Nigeria: Dollar Rain for Country's Paralympic Medallists

The Team Nigeria London 2012 Paralympic Games medallists have been momentarily rewarded with cash donations in London for their outstanding performance and lifting the image of the country high during the games.

The gold medallist category received cash reward of $7,500; silver $5,000 and bronze $2,500.

Announcing the cash reward at an event organised by the Nigeria High Commission in the UK, Friday in Abuja House to honour the Team Nigeria Paralympic medallists, the Chief De Mission of the Team, Mr. Simon Ebhojiaye, said the paralympians have won six gold, five silver and one bronze medal.

According to Ebhojiaye, this first phase of the donation in London is coming from the National Sports Commission (NSC), adding that President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted to host them when they are back to the country.

"Our morale was dampened during the Olympics proper, but the Paralympians brought us hope and honour and therefore the need to reward them for this meritorious work and pride they have done to our country. Not only that, they broke world records, which surprised many countries as they took six gold and left the remaining six for the world to share," he said.

In his speech, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the United Kingdom, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, noted that the event was organised to pay tribute to those compatriot that has promoted the country and put its name on the Olympic table.

"Nigeria Paralympians has never failed the country in anyway. They have continued in their track record of winning gold medals and other mix harvest. What is unique was that the team broke world records and therefore a course for celebration because of their disability. To those who did not win a medal, don't be despaired but prepare for Rio de Janeiro in 2016," Tafida said.

He stated that the country should learn a lesson from what has happened in this Olympics and plan ahead of time in future events. However he advised that the team should always reach out to organisations for sponsorship and not expect the government to do everything for them.