Women have been urged to continue to put the country at the forefront with their impressive performance in national and international competitions.
The Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) President, Engr Habu Gumel made this comment at this year’s International Women’s Day marked at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Engr. Gumel who was represented by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), NOC, Tony Nezianya said the body will always be identified with women because of the laurels they have won for Nigeria and have shown the potentials to do more in the near future.
The NOC head said he was emotional and passionate about the event and thanked Imo State for agreeing to host this year’s event for the whole of the South East.
Engr Gumel said: “I feel very much emotional and passionate too about the celebration of the Women’s day. It is of great joy that Imo accepted to host the event. It is meant to give enlightenment to the states in the South East that it is time to identify with women.
Read Also: NPFL: Rivers United close gap on leaders Remo Stars
“Women have done a lot for Nigerian sports. At the last Olympics despite not winning any medal women basketball team did so well getting to the Quarter final of the event and their head coach, also a woman, Rena Wakama was adjudged as the best coach at the competition.
“In the novelty game played to herald the International Women’s Day celebration in Owerri, Imo State, the women equalised barely two minutes after the men had taken the lead. The impression the men had created before the game was that they would beat them 10-0. They struggled all through.
The NOC boss disclosed that more chances should be given to the women’s folks to enable them achieve their potentials.
“There are a lot of potential in the women’s folk which have not been exploited. We want people to be associated with women and continue to give them a chance to excel.
“Women have demonstrated they have the potential to rule the world.”
Speaking at the event, NOC, Women’s Commission’s Dr Mrs Pat Anyanwu of the Federal University of Owerri (FUTO) said she was glad Imo State got the nod to host the rest of the South East and she thanked all those that made it possible.
She affirmed that women’s should not see themselves as second fiddle and should never be relegated or intimidated adding that with more support, the Sky would be the starting point for the women’s folks
“It was a great occasion with able support from the Nigeria Olympics Committee which had its Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya and other officers in attendance. I was given the courage and the support and everything went well,” Dr Mrs Anyanwu told NationSport.
“I feel elevated and I am thankful to my President Professor Mrs Adeaju Florence and my Secretary who supported the move to bring one to the South East and Owerri was chosen as the centre. We did justice to the occasion.
“Women should not be relegated and should not be intimidated. God has created us and he know why he did that. He said after creating a man it wasn’t complete that they will need helper. The reasons were clear most places now women are leading in everything and internationally it has been recognized that on the 8th of March it should be observed as Women’s Day.
Evelyn Okuofoh of the NOC Women’s Commission came from Edo State while Tony Nezianya, the NOC’s PRO ably represented the President of the NOC, Engr Habu Gumel among other dignitaries were present in Owerri, Imo to witness the epoch making occasion which was done only in Abuja, Lagos and Imo State in the entire states of the federation.
Besides the friendly game between the men and women which ended in a 1-1 draw there was also free medical check-ups for all in attendance.