First Lady receives Paralympians following Paris heroics

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, received the nation’s Paralympic athletes at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Saturday, in recognition of their outstanding performance at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

The Nigerian contingent, led by the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, was celebrated for carting home a total of seven medals.

Addressing the athletes during the reception, Tinubu praised their resilience and dedication, noting that their remarkable achievements on the global stage serve as a testament to their strength and patriotism.

“Today, we celebrate not just the medals, but the spirit of resilience that defines our athletes,” she said. “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 that this is just the beginning of more historic accomplishments to come.”

The First Lady paid special tribute to gold medallists Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Onyinyechi Mark for their dominant performances in para-powerlifting, with Oluwafemiayo setting a new world record by lifting 167 kg.

“Folashade, your victory has raised the bar for para-athletes worldwide and stands as a beacon of hope for millions of Nigerians,” she added.

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, also commended the athletes for their perseverance and determination, describing their triumph as an inspiration to the entire nation.

“Victory belongs to the tenacious. This team was tenacious and dedicated,” Enoh remarked.

Enoh further reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting sports development, particularly athletes with disabilities, promising that their successes would serve as a catalyst for further investment in the sector.

The Nigerian Paralympic team claimed a total of seven medals in Paris, including two gold, three silver, and two bronze, cementing their status as one of the country’s most successful sporting delegations.

As a token of appreciation, the First Lady announced monetary rewards for the athletes, with gold medallists receiving $20,000, silver medallists $10,000, and bronze medallists $5,000.