Ex-Ministers, WOA President, Phillip Shaibu, Others Thumb Up NOA Summits

Ex-Ministers, WOA President, Phillip Shaibu, Others Thumb Up NOA Summits

By Niyi Busari

The two ex-ministers of Sports, Solomon Dalung and Sunday Dare, President, World Olympians Association (WOA), Joel Bouzou OLY, Deputy Governor Edo State, Phillip Shaibu, Oba Elegushi, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) President, Habu Gumel have commended and thumbed up the 2023 Nigeria Olympians Association (NOA) Summits.

The Second edition of the Summit which was held on Thursday night in Abuja saw 62 Nigeria Olympians from all walks of life present at the occasion. 

Speaking during the interview after the receipt of award, Edo State Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu who gave kudos to the organisers said the Olympians reunion met his expectation adding that those behind it deserved a pat in the back. "It is a well organised event and an opportunity to meet with honourable men women who have represented Nigeria at the Olympics. In fact, I am shocked at the wonderful organisation of the event. I want to also appreciate them for identifying with what I have done for the development of sports in Edo State.

Sandrine Billet, OLY, who represented the WOA President scored the NOA high and described it as one of the best Olympians Association Summit she had attended. She however encouraged the Association to make it an annual event. This according to her will foster the relationship among all Nigeria Olympians across the world. 

Immediate past Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare who was represented by Olumide Bamiduro said putting up an event to recognise and award those who laboured hard for the country's image is worthy of emulation by other well-meaning Nigerians. On his part, Solomon Dalung who presented award to the Deputy Governor Edo State appreciated those who came up with the idea of rewarding, recognising and awarding 'our heroes past.

The two day event started with the Association holding her Congress on Wednesday at the Media Centre, Moshood Abiola Stadium before embarking on Mentoring session at the Africa International College Abuja.

In his opening remark, the President, Nigeria Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji said the Summit is a platform that allows all the Nigeria Olympians to come together from all walks of life, all over Nigeria, from USA, UK, Canada, Germany to brainstorm in a room to discuss the welfare of Nigerian athletes, both past and the present, the state of affairs of Nigerian sports, with a bid to inspire the young ones.

"We gathered together to brainstorm and more importantly to honour those that have contributed to sports development either as Olympians or members of the Sports Family. 

Themed, 'The Labour of Our Heroes Past', in the last edition we honoured the following Olympians, Julius Chigbolu, Titus Erinle, Muslim Arogundade, and others who had represented Nigeria at the Olympics in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

The 2023 recipients are also worth their weight in gold and were duly recognised and awarded. We just have to celebrate ourselves, oat ourselves on the back in encouragement and love for the sacrifices, pains, setbacks, and challenges we faced as elite athletes in our quest to fly the Nigeria flag and bring honour to our fatherland." The president concluded.

At the 2023 Nigeria Olympians Association Summit in Abuja, 22 personalities received awards among which 16 are Olympians while other six are individuals who have contributed to the development of sports in Nigeria.