Sports

First Lady Donates Wheelchair Accessible Bus To Para Sports Athletes

Published

4 years ago

March 24, 2023

The First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Buhari on Friday donated a wheelchair accessible bus to para sports athletes.

The bus was presented to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at a ceremony held at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

The Nigeria First Lady, who was represented by her Special Adviser on health, Dr Victoria Ogala, while presenting the bus to the Sport Minister said the achievements of para athletes in various sports drew her attention to them and she decided that donating the bus to them would ease their movement and make them more comfortable, encouraging well-meaning Nigerians to toe the same line of benevolence.

Her words: “First and foremost, Nigerian Paralympians in all categories have proven to the world that there is ability in disability. I wish to congratulate the Honourable Minister of Sports for putting in place policies that put para-sports in the mainstream. These achievements have further confirmed the flexibility of the President Muhammadu Buhari adminstration.

“It is noteworthy that one of the agencies of the Federal government that has assisted in driving the agenda of wealth creation for youth, especially people living with disability, in this adminstration is the Ministry of Sports. I am proud to be identified with the Ministry of Sports for its laudable achievements and its contribution to the many successes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration,” She said.

In his own remarks, the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare was happy with the donation stating that the gesture will go a long way in encouraging the athletes to win more medals for the country.

“This epoch-making event marks yet another era in the annals of the history of sports development in Nigeria.

“As you are aware, sports in Nigeria is an enviable endeavour that has been employed as a veritable tool for national unity, cohesion, peace, progress and international diplomacy. Since the inception of this present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), there has been a paradigm shift in the management of the sports sector. It is imperative to inform you that another parameter to measure the commitment of the Federal Government to the sector was the establishment of a new Department known as National Sports Festival and Para Sports to oversee and coordinate para sports in Nigeria.

“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Management and Staff of Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to express our sincere gratitude to Her Excellency for the unflinching support you have been giving to Para Sports in Nigeria.

“It is important to note that this gesture from the mother of the nation, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, in her magnanimity, to donate a Bus to Nigeria Para Sports is a watershed moment that has further confirmed the commitment to the progressive spirit of ‘leaving no one behind’ of the present administration.

“It is on record that Para Athletes have done Nigeria proud in many of their competitions and won a number of laurels that would not be forgotten in a hurry.

“The donation will no doubt boost the morale of the Athletes as well as motivate them to achieve more podium success. I wish to assure you all that para sports occupy the pride of place in the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the in-coming Administration will continue to promote this policy of inclusivity to all Nigerians.

“It is noteworthy that the passion of the First Lady for Para-sports also made her to sponsor the last 2019 World Para Powerlifting Championship held here in Abuja, Nigeria,” Dare concluded.

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Sports

Flamingos’ Historic World Cup Feat Draws Musawa’s Commendation

Published

21 hours ago

November 8, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, following their historic triumph at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.

The Flamingos defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat to claim Nigeria’s first title in the competition and make history as the first African nation to win the tournament.

Awawu Bashiru gave Nigeria the lead in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku extended the advantage two minutes after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Nigerian girls held on to secure a memorable victory.

In a congratulatory message was signed by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze on Sunday in Abuja, Musawa described the achievement as a defining moment for Nigeria and a significant milestone for African women’s football, attributing the success to the team’s resilience, talent and determination.

“This is more than a trophy. It is a story of young Nigerian girls who refused to give up, who rose after defeat, and who carried the hopes of a continent to the top of the world,” she said.

The Minister noted that the Flamingos had broken new ground by becoming the first African team to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Nigeria also became the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s U-17 World Cup titles.

The team further achieved another remarkable feat by becoming the first side in the competition’s history to lose its opening match and eventually emerge champions.

Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to Poland in their opening group-stage encounter, the Flamingos recovered impressively, recording six consecutive victories to lift the trophy.

Musawa particularly praised Umejiaku, who claimed the tournament’s Golden Ball award as the best player, and Bashiru for their crucial contributions in the final.

She also commended the entire squad for their discipline, teamwork and determination throughout the competition.

According to her, the victory demonstrates the creativity, courage and excellence of Nigerian youths on the global stage.

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to celebrating and promoting the achievements and inspiring stories of young Nigerians who continue to bring honour to the country.

“Our girls have shown the world what Nigeria is made of. We celebrate you today, and we will continue to stand with you,” she added.

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