Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, commended Nigeria’s athletes at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, highlighting their perseverance, dedication, and sportsmanship.
She received the athletes and officials, including the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, in her Abuja office.
She also acknowledged gold medalists Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Onyinyechi Mark for breaking world records.
She said “Today, we celebrate not just the medals, but the spirit of resilience that defines our athletes and your names will be written in the annals of history as champions.
“I want to especially acknowledge Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Onyinyechi Mark—who both won gold in Para-powerlifting. Folashade’s incredible lift of 167kg not only broke her own world record but also established her as a two-time Paralympic champion.
“You have raised the bar for para-athletes worldwide, and your victory stands as a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians.”
The Grand Patron of Para-Sports in Africa, Oluremi Tinubu, thanked the athletes who represented Nigeria with pride and will go down in history as champions. She urged more funding and support to be given to para-athletes so they have the opportunity, structures, and resources they need to keep improving. She said that she was proud of the athletes for representing Nigeria and that she was sure that more historic victories were yet to come. With champions like these, she expressed hope that Nigeria will be able to secure its place on the international scene.
The Minister of Sports Development expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her support of Para Sports, highlighting Nigeria’s success in winning around 100 medals at the Paralympic Games since 1960, highlighting the team’s dedication and tenacity.
