Buhari, Abiodun others celebrate track superstar, Amusan for winning gold at World Athletics Championship

 

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed heartfelt congratulations to Tobi Amusan for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.

 

The President joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating this outstanding feat by a compatriot and two-time African Games champion, who in one night stunned the athletics world with her superlative and stellar performance.

 

The President thanked the track superstar for making the Nigerian national anthem resonate again from the international podium, leaving the nation with the excitement and unforgettable memories of tears of joy and triumph; hope and victory; incredulity and belief.

 

Buhari said the legendary career and achievements of the golden girl will continue to inspire the upcoming generations of Nigerian athletes to achieve spectacular success.

 

Also, the President also commended Ese Brume for representing Nigeria with honour and pride, winning silver medal in the Women’s long jump event.

 

He lauded Team Nigeria for displaying courage, integrity and good sportsmanship at the world stage, proving that with hard work and determination, success is achievable according to a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity).

Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday, felicitated world-class sprinter and new world record holder, Tobi Amusan, saying: “This is another superlative record coming from an Ogun State indigene. She has reconfirmed Ogun State’s standard of excellence now in sports and we are very proud of her”

 

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, in Abeokuta, Gov. Abiodun said Amusan’s feat at the 2022 World Athletics Championship, held in Eugene, Oregon, USA  “is heart-warming and a thing of pride to not only to the black race but the nation and Ogun State in particular”.

 

Abiodun, who recalled how his administration, during the COVID-19 pandemic announced the adoption of the talented Ijebu-Ode-born athlete as proposed by the Minister of Youths and Sport, Sunday Dare, when he visited Ogun. “We supported her. We are a state of many firsts. Here is another testimony to that fact. I am very proud of that feat in Oregon. She’s one of our major exports in sports and we are happy to be associated with her”.

 

The statement reads on: “That was the second time Amusan would break the record on the night, improving on her 12.12s in the semi-final. It was previously set by America’s Kendra Harrison’s at 12.20s.

 

“On a night of many firsts, Amusan became the first Nigerian athlete to ever set a World Record in any event. It will also be the first time the Nigerian anthem would be played over the public address system during a medal presentation as the winner of an event in recent years.

 

It would be recalled that  Ogun has produced talented athletes like Modupe Oshikoya, Falilat Ogunkoya, Samson Oyeledun among other who had made the Nation proud until the recent glut on the global stage.

Oluwatobiloba Ayomide Amusan, 25, hailed from Ijebu Ode and attended Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School in the ancient town before proceedoing to the University of Texas in quest for knowledge and laurels in her chosen profession.

 

“Amusan’s victory, will for her, be some sort of compensation for a disappointing outing in Tokyo last year where she finished fourth in the final despite being touted to take one of the medals.

 

“As she walks away with a $100,000 prize money, on behalf of the government and people of Ogun State, I congratulate one of our finest in the world of sport. I want to urge her to now turn her attention to the Commonwealth Games beginning on Thursday, July 28 where she’s also the defending champion.

 

“As a government, we will continue to put infrastructure in place to encourage our budding talents in sports, while incentives will put in place to woo and encourage our stars”.

For his part, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated Nigerian sprinter, Tobi Amusan, for winning the women’s 100m hurdles gold for Nigeria at the World Athletics Championship 2022, setting a new world record in the semifinals of the athletic event and becoming the first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the World Championship.

Obaseki, in a statement, hailed Amusan for the stunning, rousing and inspirational performance at the global tournament and for showcasing the indomitable Nigerian spirit to the rest of the world.

 

The governor said, “I heartily congratulate our track superstar, Tobi Amusan, on her enviable feat at the World Athletics Championship 2022, clinching gold at the global tournament and setting a new world record in the semifinals of the competition to become the first Nigerian to win a World Championship.

 

“A worthy ambassador of the country, Amusan, a two-time African Games champion, has continued to blaze the trail, putting the nation on the global map for good.

 

“Her wizardry performance at the global competition, at the weekend, was a classic display of the dogged and indomitable Nigerian spirit. We are proud of her exploits and are even more confident that she will bring more glory to the country.”

Noting that the victory is an excellent inspiration to Nigerian youths to toe the path of hard work, Obaseki said his administration will sustain investment in the sports sector to create more opportunities for Edo youths.

Also, Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has congratulated Nigerian, athletes Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume for winning gold and silver medals at the just concluded 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

 

Amusan became first Nigerian ever to win gold at the championships after racing to a stunning world record time of 12.06s in the 100m hurdles final.

 

Brume’s 7.02m silver winning jump was an improvement on the bronze medal she won at the last championship.

In a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa said that he was elated to receive the news of the sterling performances of the duo at the event.

 

He said that such winning spirit was needed by Nigerians all over the world to turn things around for the country, adding that the government and people of Delta were proud of Amusan and Brume for their gallantry.

 

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I congratulate Tobi Amusan and Ese Brume on their victories at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.

 

“I was highly delighted when I received the news of Amusan winning gold medal in the 100m hurdles and Ese Brume’s silver medal in the women’s long jump.

 

“By winning the 100m hurdles with a world record of 12.06s, Amusan made history, becoming the first Nigerian to ever win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships.

 

“Also worthy of commendation is Ese Brume’s leap of 7.02m, an improvement from the 6.91m at the last championship.

 

“While I commend these great compatriots for making our country proud, I urge every Nigerian to imbibe this winning mentality, winning spirit and attitude in every facet of our livelihood to make Nigeria attain the greatness God has programmed it for, given its endowments.

 

“It is only such conquering mentality and patriotic heroism that can engender the much-needed change that Nigerians are yearning for.

Once more, congratulations to Team Nigeria and all participating athletes for this great honour,” Okowa stated.