Glorious Paralympic Team Receives Heroic Welcome from SSAP Abba Isa

 

By Yusuf Mohammed Lawan, September, 16th, 2024

Following their magnificent performances in the just concluded Paris 2024 Para Games in France, an outstanding performance which raised Nigeria's prestige in the eyes of the world, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, has on Saturday, played host to  the triumphant Nigerian Paralympic team to a grand reception in Abuja, as part of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu's total commitment to celebrating outstanding national service to the country.

While commending the invaluable contributions of all Nigerians especially the Ministry of sports Development, entire crew  members and officials  of the Nigerian Paralympics team, supporters and sports loving Nigerians whose collective contributions led to the amazing success recorded by the Nigerian Paralympics team in France, the senior presidential aide praised the doggedness and unusual dedication demonstrated by the Paralympics team throughout the tournament.

"The level of  determination and resilience to achieve great success demonstrated by our gallant sportsmen and women in spite of their disabilty status have proven beyond reasonable doubt that indeed there is ability in disability"

"This remarkable achievement recorded by you symbolizes our common and  upholding spirit  which binds the  persons with disabilities together as a distinct entity" 

The presidential aide emphaaized  the  President  Tinubu's commitment advocating the well-being and empowerment of PWDs and promoting their inclusion in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.

He said, " my office will continue to partner with the Nigerian Paralympic Committee, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other established sports institutions within and outside the country to create more sporting opportunities for PWDs in Nigeria "

Hon. Abba also used the opportunity availed him by the occasion to assure the Paralympians on his plans to honor them  as Ambassadors of the Beyond Disability Project in the coming days, as part of his version of the president Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda's  plan towards empowering dedicated, committed and  talented PWDs in the country.

The presidential aide also promised to recommend the triumphant Paralympians  to President Tinubu for National Honours as a means of compensating the roles they played leading to promoting Nigeria's prestige in the eyes of the world through sports.

Corroborating the  earlier position of the SSAP,  the National Coordinator of Beyond Disability Project, Mr. Stephen Rodstick, expressed immense commendations to  the athletes for the gallant sprit they demonstrated in Paris. Stressing that the athletes had  done an unforgettable service  to the nation that can not be erased in the sand of history, noting that with the Beyond Disability Project in place, the future would no doubt be bright for the disability community in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Honorable Minister of Sports Development who was ably  represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr. Oladipupo Idowu, assured the athletes of the ministry's continued support. He expressed immense appreciation to Hon. Abba Isa for organizing such a historic event which aimed at celebrating the success recorded by the paralympians. 

Other speakers who spoke during the reception Ability News reports including the  President of the Nigerian Paralympic Committee, Mr. Sunday Odebode, who listed the accolades won by the Nigerian Paralympics team which according to him include winning of two gold, three silver, and two bronze medals during the tournament. The  team captain Ms. Oluwafemiayo Folashade, also heaped praises on Hon. Abba Isa for hosting the reception and expressed gratitude to  the Ministry of Sports Development for the constant  support to the team. Assuring that the team would continue to the country proud in the future.

According to reports gathered by the Ability News Network, the Nigerian contingents' excellent  performance has resulted in the winning of a total of  seven medal which can be summed up into two gold, three silvers and two bronze medals. Those who won various medals in the major tournament include the team captain, Folashade Oluwafemiayo who made history by breaking a  world record in the women’s over 86kg Para-Powerlifting category, lifting 167kg to clinch the coveted gold medal for Nigeria. Also on the scoring chart was Onyinyechi Mark who won the  first ever  gold medal in the Para-Powerlifting finals. 

Others are; Esther Nworgu who smiled home with a  silver medal  in the women’s 41kg Para-Powerlifting event. Followed by Eniola Bolaji who brought home  a bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event, then Flora Ugwunwa lifted the  silver medal for Nigeria in the women’s javelin F54 final, just as  Isau Ogunkunle and Bose Omolayo secured a bronze and silver  medals for Nigeria in the  Para-Table Tennis and 79kg Para-Powerlifting category  respectively.

A major takeaway from the historic reception Ability News Network understands include  the gifting  of awards to the Paralympians be to decorate them honorary Ambassadors for  Beyond Disability Project, this is followed by  the decoration of Paralympics team officials with medals as well as presentation of award of Excellent Leadership to Hon. Minister of Sports Development, Ability News Network reports.