World record holder, Tobi Amusan, has been conferred the Order of the Niger (OON) by President Muhammadu Buhari. Tobi Amusan received this national honour for setting world records in the World Athletics Championships and the 2022 Commonwealth Games held recently.
The track queen received the OON on Thursday, 15th September, at the State House in Abuja which saw Team Nigeria athletes at the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics Games. President Buhari also awarded the Nigerian team with a cash award of N200 million for their exceptional performance and records set in the two world championships.
Tobi, who is not new to winning has recorded groundbreaking accomplishments over the past few months. The athlete became the first Nigerian to win a World Athletics Championship when she set a new record in the 100-meter hurdles in the 2022 competition held in Oregon, USA. At the Commonwealth Games, she won a gold medal in the 100-meter hurdles, setting a new game record, and at the Diamond League Finals, she defended her title by setting a new mark.
Silver medalist, Ese Brume also received National honour from the President. The athlete won silver at the World Athletics Championships and gold in the Commonwealth Games by breaking a Game Record.
Para powerlifter, Folashade Oluwafemiayo also received national honour. Folashade won gold and set a new mark in the Women’s 68kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President wrote:
“I watched with millions of Nigerians those exciting moments when you all brought smiles to us and our homes by breaking world, national and games records, as well as achieving personal best in your careers.
Your outstanding performances in recent times are consistent with the determination of a nation always yearning for excellent performance. You all, members of Team Nigeria have ignited the spirit for victory in our nation but even more you have been victorious in major sporting championships and games.
I have followed keenly your achievements at the World Championships in Oregon USA and indeed your remarkable performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. And I am very pleased that you displayed at both the personal and group levels great sporting talents and delivered for your country great podium performances.
Twelve times the world stood still as our green, the white-green national flag was hoisted and the National Anthem recited. Thirty-five times we made it to the podium. You all Team Nigeria made that possible.
You brought glory and honour to our country. And today, on behalf of the nation- I say, Thank You!”
Congratulations to them.
