Secretary General of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) Mr. Tunde Popoola; Executive Director Finance and Administration, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh; Director General, NIMASA Dr. Dakuku Peterside; President, NOC Mr. Habu Ahmed Gumel; Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, FNSE; and Head, Corporate Communications, NIMASA, Mr. Isichei Osamgbi when the NOC Officials paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Lagos.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside, notwithstanding his avowed commitment to the development of the Blue Economy to ensure the diversification of the Nigerian economy from over reliance on its crude oil, has idetified sports as another area that Nigeria could tap into and benefit from.

Dakuku is of the view that sports has a big place in Nigeria’s development equation, as the spirit of fairness and unity, which sporting events evoke, is a vital ingredient of nation-building, just as excellence in sports  projects a country’s image.

says sports has a big place in the country’s development equation, as the spirit of fairness and unity, which sporting events evoke, is a vital ingredient of nation-building, just as excellence in sports can project a notion more.

from which the Nigeria nation can says sports has a big place in the country’s development equation, as the spirit of fairness and unity, which sporting events evoke, is a vital ingredient of nation-building, just as excellence in sports can project a notion more.

Addressing members of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) who paid him a courtesy visit, noted that countries like Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England, the United States and even Kenya are using part of their greatness through sports for other benefits, including boosting their economies.

The NOC members, led by the President, Habu Ahmed Gumel, commended the NIMASA management for its strategic steps in support of the Next Level agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari government, by the changes that has 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 the NOC is aiming for more gold medals.

Gumel along with Dakuku, enumerated many benefits Nigeria could reap from sports, to. Include amongst others, huge job creation opportunities in millions that can absorb our teaming youth, as it is in Europe and the Americas.

The DG, who received the NOC delegation alongside other members of the NIMASA management team, praised the efforts of the committee to ensure Nigeria got gold medals at the upcoming Olympic Games, in Tokyo Japan, 2020.

He told the 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, and 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 of nation-building”.

“Sports play a great social and economic role in our country. It enhances the reputation of the nation, and it can create millions of jobs for our youth, if properly harnessed. Sports can be one of the biggest employers of labour in our country, like it is in America and the United Kingdom. Sports is good for national image and national pride, and it is also good for our own health as individuals. That is why every month in NIMASA we have sporting activities for staff.” 

Gumel disclosed that the committee needed funds to carry out its functions and realise its objectives, calling on NIMASA’ and other Agencies of Government and the private sector in particular to support this national objective for the collective good of the country, as Government cannot go it alone.

The NOC leader commended the Dakuku-led management team for its landmark achievements, including the provision of sea time for many Nigerian cadets under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP).

Gumel listed the functions of the committee to include ensuring the representation of Nigeria by the best available athletes at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and other international and continental tournaments.