The Federal Ministry Of Women Affairs has inducted into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame, the quartet Women Relay Team of Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Grace Nwokocha and the superlative Tobi Amusan, who also won another gold medal in the 100m women’s hurdle event, as a lasting legacy to the achievements of the heroines.
The Honourable Minister of Women, Dame Pauline Tallen disclosed this during the Presidential Reception In Honour Of Team Nigeria Contingents to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham and the 2022 World Athletes Championships In Oregon, Usa on Thursday, 15th September, 2022 at the State House Banquet Hall.
While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising the young female athletes for their remarkable feat, Tallen declared that Nigerian Women and Girls has remained the best for Team Nigeria Athletes ever, with the young women doing the nation proud always.
“On behalf of Nigerian Women and Girls, I want to salute President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for celebrating these iconic young women and men who have brought about renewed hope for our country in the global sporting arena.
“As we bask in the euphoria of this celebration, I want to re-emphasize the fact that the future of Nigeria is indeed women as demonstrated by the sterling qualities of our young Nigerian women in global sporting events, as they continue to redefine positively Nigeria in the eyes of the world.
Likening the female athletes to a mother who would not allow her home to crumble in any ailing situation, the Minister said that they have risen to the challenge of changing the narratives for the image of Nigeria for the best, by hurling in gold medals to place Nigeria on the global arena as the best African Team in the competitions.
“As I watched these amazing amazons embrace the Nigerian flag with infectious joy, to the amazement of the world, I was more than ever convinced that the future of this Nation lies in the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian Woman. If they can do it in sports, they can also bring about a robust and strategic approach in addressing the challenges of the Nigerian State. Women, I should say, hold the ace and must be given the opportunity to showcase their potential.” Tallen said
“I dare to say that in all my experience of Nigeria’s participation in sports at international engagements, the year 2022, which we already tagged as the “Year of “Hope” for Nigerian Women and Girls has remained the best for Team Nigeria Athletes, ever with the young women doing us proud.
Tallen seized the opportunity to thank the likes of Blessing Oborududu, the first Nigerian to win a silver medal and three times Olympia amongst other titles.
It would be recalled that Tobi Amusan in 2022 had blazed several trails culminating in winning the World Championships and creating a new World Record in the Women 100m hurdles, earning her a special place in National history as the first Nigerian alive or deceased to have recorded such feat.
Ese Brume also stands tall and has been very focused she first came into limelight when she won a bronze medal at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo and going on to win more medals and laurels at the World Indoors, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.