In order to reposition the Nigerian sports sector for victory in continental and global sports competitions, the Federal Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) have agreed to work together for the continuous development of sports training facilities in the country.
The Ministry and the Institute welcomed the development during a visit of the National Executives of the Institute to the Ministry, led by the National President of the Institute, Bldr. Alderton Ewa Ewa, in Abuja, at the weekend.
Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh said the expertise of the NIOB in construction and maintenance matters should be deployed to serve the nation’s interest in sports development.
The Minister stated: “I am aware that the NIOB desires to work with us in the development of sports facilities. The ministry is committed to do what needs to be done. This includes expanding its existing sporting facilities while building new ones,” adding that the involvement of NIOB in the realization of the set goal is imperative.
The minister explained that by collaborating with NIOB, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Sports Development will provide the impetus needed to clinch victories regional and global sport competitions.
He made the point that the development of sports begins with the development of sporting facilities and infrastructures, adding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring that Nigerian youths are provided with the best facilities needed to ensure excellence in sports. He said the collaboration will place Nigerian athletes in a position to favorably compete with their peers from around the world.
He expressed profound regard for professional builders, saying that there is a lot of work to be done, and expressed the importance of engaging professional builders in project execution.
“So, the Ministry of Sports Development will be on the same page with you when we begin to expand sport facilities and infrastructures,” he added.
While he assured that government supports the advocacy for safe and sustainable construction practices in the country, he pledged his commitment to the success of the outlined activities of the Institute.
‘I am thankful for the fellowship that I was conferred with. I recognize that it comes with responsibilities and will not ignore that. I assure you that I will not be a nominal fellow, but an active one,’ he added.
Earlier, President of the NIOB, Bldr. Alderton Ewa Ewa commended the Minister for honoring the invitation of the Institute to the investiture ceremony of the current national executives. Ewa Ewa sought the cooperation of the ministry in the realization of set goals saying: “There are opportunities for collaboration between the Ministry of Sports Development and the NIOB,” adding that the celebration of the 2024 edition of the annual Builders Day is a strategic opportunity.” He explained that Builders Day is a day set apart by the Institute to remember challenges of the past and celebrate the triumph of the building profession over challenges such as building collapse and war against substandard products.
“We also want your ministry to work with us in the execution of the annual Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCPD) Workshop of the Institute,” he said, adding that the NIOB Builders Conference and Annual General Meeting is another platform for the Ministry to progressively engage the Institute in the interest of ensuring best practices in the country’s building construction industry.
He further called on the Minister to work with the NIOB in its ongoing of the NIOB Skill Acquisition Center at Lugbe, adding that the Centre, when completed and put to use, will serve as training ground for artisans who will deliver top quality services.
He explained that the Institute set aside March 13 of every year to remember lives lost to the tragic building collapse in Lagos on March 13, 2019, where a three store school building in the Ita Faaji area of Lagos collapsed, killing 20 children while over 40 others were badly injured.
“On that day, the NIOB advocates against loopholes that can lead to building collapse, and we want the Ministry of Sports Development to be involved in the advocacy.”
“There is also the mandatory workshop for builders which take place n Abuja. It is hybrid and physical and otherwise. The 2014 AGM of the Institute will take place in Anambara State,” he said adding that the Pa Osikoya Memorial Lecture of the Institute is another opportunity for the ministry to work with NIOB for entrenchment of professionalism in the country’s building industry.
