PRESS RELEASE
NSC CHAIRMAN HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF PARA ATHLETES IN NIGERIAN SPORTS AS FIRST LADY DECLARES 3RD NATIONAL PARA GAMES CLOSED
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON has declared the 3rd National Para Games closed. Senator Tinubu was represented at the event held at the Velodrome Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja by wife of the Vice-president Her Excellency, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima.
Her Excellency Senator Tinubu applauded the athletes' resilience in the course of the Games.
Her words, "I commend the athletes who participated from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. You have displayed courage, resilience and grace. You have shown us that the strength of the human spirit knows no limitations..As a mother I am deeply inspired. I don't just see athletes but determined sons and daughters of Nigeria who have chosen courage over fear, excellence over excuses and limitations. You are true heroes of our nation."
She continued, "As a nation we must continue to build an inclusive society where every person living with disabilities are supported, respected and empowered, not only in sports but also in education, health, employment and leadership. This vision speaks to the Renewed Hope agenda of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR whose administration remains committed in ensuring that no one is left behind which was further demonstrated with the appointment of a Presidential aide on disability matters."
The First Lady hailed ongoing sports reforms under National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko.
"I commend the NSC Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and his team for the successful organisation of this Games and for its ongoing efforts in repositioning Nigerian sports", she concluded.
Speaking at the event, Mallam Dikko commended Nigerian para athletes for projecting the nation in the global sporting map.
His words, "Our para athletes deserve access. They deserve proper training. They deserve quality facilities. They deserve structured pathways for growth. And they deserve a system that sees their talent, supports their ambition, and gives them the platform to thrive.
"This is especially important because, time and again, our para-athletes have shown up for Nigeria. They have continued to deliver outstanding performances, win laurels for our country, and place Nigeria on the map with remarkable consistency. In many respects, they have been among our most reliable ambassadors on the global stage, competing with courage, dominating with excellence, and bringing honour to the nation."
In his opinion, the nation's para athletes deserve to be accorded ample attention and recognition for their contributions to the nation's global visibility in sports.
"The least we owe them is a system that matches their commitment with the support, investment, and recognition they truly deserve. That is the commitment of the National Sports Commission. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to strengthen athlete development, improve welfare, expand opportunities, and ensure that para sports gets the attention and investment it rightly deserves", he added.
He hammered on inclusiveness to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR's unflinching commitment to sports development at all levels.
He said, "The message from these Games is very clear: every Nigerian matters, every talent matters, and no one must be left behind.At the National Sports Commission, that is exactly the direction we are pursuing. Under the Renewed Hope and Shared Prosperity Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we are resetting and restructuring the sports sector so that it becomes more inclusive, more functional, more accountable, and more impactful.
"What is important is that this reform agenda is being driven by the clear support and presidential approvals of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who has taken decisive steps to reposition sports as a serious national asset and key driver of the economy."
Mallam Dikko pointed out that there was marked improvement from the standard of the latest edition of the National Para Games compared to the previous ones. He enthused that the Commission is committed to improving the standards in the various Games continuing with the next edition of the National Sports Festival slated for Enugu.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa buttressed the importance of sports in social reengineering.
"The athletes have reminded us that true strength comes from the mind and heart. They have shown that challenges do not determine our ability. This Games showcases President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's shared prosperity disposition. No one should be left out. We must commend the NSC for this inclusiveness in sports", he said.
In her speech, Minister of State for Education, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad reiterated the need to concretise the nation's unity through sports while highlighting the link between education and sports as a vehicle for national growth.
She said, "Education and sports share a common goal towards fostering national growth and togetherness. The Federal Ministry of Education remains committed to programmes that support inclusiveness and foster national unity. This is exactly what this Para Games stands for."
In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the National Sports Commission Hon. Bukola Olopade represented by Lekan Abari applauded the para athletes for raising the standards at Abuja 2026.
"The standard of this particular Para Games has been so high. We are not surprised because our para athletes are global trailblazers. These are athletes that smash records at global events so we didn't expect anything less. They have given us hope that they will do even more in the future", he observed.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a trophy to Enugu State, winners of the 3rd National Para Games by the First Lady.
Enugu topped the medals table with 40 gold, 8 silver and 7 bronze: Bayelsa was second with 25 gold,. 30 silver and 34 bronze; Edo emerged third with 25 gold, 14 silver and 12 bronze; Rivers ended fourth with 21 gold, 21 silver and 17 bronze while Lagos finished fifth with 20 gold, 23 silver and 20 bronze.
Dr (mrs) Kehinde Ajayi FCAI,ANIPR
Director Information & PR
NSC
3/4/26.
More photos below.
Comments
Post a Comment