The chairman of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Sport-For-All Commission, Dr. Abdul Ibrahim has sent out a clarion call for all stakeholders and corporate bodies to support this year’s Olympic Day activities, which now hold on July 4th.

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Sports247 reports that Dr. Ibrahim acknowledged that current economic realities in the country make participation in community activities less attractive than they used to be, but he urged all peace-loving individuals and bodies to lend a hand.

Ibrahim further appealed to corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to support the nationwide event through sponsorships, donations and provision of materials required for a memorable Olympic Day celebration.

He urged organisations, philanthropists, development partners and members of the public to support the programme because it seeks to promote national unity, encourage interaction and improve public health through regular physical activity.

The commission chairman also commended the NOC’s leadership, headed by Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel, for their continued support and commitment to continued annual success of the Olympic Day celebration across the country.

Ibrahim, who acknowledged the economic challenges facing stakeholders, urged members to remain committed towards a successful event, and added, “You have always strived to achieve the best. This year’s event should not be an exception.”

Sports247 reports further that Olympic Day is an annual global initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which is staged to encourage mass participation in physical activities regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.

The programme promotes the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, unity, interaction and respect, while also advocating healthy and active lifestyles through non-competitive sporting activities.

The Federal Government has officially supported payments to more than 1,240 contractors across various ministries, departments, and agencies to resolve verified outstanding obligations.

The Ministry of Finance shared an update on Monday, revealing that, after a thorough verification and reconciliation process, it has validated the claims submitted by contractors.

According to a statement signed by Mary-Ann Duke, the senior special assistant on communication and press secretary to the minister of finance, contractors with verified claims of N100 million or less were prioritised in the latest disbursement round.

This move comes after months of growing concern over unpaid government contracts.

In January, frustrated contractors staged a protest at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, blocking access to the then Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, as they demanded prompt settlement of their outstanding debts. The protest has also drawn the legislature’s attention. Last July, the Senate constituted a committee to engage the finance ministry and other relevant agencies on the backlog of debts owed to contractors by the Nigerian Government.

The payments announced on Monday could bring swift relief to businesses, especially indigenous firms and small to medium-sized enterprises that have faced months of delayed payments from the government.

This initiative promises to offer immediate liquidity support nationwide, reaffirming the Federal Government’s dedication to fulfilling its financial commitments, the statement emphasised.

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Additionally, the ministry highlighted that these disbursements will enable affected contractors to return to project sites, pay their workers, and settle with suppliers.

In recent months, the government has verified and processed over N700 billion in owed obligations to local contractors, with about N436.6 billion settled in May alone.

Prioritising smaller contractors aims to extend these benefits across various sectors and regions, helping businesses stay operational and safeguarding jobs.

The ministry expressed optimism that these payments will restore confidence among contractors, suppliers, and other service providers working with the government.