The Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Lagos and Abuja, Dr. Eke Kingdom Chukwudi in this interview with Trust Sports explained issues affecting the Institute, the coaches trained, how government can improve the NIS through enhanced budgetary allocation as well as the 25 years anniversary and convocation of the Institute scheduled for March 20 and 21, 2019.
That are the primary responsibilities of the National Institute for Sports?
In NIS, we train coaches, sports managers, sports administrators, elite athletes and stadium managers. These are our functions.
This March, NIS will be celebrating 25 years, so far, would you say the Institute has the institution met its target?
The institution has met its target. With the calibre of coaches we have produced, I can say that we have met our target. That is the more reason we are celebrating our 25 years silver jubilee and convocating students who have graduated in the last 12 years.
What are the areas of improvement for NIS?
We will intensify our efforts to market NIS. We are rebranding the Institute. We are partnering with Marcomms Communications to ensure the rebranding is done. Our rebranding will be on doing things. We cannot dwell in the past at the Institute such as training our staff, regular promotions, perception management as well as expanding the scope of the Institute for both our sandwich and regular courses in Lagos and Abuja.
In short, NIS fortunes will be improved with the rebranding, accreditation and regular convocations. With the current management and governing Board of NIS, a target has been set.
Between 2015 when you joined the Institute and now, what are those things you have done differently?
When I became the Director, all I have done is to broker peace. There is a regular staff promotion too for our staff. In addition, I have intensified efforts to pursue accreditation. We are also solving the problem of job placement.. Our facilities really need upgrading. When I assumed office, our basketball court was obsolete. Now, we have the International basketball stand which we can use to train to compete outside the country. There are some equipment that were recently procured at the gym. The silver jubilee and convocation is also part of what I am doing differently.
What are the activities that are lined up for the NIS at 25?
For the silver jubilee and convocation, there will be convocation lectures and gala night at the Civic Centre in Lagos on March 20. The award of fellowship and the main convocation will be held on March 21 at the premises of the NIS at the National Stadium in Lagos.
Was there anything that informed the celebration?
What informed it was that, we wanted to encourage our students who have graduated. Anyone who graduated without a certificate or passing out ceremony will just be wandering. We wanted to give our students the honour that they have graduated and convocate them. This will also serve as an assurance for the new intakes that at the end of their course, they will do their convocation.
Once the 12-year convocation backlog is cleared, how often will convocation be held henceforth?
At present, our target is convocating 2005 to 2018 set. Once it’s cleared, subsequently, convocation will be an annual event.
How far have you gone with the accreditation?
We have gone beyond three milestones in the accreditation process. We have set up a curriculum committee that has come out with a standard curriculum. We have invited officials of the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) who have come here. We have changed our curriculum and made some inputs, so we are really progressing.
Will the accreditation be visible in 2019?
I cannot say for sure. We are working towards it because it requires finance. Accreditation is not like an apple tree that can be climbed and plucked anytime.
Asides accreditation, the Institute is working on affiliation with International bodies.
Many times, people in leadership positions usually say there is lack of funds to implement projects. Is NIS experiencing this too?
Funding is a general matter and not limited to NIS.
The government can make things better by increasing the budgetary allocation to NIS so that the standard of the Institute can be raised.
What is the relationship between NIS and the Ministry of Sports?
Our relationship with the Ministry of youths and sports in Nigeria is very cordial. The Minister and Permanent Secretary have been carrying NIS along in the scheme of things.
From your point of view, where do you see NIS in the next 5 years?
I cannot say where NIS will be in the next five years. If we continue to produce coaches as we are doing, I see NIS excelling proper.
