By Amaechi Agbo
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has hailed the performance of Team Nigeria, following their impressive performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England
President Buhari’s message was contained in a press release by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina on Sunday.
According to the statement, the President joined millions of other sports-loving Nigerians to watch some of the colourful and spectacular moments in the 11-day competition, which had no fewer than 5,000 athletes representing 72 nations and territories, competing in 280 medal events.
Buhari commended the 94 athletes that represented the country.
‘‘We are proud of these achievements and the memories will linger with the nation forever. For me, this is a special moment and a fitting parting gift, being my last Commonwealth Games as Head of State,’’ the statement read.
With 35 medals, including 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze, Nigeria recorded the best-ever outing at the Commonwealth Games, surpassing the 1994 record of 11 gold medals in Victoria.
The President also lauded the coaching crew and team officials for their passion for the development of sports in the country, assuring them that history would remember them for all their contributions to making the athletes shine on the international stage.
Meanwhile, the minister of youth and sports development, Mr Sunday Dare has congratulated Team Nigeria for recording the “country’s best performance ever” at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
After recording 35 medals, the Nigerian team also finished as the best-ranked African country on the medals table, placing 7th.
Dare described Team Nigeria’s performance as “excellent, inspirational, phenomenal, commendable and commanding”.
“This is a performance like no other as many new records were set and old records broken, while long standing jinx of not getting on the podium in some sports was destroyed,” he said.
“This signposts a brighter and better future for Nigerian sports development.”
The minister assured the Nigerian team of a presidential reception at a date to be announced soon.
Dare added that their performance was appreciated by the entire Nigerians.
Wale Tinubu, the group chief executive of Oando Plc, also announced that his company would give cash rewards to all the Team Nigeria medalists at the games.
“Oando will match whatever cash reward is already in place for the athletes by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development,” Tinubu said on Monday
This implies that gold medal winners will get another $5,000 each; silver medal $3,000, and bronze medal $2,000 from the oil company.
With the XXII Commonwealth Games coming to an end in England on Monday, August 8, below is a complete list of the winners and their sports events:
Weightlifting
1.Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (Gold, Women’s 55kg).
2. Edidiong Joseph Umaofia (Bronze, Men’s 67kg).
3. Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (Gold, Women’s 59kg)
4. Islamiyat Yusuf (Bronze, Women’s 64kg).
5. Taiwo Laidi (Silver, Women’s 76kg).
6. Mary Taiwo Osijo (Bronze, Women’s 87kg)
Athletics
7. Chioma Onyekwere (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw).
8. Obiageri Amaechi (Bronze, Women’s Discus Throw).
9. Favour Ofili (Silver, Women’s 200m).
10. Amusan Tobi (Gold, Women’s 100m Hurdles).
11. Onwuzurike Udodi Chudi, Ashe Favour Oghene Tejiri, Akintola Alaba Olukunle, Ekevwo Raymond (Bronze Medal, Men’s 4 x 100m).
15. Amusan Tobi, Ofili Favour, Chukwuma Rosemary, Nwokocha Nzubechi Grace, Udo Joy Gabriel Chinenye (Gold, Women’s 4 x 100m).
20. Ese Brume (Gold, Women’s Long Jump)
Para-Athletics
21. Goodness Chiemere Nwachukwu (Gold, Women’s Discus Throw F 42-44/61-64).
22. Eucharia Njideka Iyiazi (Gold, Women’s F55 – 57 Shot Put).
23. Ugochi Constaine Alam (Bronze, Women’s F55 – 57 Shot Put).
Powerlifting
24. Alice Folashade Oluwafemiayo (Gold, Women’s Heavyweight).
25. Bose Patricia Omolayo (Silver, Women’s Heavyweight).
26. Ikechukwu Christian Obichukwu (Silver, Men’s Heavyweight).
27. Innocent Nnamdi (Bronze, Men’s Lightweight).
Wrestling
28. Adekuoroye Odunayo (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 57kg)
29. Kolawole Esther (Bronze, Women’s Freestyle 62kg).
30. Oborodudu Blessing (Gold, Women’s Freestyle 68kg).
31. Genesis Mercy (Gold, Women’s Freestyle, 50kg).
32. Wilson Ebikewemino (Silver, Men’s Freestyle 57kg).
33. Hannah Reuben (Silver, Women’s Freestyle 76kg).
34. John Ogbonna Emmanuel (Bronze, Men’s Freestyle 74kg).
Para-Table Tennis
35. Ikpeoyi Ifechukwude Christiana (Silver, Women’s Singles Classes 3-5).
36. Sule Nasiru (Silver, Men’s Singles Classes 3-5).
37. Ogunkunle Isau (Bronze, Men’s Singles Classes 3-5).
38. Obazuaye Faith (Bronze, Women’s Singles Classes 6-
10).
Boxing
39. Onyekwere Ifeanyi (Bronze, Men’s over 92kg Super Heavy
Weight).
40. Umunnake Jacinta (Bronze, Women’s 75kg).
41. Ogunsemilore Cynthia (Bronze, Women’s over 57kg-60kg, Light Weight).
42. Oshoba Elizabeth (Silver, Over 54kg-57kg, Featherweight)
Team Nigeria made up of 94 athletes and 21 officials are expected back to Nigeria on Tuesday.
