Amusan who won gold and broke records in 100m hurdles at this year’s World Championship and Commonwealth Games was among outstanding Nigerian sports men and women that were honoured for various categories of the Sheroes awards.

Edo State First Lady Mrs Betsy Obaseki picked up Sheroes Trailblazer of the year award.

Board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen earned the Sheroes Lifetime Achievement award while Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe bagged Sheroes Capital Achievement award.

Nigeria U17 women’s Manager, Bankole Olowookere was presented with the Sheroes Sports Icon of the year.

Coach Olowokere led the Flamingoes who recently beat all odds to win bronze at the just concluded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that Nigeria was unable to attain in the past at the competition.

Other awardees were Super Falcons player Monday Gift (Sheroes Women Football Rising Star of the year), Coach Emmanuel Osahon (Sheroes Women Football Talent Developer of the year, Ruqayyah Adeboye (Sheroes Humanitarian of the year), Nelly Orisakwe (Sheroes Women Football Grassroots Coach of the year) and Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire (Sheroes Girl-Child Advocate of the year).

There was also posthumous award for late Alhaji Tewogboye Oyewole as Sheroes Pioneer of Women’s Football in Nigeria.

Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos State Football Association was decorated as Sheroes Most Outstanding Women’s Football Development FA of the year.

Amusan who won gold and broke records in 100m hurdles at this year’s World Championship and Commonwealth Games is among outstanding Nigerian sports men and women selected for various categories of the Sheroes awards.

Among top Nigerian personalities also lined up for special honours is Edo State First Lady Mrs Betsy Obaseki as Sheroes Trailblazer of the year, a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen for Sheroes Lifetime Achievement award and Managing Director of Fidelity Bank Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe – Sheroes Capital Achievement award.

A press statement issued by Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) President Barrister Paul Edeh on Sunday further disclosed that reigning African woman footballer of the year and Nigeria’s Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala will be crowned Sheroes African Footballer of the year.

According to the organisers, the head coach of Nigeria’s Flamingoes, Bankole Olowookere, will be presented with the Sheroes Sports Icon of the year.

Coach Olowokere led the Flamingoes who recently beat all odds to win bronze at the just concluded FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, a feat that Nigeria was unable to attain in the past at the competition.

Other awardees are Super Falcons player Monday Gift (Sheroes Women Football Rising Star of the year), Coach Emmanuel Osahon (Sheroes Women Football Talent Developer of the year, Ruqayyah Adeboye (Sheroes Humanitarian of the year), Nelly Orisakwe (Sheroes Women Football Grassroots Coach of the year) and Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire (Sheroes Girl-Child Advocate of the year).

There is also posthumous award for late Alhaji Tewogboye Oyewole as Sheroes Pioneer of Women’s Football in Nigeria.

Of the 36 states in Nigeria, Lagos State Football Association has been picked as Sheroes Most Outstanding Women’s Football Development FA of the year in order of awards presentations categorised into three – Sheroes Exceptional Awards, Sheroes Premium Awards and Sheroes Grand Awards.

On the essence of the event, the organisers in the statement said the awards ceremony put together by RSDF since 2020 is among other things meant to acknowledge remarkable feat achieved by women as well as individuals and organisation towards the betterment of women across the globe. 

“The Sheroes Award is an annual event dedicated to celebrating and highlighting the remarkable achievements of African women globally in recognition of their outstanding successes.  It also seeks to highlight and celebrate women who have continued to leave indelible mark in the annals of our society.

“RSDF believes that the giant strides of women and their impactful contribution to humanity, incredible bravery, courage and gallantry should be honoured, celebrated and rewarded in the face of the daunting challenges they surmount daily.

“The theme for the Sheroes Award 2022 is: “This Is Our Moment – African Women Breaking Limits”. Undoubtedly, the women who will be awarded in the 2022 edition of the Sheroes Award are indeed limit breakers whose moment to be celebrated particularly their incredible success story. 

“The Awardees of the 2022 Sheroes Award were carefully selected after a rigorous screening and vetting exercise conducted by the Awards Committee. None of the Awardees were contacted before the screening and vetting process by the Committee,” the statement added.

RSDF is currently organising Sheroes Cup, a pre-season tournament mainly for clubs plying their trade at the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL).

No fewer than eight women clubs are slugging it out at the prestigious Old Parade Ground in Abuja.

Sheroes Cup is proudly sponsored by Airtel, Jigital, Haggai Sports, Ratel Sports Development Foundation, FCT FA and The Women’s Cup.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja approved National Honours and cash awards of N200 million for Team Nigeria contingents to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics championships.

Speaking at a presidential reception in honour of the athletes, the President said his Government is committed to rewarding excellence, no less for members of Team Nigeria who ignited the spirit of victory in the nation through stellar performances at international competitions.

Congratulating all the awardees and recipients, he expressed confidence that this will spur them to greater heights.

The President who described the athletes as champions, worthy ambassadors, national heroes and heroines, heaped praises on them for proudly flying the Nigerian flag in nine sporting events.

”I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.

”Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance.

”You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.

”I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon USA and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

”And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances,” he said.

The President told the athletes that their hour of sporting glory beamed the ‘‘radar of the world on Nigeria’’, adding that their exploits have gone a long way in projecting the positive image of the country.

”Twelve times the world stood still as our green, white green national flag was hoisted and the National Anthem recited. Thirty-five times we made it to the podium. You all Team Nigeria made that possible.

”You brought glory and honour to our country. And today, on behalf of the nation- I say, THANK YOU!”

President Buhari called out the names of the gold winners and other medal winners including the world champion in the 100m hurdles, Tobiloba Amusan, Ese Brume, Blessing Oborodudu , Oluwafemiayo Folashade, Taiwo Liadi, Ikechukwu Obichukwu, Bose Omolayo, Favour Ofili, Nasiru Sule, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, Ebikewenimo Welson, Hannah Rueben and Elizabeth Oshoba.

Reiterating the commitment of this administration in providing the enabling environment for youths to ascend to the pinnacle of their chosen careers, the President expressed satisfaction with the impact the Adopt-An-Athlete Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports had on the performance of athletes.

He urged more private individuals and corporate organizations to support government’s investment in sports, which has been reclassified from being a recreational activity to being a business in line with modern practices worldwide.

President Buhari also acknowledged the many giant strides witnessed in the sports sector under the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare and his team, commending the numerous and sustained successes recorded in the last few years.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development described 2022 as an outstanding year in the history of Nigerian sports, which shall not be forgotten in a hurry.

According to him, it is a year where many Sporting Federations have surpassed and are surpassing their previous performances, while many athletic records were broken.

Highlighting the most remarkable feats, Dare said in track and field, Amusan in a span of 4 months won Nigeria’s first ever gold medal in World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, USA with a world record performance in an event highly dominated by the Americans and Europeans.

She also successfully defended her Commonwealth Games title, which she won in 2018 in Gold Coast, with a games record in 2022 in Birmingham; and Diamond League title in Zurich, Switzerland on September 8, 2022, the Minister said, adding that this remarkable performance has never been achieved by any Nigerian in the history of our sports.

Further, the Minister said Brume, another trailblazer in Nigerian sports, won silver medal in the Women’s Long Jump event at the 2022 World Athletics Championships and a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a games record performance.

Dare recalled that the first time Nigeria won a medal in wrestling at the Olympic Games since 1952, was at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by Oborodudu, who clinched a silver medal to the admiration of the entire globe.

”In confirming that the performance was not a fluke, she won a gold medal in the Women’s 68 kg category at the just concluded 2022 Commonwealth Games, ” he said.

Describing Nigeria as the best Para Powerlifting nation in the world, the Minister hailed Oluwafemiayo for keeping with this tradition by winning gold medal in the Women’s heavyweight category, setting a new world record in that class at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

”Mr. President, through the sporting exploits and excellence of the young athletes before you in this hall and several others not able to make it for this reception, Nigeria has served notice that it will not relent.

”That it will show up and compete for every laurel available not only in sports but in youth development, economic progress, social emancipation, political development and many more,” he said.

The Minister thanked the President for being a great source of encouragement and support to the teeming youth in sports and other areas, saying ”this administration’s investment in youth and sports development, will continue to yield dividends years after you might have completed your term as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He also commended some well-meaning Nigerians and sports philanthropists for keying into several initiatives of the Ministry on sports development.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

September 15, 2022

It was with fun and pageantry that one of the newest financial institutions in the country, Premium Trust bank unveiled two of Nigerians biggest athletes, Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume as their Brand Ambassadors.

Tobi Amusan in 2022 had blaze several trails culminating in winning the World Championships and creating a new World Record in the Women 100m hurdles, first for any Nigerian living or dead, while Brume has been consistent since winning a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo before further medals at the World Indoors, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at the unveiling, the minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the two athletes signpost the future of the country’s athletes.

He also called on corporate organisations and individuals not to wait until the athletes are crown champions before associating with them, they should invest with them when they are young.

“These athletes never relent, always thrive, consistent in their performances,” the minister said.

“Even on the big stage, they knew they had it in them and they never stop and when the time came, they showed up big time, they showed up for themselves first having done the sacrifices, gone through the discipline, because if you have talents and you don’t add discipline to it, you cannot excel.

“I want to thank Tobi for doing that job in Oregon, not just breaking the record, but breaking it twice same night. I am thanking you on behalf of this country Nigeria, we are grateful.

“Brume on her part, most telling moment for me at the Olympics in Tokyo was the moment finished fourth in her race, the only person that could comfort her is Ese, not even her coach could do that, I am happy seeing the two of them here, happy to see what they have attained so far.

“Ese came third at the Olympics, but to us, it was a Golden Bronze, thank you because when you came to the Commonwealth games, you did it again.”

Also speaking at the unveiling, the MD/CEO of the bank, Emmanuel Emefienim, said the major goal of the bank is to support growth hence the maxim ‘Together for Growth’.

According to Emefienim, they decided to associate with the two renown athletes to drive towards enabling growth they put into their story.

He added: “This should serve as motivation to other athletes who dare to be different and win no matter their background, obstacles they have been through to get to where they are today.

“The two athletes’ story is just like the bank and I am happy with where we are today and we hope the partnerships bring great impact to the athletes, the sports industry and the country.”

The two athletes appreciated the bank for counting them worthy to be the Brand Ambassador and promised to maintain the standard expected of them.

Catching them young is a prerequisite to success. At the International Youth Summit 2022 Sports Fiesta of the Church of God Mission International in CGMI, Balm of Gilead City Edo State, Eke Progress Nwakaego set herself apart as a golden girl with four gold medals and was the cynosure of all eyes with her sterling performance

The 15-year-old won gold in the 100 metres sprint, gold in the 200 metres and powered her team to gold in the 4×100 metres relay. She also won gold in Volleyball. Her blistering pace set her apart and when she moved, she ran like a cheetah.

At the closing ceremony, she was given an ovation, with many people jostling to take pictures of the golden girl, for the sake of history.

She is gifted and it is plain to see. The versatile 15 year old started her progress early. In March, she was the highest goal scorer in her school’s football event at the annual Inter-house Sports Competition. That was not enough for the highly gifted Progress, she further won three gold medals in track events. It is safe to say that she is made for gold. Everything she touches in sports turns to gold

This is time to harness this gift and set her on a part of stardom, to represent the country in the near future, perhaps in the junior athletics.

Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Nse Uko Imaobong, Grace Nwokocha, Joy Udo Gabriel, Rosemary Chukwuma, and other stars started as young girls and the result of being proactive is clear

Progress is an SS1 student of the Presbyterian Model School, Ehere Road Ogborhill Aba. It is safe to say that soon, her journey will be “from Aba to the world”.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria and local athletics coaches should seek out this gem and make her the next Tobi Amusan or Chioma Ajunwa.

The Abia State Government and the Sports Ministry can adopt this budding star and help actualise this dream, that of winning gold medals at the bigger stage. The National Sports Festival is a good start

Eke Progress Nwakaego has risen, the golden girl is set to fly on the tracks and her target is to win gold

Tobiloba Ayomide Amusan has made history as the first Nigerian track and field athlete and the second in history to successfully defend a Commonwealth Games 100m hurdles title.

The petite, 25 year old also set a new 12.30 seconds Games Record on the way to winning the event’s gold.

Amusan, the reigning World champion and world record holder in the event also became the first Nigerian track and field athlete to win gold at two editions of the Games.

With the gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Amusan has now become the only Nigerian athlete in history to complete a grand slam of titles at the continental, Commonwealth and world levels after winning gold at the 22nd African Athletics championships in Mauritius in June and the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA last month.

Amusan’s gold has now brought to 10 the number of gold medals won by Nigeria so far, one short of the 11 won in 1994, 2010 and 2014.

It is also one short of the three gold medals won by the track and field team in 1990,1994 and 2014 with the 4x100m relays and the women’s long jump final coming up later Sunday afternoon and evening respectively.

Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games turned out in glamour, pomp and pageantry during the opening ceremony of the Games in Birmingham on Thursday.

Led by the flagbearers, Nnamdi Chinecherem Prosper and Oluwafemiayo Folashade as well as Mike Edwards, the athletes looked radiant and ready for the tasks ahead of them in the simple but fitting white and green attire.

Afrobeats from Nigeria rented the air inside the Alexander stadium, as the ceremony started out with drummer-percussionist Abraham Paddy Tetteh, while Indian classical vocalist and singer Ranjana Ghatak took the lead of the section intended to display the diversity of the city.

At the end of the march past by the 71 countries, to be represented by about 5,000 athletes, the Prince Charles of Wales declared the Games open to thunderous applauds and colourful fireworks.

Nigeria will start off her guest for medals on Friday, with the Men’s and Women’s Table Tennis teams in action.

Both athletes breezed into the Commonwealth Games Birmingham(CGB) Games Village camp in the early hours of Thursday to a rousing welcome by officials and athletes alike.

Amusan, the World Record holder and recently crowned World champion in the 100m hurdles and Long Jumper Ese Brume are favourites to clinch gold in their different events as they did at the last Commonwealth Games they were part of.

Athletics experts and coaches in Team Nigeria camp believe the positive energy and momentum of both Amusan and Brume will boost the confidence of the other athletes in camp.

Please don’t forget our official hashtag…..#TeamNigeriaCWG2022

*It’s New Dawn for Nigerian Athletics Says Sports Minister Dare

Nigeria left her best for the last day of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, United States of America by winning a gold and a silver medal.

Tobi Amusan broke the 100m hurdles World Record in the semi finals with an astonishing 12.12s and followed up with a (+2.5)wind assisted 12.06s in the final.

The time in the final would not be recognised as it was well over the legal +2.0 wind assist allowed in Athletics.

Before then, she had run 12.40s in the heat to set a new African Record.

Amusan has now become Nigeria’s first ever World Champion in athletics.

Team Nigeria would go on to celebrate another podium finish in the Long Jump, with Ese Brume’s 7.02m leap.

Brume won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships and the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Reacting to Nigeria’s late rally for medals in Oregon and the country’s best performance ever at the Championships, Sports Minister Sunday Dare said these heartwarming feats will herald a new dawn for Nigerian athletics.

“I am so proud of what Tobi Amusan, Ese Brume and even those who didn’t get on the podium have achieved in Eugene, Oregon. This is the beginning of great things for Nigerian athletics. This is a new dawn.

“Years of hard work and consistently knocking on the door has yielded the right dividends. For the first time in our history we have a World Champion. This is huge. Congratulations to Nigeria.”

The Minister also highlighted a few other positive results for Team Nigeria even though they did not end in podium finishes.

“For me, these medals are not the only positives from the World Championships. The 4×100m relay teams(men and women)showed a lot of promise for the future.

“The women barely got here as the 16th best team in the world but they got so close to getting on the podium, the men also gave it their best shot and showed they have a bright future.

“Our athletes in the short sprints also showed character. Some of them are competing on a high level stage like this for the first time, rubbing shoulders with very experienced and tournament tested veterans and legends and not falling too far behind in extremely tough situations.

“They can beat their chests and be proud of what they have achieved. We now have the responsibility to continue to support them by creating the right environment for their growth.”

With the World Championships now over, focus would shift to the Commonwealth Games starting later this week in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

“We have gained a great momentum going into the Commonwealth Games now, this will definitely inspire Team Nigeria to making a huge impact in Birmingham,” Dare concluded.