By Mustapha Habeeb
September 16th, 2024
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Welcomes Team Nigeria with N132m Reward for Exceptional Performance at 2024 Paralympics
Following their outstanding achievement at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where they secured seven medals, the Nigerian Paralympic team was warmly received by Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. The First Lady rewarded the medalists with a total of $80,000, distributed as follows: $20,000 for gold medalists, $10,000 for silver medalists, and $5,000 for bronze medalists.
Senator Tinubu praised the athletes for their remarkable dedication, resilience, and achievements, emphasizing that their success embodies the spirit of perseverance, commitment, and sportsmanship.
“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 congratulate each one of you for making Nigeria proud. Your success has united us all in celebration, and I am confident this is just the beginning of more historic accomplishments. We look forward to the future with renewed hope, knowing that with champions like you, Nigeria’s place on the global stage is assured.
“I want to especially acknowledge Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Onyinyechi Mark—who both won gold in Para-powerlifting. Folashade’s incredible lift of 167kg broke her world record and 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 Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, expressed pride in the team’s performance and thanked the First Lady and the Presidency for their support of sports development in Nigeria.
“Victory belongs to the tenacious. This team was tenacious and dedicated,” Enoh stated.
The team had an impressive outing, came back with seven medals, comprising two gold, three silver, and two bronze, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all Nigerians. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting sports development, particularly for athletes with disabilities, as the nation celebrates the achievements of its Paralympic heroes.