Nigeria @ 50: Kanu, Ajunwa, Igali get special anniversary awards

Sports circle is not left out of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, as three great Olympians and Sports icons were among those recognised by the Federal Government.

Those honoured at an elaborate ceremony held in Abuja include Nigeria’s most decorated footballer, Nwankwo Kanu, Policewoman Chioma Ajunwa and Dr.Daniel Igali, who were Thursday night in Abuja conferred with the Special Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary Awards by President Goodluck Jonathan.

President Jonathan bestowed the honours on the distinguished sportsmen for their various outstanding roles and contributions to the development of the country through sports.
The gesture by Mr. President is a significant and important to the sporting family in Nigeria because often times, athletes perform at the optimum level with little or no recognition for their efforts.

Chioma Ajunwa it would be recalled in 1996, came from a four-year suspension and was nothing short of spectacular. Less than two months after her return, she finished fifth in her semi-final of the 100m at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games on July 27 and then in the long jump final on August 2, she produced an amazing first round leap of 7.12m to win the gold medal.

Nwankwo Kanu remains Nigeria’s most decorated footballer of all times with so many laurels to his name. He was also a member of the Nigerian national team for 16 years from 1994 until 2010. Kanu has won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup trophies.

Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards among others. He is also one of few players to have won the Premier League, and he led Nigeria's Dream Team to an Olympic Gold Medal at the Atlanta'96 Olympic Games. He is also a UNICEF ambassador.

Daniel Igali on his part has captained Nigeria's wrestling team to Canada to compete in the 1994 Commonwealth Games but remained in the country while seeking refugee status due to political unrest in Nigeria.

While in Canada, Igali won 116 consecutive matches wrestling at Simon Fraser University from 1997 to 1999. He placed fourth at the 1998 world championships. He finished second at the 1998 World Cup and won a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.

At the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Igali won a gold medal in the Men's 69 kg freestyle wrestling and made a vow to help put a stop to the sufferings of the children in the Niger Delta region. Since returning to Nigeria, Igali has remained an inspiration to many in his region as well as wrestlers to several international championships.