NWF lauds Jonathan on athletes National Honors

By Albert Akota

The Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) yesterday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the listing of some of the country weightlifters among the recipients and conferment of national honours.

The president of NWF, Hon.Chibudom Nwuche who expressed delight at the rich and diverse composition of the awardees, stressing that it was indeed fit and proper to confer the national honour on any person found worthy in character, honesty, integrity, nationalism and service to the fatherland, irrespective of class or position in society.

“These fine traits can be found in Nigerians in every strata of society from the lowly to the very high, including security guards, labourers, artisans, taxi drivers, teachers, politicians and government employees. In conferring this honour on deserving persons without discrimination in status, Mr. President has indeed departed from the past where only the high and mighty were recognized and awarded national honours. He has sent a strong signal to every Nigerian that this nation will hence-forth appreciate its distinguished men and women at whatever level”, he declared.

The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives also commended the award recipients, particularly the Commonwealth Gold medalists in Weightlifting Maryam Usman and Oluwatoyin Adesanmi, for distinguishing themselves in sports and other spheres of interest and urged them to consider the national recognition as a tonic for greater service to their fatherland and mankind in general.

He however, urged the listed weightlifters to see their recognition as an encouragement to do more, for the country, Nwuche also, urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to work in harmony with the National Sports Federations to ensure better performances in future International competitions.