President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred national honours and given out cash rewards to sprint hurdler Tobi Amusan, long jumper Ese Brume and other Nigerian athletes who excelled at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in August and the World Athletics Championships in July.
The athletes were rewarded with N200 million for their feats at the Commonwealth Games and World Athletics Championships, which was held in Oregon, United States of America in July.
Amusan became a global sensation when she broke the 100 metres world record in Oregon and won Nigeria’s first-ever World Athletics Championships gold medal, while Brume has consistently won medals at Olympics, Worlds and Commonwealth levels.
Both Amusan and Brume were among those given the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award.
Team Nigeria also had their best-ever Commonwealth Games outing in Birmingham with 12 gold medals.
President Buhari, who spoke at a presidential reception in honour of the athletes in Abuja today, said his government is committed to rewarding excellence.
Congratulating all the athletes, he expressed confidence that the success in Birmingham and Oregon will spur them to greater heights.
The President described the athletes as champions, worthy ambassadors, national heroes and heroines, praising them for proudly flying the Nigerian flag in nine sporting events in Birmingham.
”I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and Games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers,” he said.
”Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance.
”You all, members of Team Nigeria, have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.
”I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon, USA and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
”And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances.”
Buhari told the athletes that their achievements helped project the positive image of Nigeria.
”Twelve times the world stood still as our green, white, green national flag was hoisted and the National Anthem recited. Thirty-five times we made it to the podium. You all Team Nigeria made that possible,” he noted.
”You brought glory and honour to our country. And today, on behalf of the nation, I say, thank you!”
Buhari called out the names of the gold medallists and other medal winners including Amusan, Brume, Blessing Oborodudu, Oluwafemiayo Folashade, Taiwo Liadi, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, Bose Omolayo, Favour Ofili, Nasiru Sule, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, Ebikewenimo Welson, Hannah Rueben and Elizabeth Oshoba.
The President also expressed satisfaction with the impact the Adopt-An-Athlete initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports had on the performance of athletes.
Comments are closed.