Dayo Israel champions sports as a tool for youth development and crime prevention, following key talks with Sports247 CEO Jide Olusola

Dayo Israel sports youth development has taken centre stage as the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader reaffirmed his commitment to using sport as a powerful tool for empowering young Nigerians.

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Speaking during a courtesy visit from Jide Olusola, CEO of grassroots sports media outlet Sports247.ng, Israel described sports as a “transformative force” for curbing crime, reducing unemployment, and building national unity.

“Sports and youth development go hand in hand,” Israel said during the meeting at the Nest Resource Centre in Abuja. “When we channel the energy of our young people into productive, competitive, and rewarding ventures like sports, we are not just raising champions — we are curbing crime, building discipline, and securing the future of our nation.”

The meeting marked the beginning of what both parties described as a “fruitful and forward-looking dialogue”, aimed at building structured collaboration between the APC Progressive Youth Unit and grassroots sports media.

Israel praised Sports247.ng for its tireless work in giving visibility to talents often ignored by mainstream media. He called the platform’s coverage a “vital pillar” in Nigeria’s evolving sports ecosystem.

“Sports247 is doing an incredible job telling the stories that matter at the grassroots. We are here to support and collaborate. Together, we can ensure no talent goes unnoticed and no youth is left behind,” he noted.

He further aligned his office’s initiatives with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stating that youth empowerment through sport will be a cornerstone of national development efforts.

Jide Olusola, also known as Jide-Ojo, expressed appreciation for the APC Youth Leader’s openness to collaboration.

He emphasised that policy backing and media coverage must work hand-in-hand to nurture local talent and sustain youth participation in sports.

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The meeting concluded with a commitment from both parties to deepen ties through structured programmes, expanding opportunities for Nigerian youth through sports and policy support.