The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed its keen interest in collaborating with Spain and other nations worldwide, to harness the nation’s vast sporting potential for socio-economic development.
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, made this announcement during a meeting with the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell, held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Enoh highlighted Spain’s renowned status in the world of sports, particularly its prestigious football league, La Liga. He expressed the Nigerian government’s determination to replicate such success in the country.
Recognizing the power of sports diplomacy in global affairs, Enoh underscored the administration’s commitment, led by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to tap into Nigeria’s vast sporting potential.
The Ministry of Sports Development was established to harness these potentials for the nation’s benefit, including job creation, poverty alleviation, enhanced security, and increased women’s participation in sports.
Minister Enoh stated, “The potential of sports in Nigeria is enormous. The present administration intends to turn this potential into achievements, making Nigeria a renowned country in the field of sports.”
He also acknowledged the previous administration’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), and assured the Spanish Ambassador that the Federal Government was committed to collaborating with nations worldwide, especially in sports development. The MoU’s resolutions will be reviewed to identify mutual areas of benefit.
His Excellency Juan Ignacio Sell, the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, commended Minister Enoh on his appointment and expressed Spain’s interest in collaborating with Nigeria to tap into the country’s substantial sporting potential.
Ambassador Sell recognised Nigeria’s potential to become a prominent sporting nation and conveyed Spain’s readiness to collaborate for the mutual benefit of both nations.
