July 13, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was hands-on with the country’s contingent heading to the XXXLL Olympiad in Tokyo, Japan at the Presidential Villa on Monday where he encouraged them to make the nation proud.
It was a ceremonial send-off that gave Team Nigeria the chance to meet with the leader of their country and hear words of encouragement urging them to valour, heroism and glory. Osinbajo did that by asking them to not forget that they stood “on the shoulders of giants” as they venture into their events in Tokyo.
The erudition of the vice President was clear as he recalled the glorious exploits of their forebears that have flown the country’s flag in previous Olympics, with an unambiguous message that “you will also carry with you the encouragement of the great exploits of these Nigerian Olympians before you.”
As THEWILL had reported earlier, a functional component of the event was the formal handover of the Nigerian contingent that had proven themselves ready to represent the aspirations of the country to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC). It was also the occasion for the official unveiling of Team Nigeria’s outfit and kit for the Games.
Representing the President, Muhammadu Buhari, at the auspicious occasion, Osinbajo considered it notable to impress it on the minds of the contingent the memories of “such legends as Chioma Ajunwa who won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics for the long jump and became the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event.”
The VP continued: “The U-23 Eagles in 1996 who won the gold medal for football; that was the team that had the greats; Augustine Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi (who was present at the event), Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Kanu Nwankwo, Abiodun Obafemi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, J boseph Dosu, Kingsley Obiekwu, Mobi Obaraku, Uche Okechukwu, Teslim Fatusi, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, and Wilson Oruma —that was the year we defeated the world’s best footballing nations– Brazil and Argentina and we all held our heads high.
“In 2000, in Sydney, we beat the best in the world; we won the gold in 4×400 meters relay after the American team was disqualified for using performance-enhancing drugs.
“Our team then was Clement Chukwu, the late Sunday Bada, Enefiok Udo-Ubong, Jude Monye, and two other members of the team, Fidelis Gadzama and Nduka Awazie.”
Although the basketball team, D’Tigers could not attend from the US due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, they were a key part of the example the VP was looking for and he channelled it in his speech: “And for anyone who thinks we are joking, maybe they haven’t seen our exhibition basketball game on Saturday with the USA team, especially that amazing block by Precious Achiuwa against KD – Kevin Durant, who is probably the best player in the NBA right now. So Precious, you are the real MVP!
“You stand on the shoulders of giants and with the quality and intensity of training you have received and your exploits during the qualification series for the Olympic Games, I am confident that by God’s grace, you will again make history and beat the best in the world.”
Osinbajo asked Team Nigeria to bear their origins in mind while adhering to the ideals of the Games: “Olympics is about fair play, honesty, teamwork, respect, and friendship. I trust that you will, as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, represent our nation excellently.
“Fair play clearly enjoins every athlete not to use any prohibited substances or to cheat in any way. Half of the joy and satisfaction of victory is that it was won fairly.
“Every one of you participating in the games is opening a page in history for yourself, your families, your community, and the nation.”
In wrapping up, the VP made certain to assure the athletes of the prayers and support of all Nigerians as they compete with athletes from other nations in Japan.
On his part, Sunday Dare, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, confirmed the readiness of the athletes to proudly represent Nigeria at the Summer Games before presenting the made-in-Nigeria kits and outfits to the VP.
As he made the presentation, the Minister said: “I am happy to announce today that the complete kit for Team Nigeria for the Tokyo 2020 Games was produced with a heavy dose of local content.
“We thank AFA Sports (Africa For Africa), a local sports equipment manufacturing company for delivering on the production of uniforms for Team Nigeria.
“This is a veritable testament and commitment of the Buhari administration to support and grow local content and industry in all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
After a year’s postponement due to COVID-19 and a myriad cascade of delays, mushrooming costs, health concerns and other corollary issues and problems that beset the organisers, the Tokyo Olympics will kick off on Friday, July 23, 2021 and continue until August 8.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
