President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday tasked the National Sports Commission (NSC) and other sports stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria wins as many gold medals as possible at the 2016 Olympic Games, scheduled for Rio, Brazil.
Speaking while hosting Nigeria’s silver medalist at the recently-concluded International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships held in Moscow, Russia, Blessing Okagbare, and her handler, Coach Daniel Esebinimo, as well as Felix, Blessing’s brother at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President said Nigerian youths should be empowered to represent the country honourably in international competitions.
Jonathan said: “Nigeria has been known as a sporting nation, but sometimes we slide back. But we are lucky that we are building up today. I believe that with young ladies and men like Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria will get back to where we belong and even go further.”
In addition to the monetary reward of N3 million for Okagbare and N3.5 million for her coach, the President directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, to also ensure that the athlete and her coach were properly given national honours when the time comes as a mark of appreciation for doing the nation proud.
The President believed that Okagbare and her coach had made the country proud in the period that the country was experiencing medals drought, which had characterised the country’s outing in recent times. He cited the 2012 London Olympics, where Nigeria failed to secure any medal for the country.
“Today is a day that we are all celebrating this young lady, Blessing Okagbare… we are celebrating success, we are celebrating education, we are celebrating patriotism. This is to formerly congratulate Blessing Okagbare and other young men and women like her who have been working very hard to make this country proud.
Also speaking at the event, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan who accompanied Okagbare to the Villa, disclosed she was discovered from the grassroots, noting that he was happy that the efforts had paid off culminating in her competing and representing Nigeria at the international arena.
Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) aspirant for Delta Central Senatorial seat, Ighoyota Amori, has concluded plans to stage a red carpet reception for Okagbare and some junior athletes, who were part of Team Nigeria’s success at the just concluded Africa Championship in Mauritius.
Speaking with The Guardian Wednesday, Amori said the feat recorded by Okagbare in Moscow and the junior athletes in Mauritius must not go unnoticed, adding: “They have made the Urhobos, Deltans and Nigerians proud and they deserve honour from us.”
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