By Seun Adams
The First lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has donated a wheel chair accessible bus to para sports athletes in the country.
While presenting the bus to the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development over the weekend at the VIP Lounge of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, the first lady stated that the move is aimed at encouraging athletes living with disabilities to develop themselves through the game of sports so as to also contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Health and Non-Governmental Organisations, Office of the First Lady, Dr Victoria Ogala, she applauded the Para-Sports athletes for flying the country’s flag high during international competitions
“Nigeria’s Para Athletes have proven to the world that there is ability in disability by winning several laurels for the country in many international competitions. The enviable performances of our athletes in these competitions are testament that our Para Athletes deserve our attention*, she said
Buhari commended the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare and the top management staff of the Ministry for putting in place policies that have mainstreamed Para Sports into its mandate as well as for the establishment of a department to cater for parasports activities in Nigeria, noting that it has further confirmed the inclusivity agenda of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration.
“It is noteworthy that one of the Agencies of the Federal Government that has assisted in driving the agenda of wealth creation for the youth, especially people living with disabilities in this Administration is the Ministry of Sports. I am proud to be identified with the Ministry of Sports for its laudable achievements and its contributions to many successes of the President Muhammadu Administration”, she said
The first lady therefore called on philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government by investing into Para sports with a view to encouraging the para-athletes and those living with disabilities to win more laurels for the country.
While receiving the Bus on behalf of the athletes, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare commended the First Lady for her magnanimity and relentless support to Sports Development, especially para sports.
“It gives me great pleasure on behalf of the Management and Staff of the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development to express our sincere gratitude to the first lady for the unflinching support you have been giving to parasports in Nigeria.
“It is important to know that this gesture from the mother of the Nation, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, in her magnanimity, to donate a bus to Nigerian parasports is a watershed moment that has further confirmed the commitment to the progressive spirit of living no one behind of the present Administration”
The donation, he said, will no doubt go a long way in boosting the morale of the athletes as well as motivate them to achieve more podium successes.
“I wish to assure you all that Para Sports occupies a pride of place in the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the incoming Administration will continue to promote this policy of inclusivity to all Nigerians”.
Responding on behalf of the Para Athletes, Mr. Ezekiel Elisha, expressed appreciation to the First Lady for the gesture in donating the Bus to them.