6th March, 2014
Adebobola Alawode
Barely 24 hours after being named Minister of Sports and Chairman of National Sports Commission, NSC, has Dr. Tamuno Danagogo assured Nigerians that sports in the country are in good hands.
Danagogo yesterday became Nigeria’s 30th Minister of Sports succeeding Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. Danagogo who was the former Chairman Traditional Sports Association of Rivers State assured that sports in Nigeria will experience a new lease of life under his control.
Abdullahi was appointed as the Minister of Youth Development by Jonathan in July 2011. He was said to have performed above average since he assumed office and has been widely praised for his pro-active and youth-friendly approach before he was booted out of office by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking this morning on a sports programme monitored in Lagos State western Nigeria, the former university lecturer stated that he would utilise all the resources within his power and his experience to ensure that sports in Nigeria advance to greater heights.
Danagogo, a former Commissioner of Urban Development in Rivers State declared that the task before him is not insurmountable as he is prepared to give his all to ensure that he builds on the success recorded by his predecessor.
The lawyer trained player of All Stars of Rivers further stated: “I’ll be consulting with my predecessor because there is no way I can throw away what I met on ground. He achieved a certain degree of success and it will be unfair of me to throw his legacy into the dust bin.”
The former local government chairman insisted that he is prepared to revitalise sports in the country as his appointment is an opportunity for him to serve the country.
According to him: “Well, I thank God for the opportunity to serve the country, I know that sports is very dear to Nigerians, I look forward to bringing the sports forward and mobilise all Nigerians to galvanise and revitalise sports in the country.”
He also said that he would be excited should the Super Eagles win the 2014 World Cup holding later this year.