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World Number 7: Eniola Mariam Bolaji as Poster Child for Governor AbdulRazaq’s Investment in Youths, Sports Development

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By ‘Yinka Fafoluyi

Nigerians, particularly Kwarans, are elated with Eniola Mariam Bolaji’s stunning exploit at the Spanish Para-Badminton International 2024 Level 1 tournament in Toledo, Spain. The Kwara-born Para-Badminton star defeated her opponent, the World number 6, Oksana Kozyna, from Ukraine 2-0 to clinch the gold medal in the women’s SL3 at the 2024 Spanish Championship.

Bolaji’s artful blitz, which earned her the gold medal after beating world’s fifth best badminton player Mandeep Kaur, has equally moved her from her previous position in the world of Para-Badminton to number 7. She has etched her name in history as the first Nigerian and African to win Spanish Para-Badminton International Championship 2024 and a gold medal.

Bolaji, who came into the limelight and had her debut less than five years ago under the Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration, has won several awards for Kwara State and Nigeria.

In 2021, she won a gold medal at the Spanish Para-Badminton. And in 2022, she exploited her enviable badminton skills to clinch two medals for the State of Harmony at the National Sports Festival. Unprecedented!

The para-badminton star won two gold medals for Kwara State at the National Badminton Championship in 2023, won a gold medal at 2023 All Africa Para Badminton Championship in Uganda, and clinched another gold at the 2023 Fazza Dubai Para Badminton Championship. As the year passes, Mariam has made it a habit to make Kwara State and Nigeria proud.

Discussing Bolaji’s stunning exploits in the badminton game is incomplete without the support she enjoys from Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq over the years and his massive investment in sports development in Kwara State. Since 2019, he has continued to touch all aspects of sport in the state, including facilities and athletes.

Recall that in less than two years, Governor AbdulRazaq came on board, he embarked on the renovation of Kwara State Football Academy Hostel, complete renovation of the Basketball Court, renovation of Kwara State Stadium, renovation of the Twin Handball Court, renovation of the Twin Volleyball Court, construction of the Tennis Court, construction of Squash Court, among others. All these wouldn’t have been possible without a sport-loving administrator like His Excellency.

What about Governor AbdulRazaq’s sponsorship of athletes who gained admission to the United States to study? Returning the Kwara State Sports Festival meant to discover raw talents after 15 years of abandonment? Handsomely rewarding athletes and officials who represented Kwara at the National Sports Festival, Edo 2020? Releasing funds to the state’s sports association to participate in national and international championships? The list is endless! He brought Kwara United from the Nigeria National League (NNL) to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and continued to motivate them till they played in the CAF Confederation Cup. To keep their spirits high, the governor has not only been constantly attending to their subvention; he’s also increased it.

What about the achievements of his massive investment in sports? Nigeria No. 1 in squash (female), Nigeria No. 2 in squash (male), Africa No. 1 in Badminton, World No. 8 in Para-Badminton (female), and Current National champion of the Under – 16 (male and female) in squash, Current Africa Junior Female Champion in Badminton, Participated at the National Youth Games 2019 and won a total of 23 medals (3 Gold, 8 Silver, and 12 Bronze) and in 2021 and won a total of 32 medals (10 Gold, 10 Silver and 12 Bronze) to mention but a few.

Governor AbdulRazaq’s investment in youths is particularly outstanding. He’s elevated the youths in the state to become lawmakers and policymakers. Kwara students representing the country at the 2024 World School Debate, also known as the Odham Cup, is a testament to his investment in the youths.

Recently, Governor AbdulRazaq, who was worried about the sorry state of Olofa and Lafiagi Township stadiums, directed the state’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to commence work on the re-appraisal of the facilities for urgent attention. For a man whose investment in sports has been yielding fruits in recent times, there is no doubt that he will revamp the moribund stadiums.

While Eniola Mariam Bolaji receives applause for making Nigeria and Kwara proud at the Spanish Para-Badminton International 2024 Level 1 tournament in Toledo, Spain, we should also give Governor AbdulRazaq his flowers for not only massively investing in sports development in the state but also supporting Kwara athletes including Eniola Mariam Bolaji.

‘Yinka Fafoluyi ANIPR is the Senior Special Assistant, New Media to the Kwara State Governor.

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3,000 Nigerians Join Young Professionals for Tinubu Nationwide Network to Build a Stronger Youth-Led Movement

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Lagos, Nigeria – Tuesday 11 Feb 2025 – In a rapidly changing world where the role of young professionals in shaping national policies and economic progress has never been more critical, more than 3,000 Nigerians have now joined Young Professionals for Tinubu (YP4T), a dynamic and fast-growing youth-driven movement dedicated to leadership, policy engagement, and economic empowerment. From Lagos to Kano, Oyo to Abuja, YP4T’s expanding membership reflects the increasing recognition among young Nigerians that national progress is best achieved through active participation rather than passive observation.Founded in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic transformation, YP4T has quickly established itself as a mobilizing force for young professionals who see themselves not just as beneficiaries of development but as key drivers of it. Across multiple states, its members are actively working to strengthen Nigeria’s economic, technological, and entrepreneurial landscape, ensuring that young people are not left behind in the country’s evolving growth story. With an economy valued at over $440 billion and a youth population that makes up more than 60% of Nigeria’s 200 million citizens, the impact of an organized and engaged professional youth network cannot be overstated.Through direct interventions in education, career development, and entrepreneurship, YP4T has already begun making a tangible impact. In the past six months, the movement has facilitated over N50 million in small business support, connected more than 1,200 young Nigerians to industry mentors across finance, technology, and governance, and provided professional development training to over 800 early-career professionals. Its education-focused initiatives have also led to the launch of the YP4T Scholarship & Skills Fund, which has supported university students and technical training beneficiaries in multiple states, ensuring that economic hardship does not derail potential.Speaking on the significance of this milestone, Alex Oware, Regional Director of YP4T noted that the energy and enthusiasm among Nigerian professionals is a clear indicator of a national shift toward youth-led development. He emphasized that beyond conversations, YP4T is focused on real impact. “We are building a generation that is ready to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national growth. The rapid expansion of our network is proof that young Nigerians want to be involved in shaping the country’s future. The best way to honor the administration’s vision for national development is not just to support it but to become part of the execution—ensuring that policies translate into opportunities for people across the country.”With a global economy increasingly shaped by innovation, digital transformation, and skills-based growth, Nigeria’s ability to leverage its youth population as a competitive advantage is key to future success. Countries that have seen rapid economic expansion, such as South Korea, India, and Singapore, have all placed structured investments in their young workforce at the center of their policies. Nigeria, with an annual graduate output of over 600,000 students, has an opportunity to turn its youth into a global workforce powerhouse, and movements like YP4T are providing a structured platform to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity.Members across multiple industries have expressed how joining YP4T has helped them connect to opportunities they previously struggled to access. One of the beneficiaries of the YP4T professional development initiative, Raphael Utoku, described how the movement helped him transition from struggling to find his first job to securing a role in a multinational company. “I joined YP4T because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. Beyond the leadership discussions and the networking, I gained practical mentorship that has completely transformed my career path. It’s the kind of community that young professionals in Nigeria have needed for a long time.”YP4T’s growth is a direct reflection of its members’ commitment to building a stronger, globally competitive Nigeria. As the network expands, its next phase will focus on providing additional funding support for small businesses, scaling mentorship programs to reach more sectors, and launching policy engagement forums that give young professionals a direct voice in national decision-making. The momentum behind the movement is a reminder that real change happens when young people take ownership of their future, and YP4T is ensuring that no young Nigerian is left behind in this era of national transformation.For more information on YP4T’s programs or to become a member, visit YP4T on Instagram.

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Lagos cancels work-from-home policy, workers to resume full on-site duty April 1

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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has scrapped the work-from-home initiative introduced by his administration, directing all public servants to resume full on-site work from April 1, 2025.Sanwo-Olu had in February 2024 announced the policy which allowed civil servants in the state from levels one to 14 to work only three days.However, the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that scrapping of the policy followed the implementation of the new minimum wage and other welfare measures for state for state workers.

“Further to the implementation of the New Minimum Wage in the state public service and other commendable measures put in place by this administration to improve the welfare and well-being of public servants, Mr. Governor has approved the cancellation of the work-from-home initiative in the Lagos State Public Service,” the statement read.He urged all public servants to rededicate themselves to their duties and ensure improved service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies .“Accounting Officers are enjoined to note the contents of this circular and give it the service-wide publicity it deserves,” he added.

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Bill For Research Trust Fund Scales Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Princess Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, has committed a bill to establish the State’s research trust fund to a sub-committee of the House.Meranda also emphasised the need for tertiary institutions in the state to partake in effective research works for the benefit of the state.This was as the bill, sponsored by a member of the House, Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, scaled second reading on the floor of the House.The proposed law is aimed at creating a ‘state research trust fund for the allocation, management and administration of the trust fund and for connected purposes’.Supporting the bill, lawmakers praised the sponsor and noted that it would help advance the state.Yishawu told his colleagues that the bill was important as it would help drive innovation, economic growth, and technological advancement in the state.According to him, Lagos, as Nigeria’s economic hub, cannot afford to lag in scientific and technological development.He argued that a well-structured research and development funding system would enhance governance, stimulate industrialisation, and position the state as a leader in innovation.He also stressed that the bill, when passed, would touch every facet of Lagos.Dissecting the bill, some of the lawmakers raised concerns over taxation but agreed that the bill was important.Hon. Noheem Adams stressed that funding would help to provide a veritable opportunity for researchers to come up with results that help societies.According to him, when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, “it would have been difficult to visualize that a day would come when we will all have a handset in our pockets.”The ad-hoc committee is expected to fine-tune the bill ahead of further processes leading to its passage.Signed:Media Office Of The Rt. Hon. Speaker

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