The world is challenged and in search of a "savior". A loan repayment default by "ancient" Greece, could and would spark a domino effect that will drag us all into a black hole and forever change the way we all do things.
President Obama has anchored his tenure on the mantra that creating jobs and economic opportunities for Americans is the way out of the ongoing recession, and EU leaders are dealing with business practices and regulations, and trying to strengthen fiscal policies to abate the fall of the zone. While in Nigeria, like the Americans, we have embraced Job Creation, as our way to "salvation".
The Dangote committee was set up in 2009, and its mandate was to leverage on private sector actors and their expertise to chart a course that ensures that we utilize the enormous AVAILABLE human capital as a key to turning around the economic fortunes of the country. Great report, I believe it should be published and shared with all Nigerians..... It is important to hold someone accountable, and this report sets a clear roadmap to ensuring that Nigeria, not only meets its vision 202020 targets, but sustainably puts its people to work.
Sports, was one of those selected focus areas. The opportunities inherent in the effective management of sports, as an economic activity is very glaring. It is the singular economic activity that leverages 100% on human emotions and physicality. We pay to see human endeavors at its best, we watch the coordination of the body and mind in such ways as to elicit so much emotions for a particular period in time.
Sports has been one area where Nigeria has gained and received respect from the league of nations. Our international peers have come to understand and respect our physical and creative genius in this arena. From Football, to Athletics to Weightlifting, Boxing, Basketball and even the obscure American football, ice hockey and rugby, Nigerians have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavor.
So, why is our sporting environment not organised, structured to take advantage of what we have as a "competitive advantage"?
Is the NSC geared up to understand the linkage between Job Creation, and the benefits it holds to the Nigerian sporting environment??
Does the NSC see that opportunity to reform itself and position the organisation to leverage on the vast amount of human capital available, to support the drive to create jobs in sports, and the management thereof, to good effect.
With so many questions and visible opportunities, I researched a bit and the results were astounding.
- What is the relationship between the "hides and skins" produced in Kano and the Adidas Jabulani football???
- What is the relationship between "raw rubber" and the synthetic jersey of Arsenal, Man United and all international teams jerseys manufactured in China??
- How many people does it take to ensure that a 90 minute football match played in London, takes place in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere and can be seen by over 100 Million people in real time???
- How many people "work or are partially employed" by teams in the English Premier League, PSL, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, etc.....
- In the United States, USSF, how many coaches, trainers and support staff, volunteers does it take to run, and effectively execute its world famous "Olympic Development Program"???
- We hear of grassroots sports, how many Belgians and Dutch people are actually involved in ensuring that on any given saturday, there is will be officials at any sanctioned sports event happening in villages, towns, cities of those countries???
The answers to the above questions will amaze you (contact me for details, if interested).
There is a synergistic relationship between sports and Job Creation. We need visionaries with a passion, to help drive this very lucrative and worthwhile venture. I will be very conservative in my estimation that Sports can guarantee and earn Nigeria, at least 500 Million USD annually.
Creative planning, structures and a sincere focus by government, with the support of the private sector is required. Nigeria can actually leverage on its human capital (especially in sports) to lift itsef out of the current global economic recession, and further insulate itself against future shocks, if it harnesses this critical potential.
Some very smart and enlightened people, spent a lot of time, energy and effort, to articulate the way forward on how to achieve the above stated goals. I must thank Mr. Paul Bassey, Ikedi Iziguzo, Wole Akinwunmi, Aisha Falode, Ndidi Edozien, Fatima Usman, Ebosele Oguname, Dr. Nanna, Fola Oyeyemi, Olusegun Aganga, and the members of the Dangote Group, the Private Sector Working Group of the National Planning Commission, on behalf of Nigerians. These people worked tirelessly to fashion out a way forward for Nigerians.
The results of their efforts needs to be shared with every Nigerian, we have to get those reports out, and circulate them to the general public and ensure that the recommendations are adapted, adopted and implemented. It would be a big shame for Nigerians, if the work of these groups do not see the light of day.
Nigeria, can, and must reap the huge economic dividend and benefits accrued from its effective utilization of its massive and available human capital. And I strongly believe that sports, and the management, can be one sure bet to get us out of the current economic struggle, we find ourselves in........
Oga Jonathan, are you listening.......................
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