Olympics: Obi Hails Echikunwoke, Agbapuonwu, Wakama, Ogunleye

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has congratulated Annette Echikunwoke, Yemisi Ogunleye, Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu and Rena Wakama for their impressive feats at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Peter Obi said the impressive performance of the three athletes and Nigeria’s Female Basketball team coach, Wakama, showed Nigerians can shine brighter in international competitions under a conducive environment.

Naija News reported that Yemisi Ogunleye won gold in the Shot Put throw for Germany, Annette Echikunwoke won gold for the United States of America in the Hammer throw, Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu won for Bahrain in the 400-meter race, and Coach Rena Wakama was named the best Basketball coach in the tournament.

The former governor of Anambra State said the impressive performance of Nigerians who represented other countries and the poor performance of Team Nigeria at the Olympics showed the impact of the country’s poor political leadership.

He noted that with the right leadership, Nigerians will always prove their ability to surmount challenges.

In a statement, on Monday, he said, “After I lamented Nigeria’s disastrous outing in the 2024 Paris Olympics yesterday, I would like Nigerians not to ignore the powerful message from the global sports event. While the giant of Africa finished without a single medal, where nine African countries won medals, Nigeria still registered some positives at the global event in a way that brought out glaringly our challenges.

“Four Nigerians came out shining at the Olympics because they operated in better environments where talents are recognized and nations take themselves seriously. Yemisi Ogunleye won gold for Germany.

“Annette Echikunwoke, frustrated out of Nigeria, won gold for the United States of America, and Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu who already an athletic potential at the age of 15 in Port Harcourt, River state before changing nationality and religion, won silver medals for Bahrain and lastly the 32-year-old Nigerian American head coach of Nigeria’s female basketball team the D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, was named the best coach at the Olympics for guiding Nigeria team to the quarterfinals.

“Her incredible leadership and strategic prowess were noticed. At various times, Nigerians continue to showcase their talents and prove that with the right environment and the right leadership, they can surmount all obstacles.

“This message should challenge us to realize that our poor political leadership will continue to harm us irretrievably until we dismantle the corrupt system.”