By Suleiman Yakubu

In a significant move to rejuvenate the sports sector in Niger State, the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development has inaugurated chairmen and members of 32 sports associations. The inauguration ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Abdulsalam Youths Centre in Minna.
Addressing the gathering, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Yahaya Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka, emphasized the importance of dedication and passion in their new roles. He highlighted that the ministry alone cannot reposition the sports sector, hence the need to bring together individuals of high integrity and capacity to work collaboratively. This collective effort aims to harness the power of sports to elevate the state’s sporting profile, empower the youth, and foster community unity.
Hon. Ibrahim Gulbin-Boka described the event as a milestone in their journey towards fostering a vibrant sports culture in the state. He noted that the establishment of these sports associations is crucial for sports administration, development, and coordination.
“Today, as we inaugurate these associations, we must ensure that sports are accessible to all youths in Niger State, regardless of their background or abilities. This includes creating programs for both able-bodied and differently-abled athletes,” he stated.
The Commissioner underscored the importance of physical fitness and mental health through sports, stressing the need for regular physical activity as essential for a healthy lifestyle. He committed to spreading this message widely.
He urged the associations to actively engage local communities by organizing tournaments, workshops, and awareness campaigns. He emphasized that the spirit of sportsmanship and stronger community bonds can be fostered through these activities. He called for the commitment of all stakeholders to make Niger State a beacon of sports excellence in Nigeria.
In their goodwill messages, Hon. Zakari Ndagi Kinbokun, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, and Barr. Tanko Beji, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, reminisced about the state’s past glory in sports, particularly in handball, football, basketball, hockey, and volleyball.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The acting managing director of Newsline Newspapers, Aisha Abubakar, has commended the staff of the computer department for their perseverance and dedication during the eight-week in-house capacity-building training.
Represented by the Editor-in-Chief, Suleiman Yakubu, Abubakar made these remarks at the closing ceremony of the capacity-building training organised by the Production Department for the computer unit staff.
He noted that the excellent results achieved at the end of the training were a testament to their hard work and expressed hope that the knowledge gained would be beneficial and that the staff would reap the fruits of their labour.
Yakubu highlighted the organisation’s commitment to staff development, aimed at enhancing productivity both within the organisation and in their future endeavours. He encouraged the staff to utilise and maintain the knowledge gained for the benefit of mankind.
In his appreciation remarks, Production Manager Salihu Abdulkadir Kawugigi thanked the managing director for her support and approval of the training. He praised the participants for their enthusiasm and commitment, noting that their openness to learning and idea-sharing had fostered a vibrant and creative environment.
Kawugigi urged the staff to implement the skills acquired and ensure they are applied in their daily responsibilities.
In their separate votes of thanks, Mrs. Yemisi Omoniyi, Zainab Suleiman, and Mrs. Joy Amodu expressed gratitude to the management for the training opportunity and promised to apply the skills to enhance the organisation’s productivity.
The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants and group photographs.