President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that the Paralympic team that won medals for Nigeria at the just concluded games in London be brought to Abuja and accorded a special reception on Saturday.
The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who disclosed this to state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, said that equally to be accorded a special reception are the members of the Falconets, who also did Nigeria proud at the female world cup competition in Japan.
“The president has already sent special commendation to the team and all Nigerians are very proud of their performance in London. It has indeed wiped away our tears from the performance of the able bodied Olympic team,” Mr Maku said.
The Minister said the performance of the Paralympic team shows that there is talent in everyone.
“The message the Paralympic team has shown Nigerians is that we need greater passion in the things we do. If I look at the faces of those athletes during the competition and you look at their total absorption and interest and passion and commitment to the national flag throughout the tournament, you could see that there is a big difference in terms of their desire and commitment to win.
“Let me also say that the performance of this team tells us that every citizen is important and that there could be greater talent in the physically challenged than those of us who will always think that we are physically abled,” he said.
The minister said he believes that as President Jonathan receives the team on Saturday “the signal will clearly go to all Nigerians that no matter your physical challenges you can give this country greater honour; greater contribution to its development than any other citizen.”
There were angry reactions on Tuesday following the low profile reception accorded the triumphant Paralympics team when they arrived the country after winning a total of six gold medals in the London Olympics event.
The athletes, who were transported home by their various federation buses, said they should be accorded same respect and recognition as their able bodied counterparts.
Nigeria finished 22nd position in the overall medal table with a total of 13 medals comprising six gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
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