London 2012: Go and Win Medals, Jonathan Tells Team Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has charged Team Nigeria to go all out for medals at the London 2012 Olympics to be able to surpass Nigeria's best outing in the Olympics - Atlanta '96 Olympics where the country won two gold medals.

Chioma Ajunwa won gold in the women long jump while Nigerian male team, Dream Team captained by Kanu Nwankwo won the mother of all gold.

President Jonathan made the call on Tuesday after his investiture as the Grand Patron of the Nigeria Olympic Committee conferred on him in a grand reception at the Ladi Kwali Hall of Sheraton Hotels, Abuja.

The President, who was represented by Vice President, Namadi Sambo, said that Nigeria had everything to surpass the two gold medals, which represents the country's best outing in the Olympics.

"I'm indeed grateful for the honour bestowed on me by the Nigeria Olympic Committee. I am happy to know the efforts already put in both the NOC and the NSC to ensure that Nigeria excels at the Olympics. I urge our ambassadors to go all out to make us proud and surpass the feats recorded at the Atlanta Olympics," he said.

The President also commended corporate organisations for throwing their weight behind the efforts of the NOC and the NSC in giving the country a descent outing in the Olympics and promised that such assistance would not go un-noticed.

"For the companies who are supporting Nigeria's efforts in sports, we have good news for them as there will be tax rebates for them," he said as the crowded hall erupted in applause.
Earlier in his address, Supervising Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi assured that Team Nigerian athletes have been striving in their qualification battles and noted that there was good indication that they would do well at the Olympics.

He also thanked the NOC for their onerous efforts in ensuring that Nigeria excels at the Olympics.

In his address, President of the NOC, Sani Ndanusa congratulated President Jonathan on his investiture and assured him that Nigerian athletes will hold there own at the London Olympics.