The Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, on Tuesday, called on sports officers and professionals to fully align with the Commission’s new strategic direction, describing them as the key drivers of Nigeria’s sports transformation.
He stressed the importance of collective ownership of the Commission’s new reform agenda, dubbed the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria’s Sports, urging staff to not only understand the vision but actively participate in executing it.
Dikko disclosed this in Abuja during a two-day capacity-building workshop organized by the NSC for its officers and professionals.
Held under the resonant theme “Reset, Refocus and Relaunch Nigeria Sports Sector for Greater Performance,” the workshop emphasized the urgent need to reposition the nation’s sports system for improved outcomes at both national and international levels.
Dikko said: “There is a new way we are trying to do things. And of course, you people here, our colleagues, are the fundamental drivers of this change.
“If you are not aligned with our vision and not in tune with our direction, then all our planning and talk amount to nothing. We can prepare all the paperwork and give all the speeches, but without your buy-in, it’s just talk.
“We need the drivers who are going to drive the process. And you are the key stakeholders in that respect. It’s like when you are playing cards.
“You have the ace, you have the kings. But if you don’t have the four—which is what we call, in the Hausa dialectically—that cannot be able to get you anywhere. So, you are the key in the middle of exactly what we are trying to do. So, if you are not aligned to the vision and what we are trying to do, it’s not really a difficult task for us.”
In his remarks, the Director General of NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the sector into a beacon of excellence.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Elite Athletes at the Commission, Mr. Olumide Bamiduro, emphasized the critical role of sports officers in implementing the NSC’s vision.
He said: “Sports officers are the drivers of the initiatives. That is why we packaged this two-day capacity-building workshop, to empower you to continue the good work and effectively implement the new leadership’s policies.
“As you reset, refocus, and relaunch into the broader sporting world, I urge you to take full advantage of this retreat to ensure Nigerian sports continue to thrive wherever we go.”
