‘Why NOC Installed Jonathan As Grand Patron’

Secretary of the Nigeria Olympics Committee, NOC, Tunde Popoola, has revealed why the body installed President Goodluck Jonathan as its grand patron.

Commenting on the move, the NOC scribe said that there is nothing unusual in the body making President Jonathan its grand patron, adding that it is a normal practice all over the world.

“The NOC has not done anything strange by installing President Jonathan as its grand patron. We want Nigerians to see it as a positive step fashioned to move sports forward in the country,” said Popoola.

He added: “We want Nigerians to realise the fact that the move to have a grand patron is beyond monetary gains. The NOC has just done something that is a common practice in all the countries of the world.”

Popoola reiterated that the move will galvanise Nigeria’s representatives at the Olympics to go all out to do the country proud.

“Installing the President as a grand patron will no doubt move the sports sector forward, especially that the Olympics is round the corner. It will also encourage sports men and women that will don the national colours to give their best at the games,” said Popoola.

—Bimbo Ajayi