ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been appointed as the Grand Patron for the 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Championship, set to take place in April this year.
She received the honor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja from a delegation comprising officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Sports Commission, led by the Comptroller General of the NCS, Wale Adeniyi.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady emphasized that the nation provides opportunities for women across various sectors and that they can thrive through “continued hard work and dedication.”
Expressing her appreciation, she highlighted Nigeria’s esteemed position in global sports, attributing this to the relentless efforts of female athletes.
She urged successful female athletes to mentor and serve as role models for young Nigerian women, encouraging them to aspire for greatness.
She called on Nigerian female sports stars to return home and inspire the next generation, saying, “Share not just your stories of successes and achievements but also your humble beginnings.”
Acknowledging the presence of female Deputy Comptroller Generals (DCGs) in the delegation, she remarked, “I can see that out of the 4 DCGs here, 3 of you are women. And that tells me you have worked, worked, worked, and worked. For you to be at the top, you must have worked hard. When you have been given a platform, it is not just about you. Go on and lift others, encourage them.”
Senator Tinubu, who, according to the delegation, is gaining recognition as a strong advocate for women in sports, stated that she is honored to take on yet another leadership role in promoting female athletes.
READ ALSO: Help People Around You, Don’t Wait For Govt To Do Everything – Tinubu’s Wife
As Grand Patron, she will support Nigeria’s hosting of the championship, with the Nigeria Customs Service representing the country in the competition.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, while presenting the honor to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, acknowledged her dedication to supporting female athletes and teams across the country. He expressed confidence that her leadership would inspire the Nigerian team to victory at the upcoming championship.
“There is a popular saying that when a woman puts her hand to the plough, the earth itself will respond to her. All your initiatives and generosity are unparalleled, and this is a great source of inspiration to us all,” Adeniyi stated.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olapade, highlighted the positive impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and the First Lady’s unwavering support for sports, particularly for female athletes. He described this as a transformative moment for the sector.
According to Olapade, the Nigerian girl child can now “truly hold her head up high.”
Following the presentations, the First Lady was officially presented with her kits as the Grand Patron of the 2025 Africa Female Volleyball Tournament.
The championship, set to take place from April 1 to 14, will see Nigeria host 23 other African countries in a highly anticipated competition.