20th September, 2012
A religious group, Muslim Right Concerns, MURIC, has called on the Federal Government to do more to appreciate Nigeria’s physically challenged athletes that did the nation proud at the recently concluded Paralympic Games in London.
President Goodluck Jonathan gave monetary rewards to the Paralympians and national awards to some of the athletes to show the country’s appreciation of the performance of the athletes at the Games.
MURIC in a statement made available to P.M.NEWS in Abeokuta, Ogun State wants Jonathan to give the best female Paralympian the piece of land which is causing ripples between the former First Lady, Hajia Turai Yar’Adua and the current one, Mrs. Dame Jonathan in Abuja.
According to the statement signed by the Director of the group, Professor Is-haq Akintola, MURIC wants the FG to give all the 13 medal winners national honours as this gesture will go a long way to prove that Jonathan’s administration is not there to honour political charlatans, boot-lickers and court-jesters in Aso Rock, but determined to reward those who toil truthfully for this country.
“The success of the Paralympic team amplifies the existence of great talents and skills in our athletes. Nigeria can still regain its lost glory if we can share the dream of this team that was determined to win in spite of challenges in their way. We can take Nigeria to the next level if we can resolve, as a people to stop and shun corruption, materialism, tribalism and religious bigotry,” the group advised.
—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta