In the just-concluded Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Team Nigeria arrived with high expectations but failed to deliver, much like the ruling class’s recent political propaganda.
Team Nigeria had 88 athletes, including Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili, Ese Brume, and others, but none of the exceptional athletes won a medal for the nation.
Politician and presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has outlined some lessons Nigeria should consider after its poor performance at the just-concluded 2024 Paris Olympics.
In a series of tweets on his official X handle on Monday, the former Anambra State governor said the country still recorded some positive milestones despite the loss.
His statement read, “After I lamented Nigeria’s disastrous outing in the 2024 Paris Olympics yesterday, I would like Nigerians not to ignore the powerful message from the global sports event.
“While the giant of Africa finished without a single medal, where nine African countries won medals, Nigeria still registered some positives at the global event in a way that brought out glaringly our challenges.
“Four Nigerians shone at the Olympics because they operated in better environments where talents are recognized, and nations take themselves seriously.“
“Yemisi Ogunleye won gold for Germany. Annette Echikunwoke, frustrated out of Nigeria, won gold for the United States of America. Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu, who already had athletic potential at age 15 in Port Harcourt, River State, won silver medals for Bahrain before changing nationality and religion. Lastly, the 32-year-old Nigerian American head coach of Nigeria’s female basketball team, the D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, was named the best coach at the Olympics for guiding the Nigeria team to the quarterfinals.
“Her incredible leadership and strategic prowess were noticed. At various times, Nigerians continue to showcase their talents and prove they can surmount all obstacles with the right environment and leadership.
“This message should challenge us to realize that our poor political leadership will continue to harm us irretrievably until we dismantle the corrupt system and enthrone a new POssible Nigeria.”
Hopefully, by the next Olympics, a better system will be in place to harness the talents of our country’s athletes.
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