By 
By Yemi Sodeeq
Publisher and CEO of Sportspro News , Bayour Issah has commended the Minister for Youth and Sports Development,Mr Sunday Dare for recognising the efforts of sports men and women who have made the country proud.
The award ceremony for 60 Sports personalities which held today at the velodrome of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja saw the unveiling and celebration of Nigeria’s most oustanding sports icons of the last sixty years.
He described the development as an unprecedented one in the history of the country and expressed belief that it will inspire more achievements on the part of the athletes going forward.
“The Minister has opened a new vista in rewarding outstanding performances in all strata of sports. This will remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians”. He said.
The ace sportscaster however acknowledged particularly, the recognition of late Mazi Ernest Okonkwo, the commentary enigma and Atanda Musa, former Africa Champion in Table Tennis who is from Kwara State and reigned as the best player of the game on the continent for 10 years during his active days.
Not forgetting Rashidi Yekini, the greatest striker the country has ever produced and all other awardees, he noted that the gesture aligns with the country’s National anthem which says” The labour of heroes past shall never be in vain”.
Some of the notable guests at the event are Engr. Abubakar Aliyu FNSE ,Hon. Minister of State Federal Ministry of Works and Housing ,Otunba Niyi Adebayo(CON) , Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,Dr. Senator Adeleke , Hon. Minister of State for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Ahmed S. Zainab, Hon. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning,Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, Sharon Ikpeazor, Minister of State for Environment and Daniel Amokachi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sports.
Names of the awardees include;
1. Chioma Ajunwa
2. Mary Onyali
3. Jighere Wellington
4. Odion Aikhoje
5. Duncan Dokiware
6. Austin Okocha
7. Kanu Nwankwo
8. Feyisetan Are
9. Blessing Okagbare
10. Garba Lawal
11. Lucy Ejike
12. Falilat Ogunkoya/Atlanta 96 Women’s 4x400m Quartet
13. Sunday Bada/Sydney 2000 Men’s 4x400m Quartet
14. Football Dream Team, Atlanta 1996 Olympics
15. Emmanuel Amunike
16. Chika Chukwumeriji
17. Davidson Ezinwa
18. Odunayo Adekuoroye
19. Modupe Oshikoya
20. Peter Konyegwachie
21. Olusoji Fasuba
22. Nduka Ugbade/Sebastine Broadricks Emasuen/1985 GOLDEN EAGLETS
23. Hogan Bassey
24. Dick Tiger
25. Samuel Peters
26. Barcelona 92′ quartet (Men’s 4x100m Relay)
27. Funke Oshonaike
28. Segun Odegbami
29. D’Tigress
30. Segun Toriola
31. Roland Ezuruike
32. Mayegun Nojeem
33. SAM IGUN
34. Israel Adesanya
35. Super Eagles 1994
36. Olumide Oyedeji
37. Blessing Oborududu
38. Tompraba Grikpa
39. Chidi Imoh
40. Christian Chukwu
41. Ajibola Adeoye
42. Stephen Keshi
43. Atanda Musa
44. Muda Lawal/Emmanuel Okala/Green Eagles 1980
45. Daniel Amokachi
46. Rashidi Yekini
47. Teslim Thunder Balogun
48. Perpetual Nkwocha
49. Super Falcons
50. Power Mike
51. Flora Ugwunwa
52. Lauretta Onye
53. Sam Okwaraji
54. Nduka Odizor
55. David Izonrite
56. Chief MKO Abiola
57. Dr. Larry Izamoje
58. Mazi. Ernest Okonkwo
59. Alh. Aliko Dangote
60. Chief Sir Kesington Adebutu
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