate an economy that is failing,” he added
In a heartwarming gesture, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, has announced plans to arrange marriages for 100 female orphans who lost their parents to banditry in Mariga Local Government Area.
Sarkindaji stated that he will cover the grooms’ dowries and has already obtained all necessary items for the collective wedding event.
The selected girls were chosen from a group of 170, as part of the Speaker’s constituency empowerment project to support the underprivileged.
Sarkindaji further revealed that the Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, will serve as guardians for the 100 female orphans during their collective marriage ceremony.
The event, scheduled for May 24 in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area, will also be attended by Sheikh Aminu Daurawa, the Kano State Commander General of the Hisbah Board.
Alfred “Al” Blaschke, aged 106 years and 327 days, has once again soared to new heights, reclaiming his Guinness World Records (GWR) title as the oldest person to tandem skydive.
With fearless determination, Blaschke took the plunge, defying gravity and reasserting his place in history.
However, his achievement was eclipsed when a Swedish woman, Rut Linnéa Ingegärd Larsson, aged 103 years and 259 days, took to the skies for a skydiving adventure, momentarily breaking his record.
“That was my dream […] I never thought I’d be around this long,” Al said at the time.
Blaschke’s first skydive occurred three years earlier, on his 100th birthday.
In his latest feat, at the age of 106 years and 327 days old, Blaschke reclaimed his title with another daring skydiving adventure.
Notably, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined him on this occasion, experiencing his inaugural jump alongside the seasoned daredevil.
Blaschke told GWR, “If you think you can’t, you’re just underestimating yourself. Everyone is more capable than they think. They just need to make the decision to try.”
Subscribers of DSTV and GOtv in Nigeria have been notified of upcoming service disruptions from Sunday, May 5, to Tuesday, May 7, due to ongoing construction on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
DStv reassured its customers via social media that technical staff will be relocating a facility within the right-of-way to minimize service interruptions during this time.
The statement read, “Our uplink facility will be impacted by the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road construction project. As a result, we are forced to relocate.
“From Sunday, May 5, 2024 to Tuesday May 7, 2024, our technical team will be working tirelessly to relocate and minimise disruptions during the exercise.
“We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period and remain dedicated to delivering the quality service and support you expect from DStv and GOtv.”
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