Nigeria’s first gold medal winner decries abandonment by Ogun Gov’t, Sports Minister
By Matthew Eloyi
The winner of Nigeria’s first gold medal at the just concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Tijani Latifat Omolola, has accused Ogun State Government, and Minister of Youths and Sports, Honourable Sunday Dare of abandoning her despite winning Gold Medal for Nigeria.
Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta at her uncompleted building where she is lives, Tijani Latifat said she has made so many efforts in meeting Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun after the completion of the Tokyo 2020 Games but all her efforts proved abortive.
She wept profusely during the interview due to the erosion effect on her properties at her uncompleted building situated at Elega area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In her words, “I have decided to stay in Tokyo, Japan because of careless attitude of Nigeria government, after the completion of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Minister of Youth and Sports welcomed us after our arrival and he promised instant awards and up till this moment, we have not seen or heard anything in respect to the prizes.”
The mother of two girls, also said she is the only one catering for her childeren as their father is not financially buoyant to cater for the family.
“During the 2016, I was given instant cash of 1 Million naira as compensation, which I used to secure land and started building my own apartment to be free from landlord issues. The compensation encouraged me to go further in my sport activities, but this time around, not even the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, or his Special Assistant called me to congratulate me. I want Nigerians to assist me with anything they can to strengthen my career in life,” she added.
Nigeria’s first gold medal winner decries abandonment by Ogun Gov’t, Sports Minister