New Perm Sec pledges to reposition Youth, Sports ministry

The new Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Nebeolisa Anako has pledged to continue with reforms to reposition the ministry.

Anako made the pledge on Wednesday in Abuja at the formal take over from his predecessor, Mr Gabriel Aduda and meeting with Directors in the ministry.

He stressed on the need to build on the innovations and foundation layed by his predecessor as government is a continuum.

He called on management and staff of the ministry to embrace change and innovations in order to take the ministry to the next level.

“The only thing permanent in life is change, if you don’t change you become a dinosaur and you are forgotten by times.

“Change and innovations are things to be embraced, positive change and innovations are the hallmark of a successful society,” he said.

The permanent secretary described the ministry as very strategic as the youth and sports can be a catalyst for the socio-economic development of the country.

He said more focus will be placed on youth and sports development in line with international best practice.

Earlier, the out-going Permanent Secretary, Gabriel Aduda urged staff to give the new Permanent Secretary all the support to succeed.

He said a lot of innovations like the “Adopt an athlete/pitch” policy, stimulus funds for the youth had been put in place, that can be consolidated on.

Aduda thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare and staff of the ministry for the support during his one year stay at the ministry.

Anako was deployed from the Ministry of Information and Culture while Aduda is now at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Anako was born on Aug. 5,1964 at Enugwu-Ukwu in Anambra.

He has a Bachelors of Engineering (B.Eng. Hons.) Degree in Civil Engineering (1986) from the Anambra State University of Technology, Enugu. Also, he has a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree (1989) in Construction Management from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.