The Nigeria Olympic Committee through its Women Commission has urged women to be more involved in sports and other walks of life in order to inspire the next generation leaders.
That was the message during the body’s celebration of the 2024 International Women’s Day which was held at the NOC Building, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos on Saturday.
It was marked with a 5km walk within the premises of the stadium, as well as a free medical check up and health talk for about 100 women and other participants in attendance.
Head of Youth and Women at NOC, Kemi Obidahunsi who represented the president of NOC, Habu Gummel, said, “Most of our programs are tailored to encouraging women as athletes, coaches, administrators and technical officials. The leadership of NOC led by Engr. Habu Gummel will continue to encourage and support the participation of our women to come on board and take leadership positions.”
The fourth vice president, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Olabisi Joseph who doubles as the supervisor of the NOC Women Commission harped on the roles of women in making the sports industry and other sectors better.
“We are celebrating women, we are celebrating inclusion and we are celebrating the fact that women are still achieving, that we are breaking barriers and stereotypes,” Joseph said.
“We have women all across the sports industry that are doing well and that is the essence of bringing out every other woman to take part.
“We also want to ensure that we inspire our girls to be great women and we also have male allies that are supporting women to do great in all endeavours.”
A member of the NOC Women Commission, Tayo Popoola also charged women to leverage on the support rendered by the opposite gender.
“If you make a woman strong, the world becomes stronger and we have seen what is happening at the African Games, the women are the ones getting the fame. So when we inspire women, we will get better results.
“Men can be very supportive when they see women striving, but when we don’t make moves, they don’t do that.”
Bronze medallist in the badminton event of the 2023 African Games, Jumoke Obasanmi, was also thrilled by the prospects of what the future holds for women sports.
“Gone are the days when women aren’t celebrated enough in sports. Things are getting better and sports is gradually looking like a women’s world as well.”
