The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has congratulated the Nigerian contingent at the recently concluded Paralympics in France, describing them as worthy ambassadors.
Nigeria won seven medals – two gold, three silver, and two bronze prizes – at the Paralympics Games that ended on Sunday. The country finished 40th on the medals table of the sports festival that had 83 participating countries.
Speaker Abbas, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, hailed the athletes for “representing Nigeria well” at the Paralympics.
The Speaker said the Paralympians will remain an inspiration to Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria, using their lives to prove that indeed there is ability in disability.
“Our athletes at the Paralympics have done us proud as a nation. Their performances have shown that Nigerians are relentless and are not intimidated by challenges. I am proud of you, and the House of Representatives is proud of you,” he said.
Nigerian Para-Powerlifter Folashade Oluwafemiayo secured a gold medal after breaking two world records. Onyinyechi Mark won gold in Para-Powerlifting with a record-breaking lift of 147 kg.
Esther Nworgu secured a silver medal in the Women’s 41 kg Para-Powerlifting event, setting two new Paralympic records in the process. She clinched another silver medal in the Women’s 41 kg Para-Powerlifting event.
Also, Bose Omolayo secured a silver medal in the 79 kg Para-Powerlifting category, while Eniola Bolaji was the first African to win a medal in badminton at the Olympic or Paralympic Games. He clinched the bronze medal.
Flora Ugwunwa won a silver medal in the Women’s Javelin F54 event.