History was made on the August 21, 2019 when President Mohammadu Buhari came up with another surprise in the sports arena by appointing Sunday Dare to manage, check irregularities, and propel a way forward in the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. With his coming about the same time that Nigeria was participating in a number of global sporting competitions, notably Olympic and FIFA qualifiers, and world athletic championship, it cannot be said that Nigeria’s performance has been optimal, and people wandering aloud.
The People’s fears can be likened to a well-furnished expensive structure without fire extinguisher to restore hope in the case of an eventuality. With Sunday Dare coming, the President proved that his silence is presidentially golden with a sense of direction.
When it was rumored that all past Ministers in the 1stadministration of the President would come back for continuity, the thought of many sports loving legends was to seek for any alternate source of joy after a hard day’s job. But surprise filled the air when the man called “Sunday Dare” was assigned to clean up the animosity in the ministry and federations.
His profession as a journalist makes him significant in the field that requires global projection that is timely, accurate, and specific, above all an active participant.
Having been an Administrator and Board Member in different agencies that include the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, there is promising assurance that Sports and Youths Development will deliver as desired.
His choice of selecting aspiring young special and personal aides, having a professional and seasoned Permanent Secretary and formidable management staff constitute a good omen for the Ministry that has taken a new and another purposeful dimension.
The Hon. Minister since assumption of duty has embarked on inspecting dilapidated facilities and structures that suffered lack of attention. Sunday Dare being of the digital world has been fixing the communication systems in the Ministry.
He has also considered as a priority holding of meetings and consultation with Federations and their Presidents to reunite them for active participation, togetherness, close relationship with both him and the athletes and to be ahead of the forth coming Olympics, Tokyo 2020.
One of his landmark actions has been to ensure that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja structures are not occupied by reptiles and grasses. In that light, the Minister has directed that part of his official functions be conducted in that well constructed and magnification arena.
However, the articulate, gentle and soft spoken Minister cannot be likened to an ambitious traveler that will merely be out of his domain for two nights. Having enjoyed nature’s favor and blessings which have reformed his goals, vision and respect for mankind, Sunday Dare is desirous of commissioning projects that will create avenues for success, empowerment and job creation.
His concentration, seen in his charisma and personality, no doubt reflect his main objective of giving glory to the Almighty God for endowment; and also due credit to the Federal Government of Nigeria that entrusted him with responsibility in a distinguished field that encompasses all ages, intellectuals, skills and talents.
Felicia Mammah Okafor
Principal Information Officer
Ministry of Youth and Sports Dev.
08069456745
