Ese Brume, a Commonwealth gold medallist and one of the athletes honored by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), has stated that she did not expect to be named an Officer of the Order of The Niger.
Brume stated at the 51st State House Ministerial Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team, “That was amazing. To be honest, I was expecting something like MFR, but I got a double portion. I’m happy, I’m excited, thanks to the President.”
The briefing featured the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who provided key updates on the outcome of the official presentation of the Nigerian contingent to the 2022 Commonwealth Games to the President.
She was one of at least 13 athletes who received the national honours and N200 million for Team Nigeria contingents to the 2022 Commonwealth Games and World Athletics championships at the State House on Thursday.
Nigeria went home with 35 medals, including 12 gold, nine silver and 14 bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, emerging seventh globally and No.1 in Africa.
The recipients include Tobi Amusan (100m Women’s Hurdle and 4x100m Relay), Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Grace Nwokocha (4x100m Relay); Miesinnei Genesis (50kg), Blessing Oborududu (57kg) and Odunayo Adekuoroye (57kg) in Women’s Freestyle Wrestling; as well as Adijat Olarinoye (55kg) and Rafiatu Lawal (59kg) in Women’s Weightlifting.