For few months in a row , Nigeria and Nigerians in the sports arena had won medals and cups for the country, owing to firm and consistent leadership under Shehu Dikko’s purview.
The recent one was a renowned para-badminton player , Eniola Bolaji who did not only made Nigeria proud, but showcased the potentials of the country’s athletes in all spheres going forward.
The twenty year old Mariam Eniola Bolaji (born 21 September 2005) is a Nigerian para-badminton player, She is ranked 3rd in the world in the Sl3 Category by the Para World Badminton Federation.
She competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, where she won the bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 event.
She came first African to medal in the sport at either Olympics or Paralympics, by winning Bronze in the women’s SL3 singles at the Games in Paris.
Her win marked Nigeria’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics under the leadership of the National Sports Commission NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko.
An indicator of a sane, adequate sports management and administration under the new leadership that had attracted series of victory and laurels to the country.
In a ceremony in Lagos , the Shehu Dikko led leadership attributed the success and victory to the determination of the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda not to only sustain sports , but revive all areas of sports development nationally, continentally and internationally.
While promising not to live all areas behind, Shehu commended the young Eniola Bolaji for bringing pride to the country through winning the streak even at that position.
Eniola whose victory also attracted sponsorship for LA 2028, will further promote Nigeria’s image in Badminton in recent times.
For Shehu Dikko, his short stint leadership at NSC is an indicator that sports development will find it’s high pedestal going forward.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
