The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Adeboye, on Tuesday hosted the leadership of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC NG) in his office at the National Stadium, Abuja, where both parties agreed to begin formal steps toward a national partnership that merges grassroots sports with environmental sustainability and green job creation.
The high-level engagement followed a comprehensive proposal earlier submitted by Dr. Usman Muhammad Mareri, Executive Director of CREACC NG, outlining a transformative initiative to use grassroots sports as a vehicle for climate action, community resilience, and youth empowerment.
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Hon. Adeboye described the proposal as “a visionary and timely intervention that aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and our mission to elevate grassroots sports as a platform for national development.”
He reiterated that the three-pillar framework proposed by CREACC NG—Green Sports Infrastructure, Youth Advocacy, and Sustainable Community Employment—perfectly complements the major grassroots sports programs scheduled by his office for 2026.
According to the SSA, the proposed collaboration will equip young Nigerians with opportunities that extend beyond the field, providing environmental education, career pathways, and community-building prospects.
“This partnership represents a new era for sports development in Nigeria,” Adeboye stated. “Sports can no longer exist in isolation—we must use its massive influence to build greener communities, empower more young people, and strengthen national unity. We are ready to advance this partnership immediately.”
CREACC NG Speaks: “This Partnership Will Shape the Future of Nigerian Youths”
Executive Director of CREACC NG, Dr. Usman Muhammad Mareri, expressed gratitude to the Presidency for receiving the proposal with open arms and affirmed the organisation’s readiness to begin implementation.
“We are honoured by the warm reception from the Office of the SSA,” Dr. Mareri said.
“Grassroots sports offer a direct connection to millions of young Nigerians. By integrating environmental education, green jobs, and sustainable facility management into sports, we can build resilient communities and prepare the next generation for the realities of climate change and economic transition.”
Dr. Mareri commended the SSA for his visionary leadership and described the partnership as “a national model that other African countries will seek to emulate.”
Both parties agreed to set up a joint working group to refine implementation steps, funding frameworks, and activation timelines ahead of full rollout.
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