ABUJA, JAN. 17, 2024:Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa has reiterated the fact that Sports Development in Nigeria will go a long way if its Diaspora Component is fully harnessed and developed through knowledge-sharing, expertise, skills and investment in the Sector.
Dabiri-Erewa strongly took the standpoint as she played host to the duo of the Naismith Basketball Memorial Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie and two-time WNBA All-Star Chiney Ogwumike in Abuja, Nigeria.
The NiDCOM Chairman described the likes of Leslie and Ogwumike as strategic and important for the advancement of sports in Nigeria since they are endowed with skills and resources needed to groom home-grown talents by way of volunteerism and giving back to Nigeria.
The NiDCOM boss extolled the virtues and enormous energies Lisa and Chiney have brought to bear on basketball and how they have equally inspired younger women.
Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, Special guest of honor at the event, said the Ministry will soon create a Diaspora Sports desk, as a step further towards rebranding and developing sports in Nigeria.
Sen Owan Enoh expressed optimism that the Nigerian sports industry will skyrocket on to a platform that will promote networking and investment opportunities with who’s who in Nigeria and in the international sports arena especially with the Diaspora component which is a huge gold mine.
He commended the Diaspora Commission for what it does for Diaspora Engagement, while encouraging the female honourees, to do more for Sports Development.
Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon Tochukwu Chinedu Okere expressed solidarity with, and applauded the WNBA Women Basketball Professionals especially the Nigerian-American, Chiney (Chinenye) Ogwumike, who has demonstrated unmitigated passion and love for her country, Nigeria.
Hon. Okere asserted that Ogwumike can be counted among the over 50 per cent of Nigerians who have pursued higher degrees in tertiary
institutions, and built names for themselves that have brought pride and honour to Nigeria. He urged them to cause a turn around in Basketball development in Nigeria.
Representative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Samson Itegboje, noted that soft power, through unity, diversity, hardwork and collaboration, is needed to achieve an objective Diaspora Sports Development.
Amb. Itegboje commended the WNBA Stars for following worthy values that resonates within them.
Lisa Leslie, first woman to dunk in basketball, appreciated the warmth she has received since her arrival in Nigeria, adding that the same
attitude is seen in Nigerian Diasporas which clearly indicates the true friendship, kind and happy nature of Nigerians, aside their diligence,
industry and high moral values.
She said basketball has impacted so much for her and had paved way to push for fairness and equity for women in the game, in terms of number, ethnicity and other factors. The American former WNBA player understands that the youth are the future and they are passionately driven to help the youths in sports development.
Chiney Ogwumike, super excited to be back home, commended Hon Dabiri-Erewa and the NIDCOM Management and Staff, for the well thought-out honour accorded them and promised to give back to her country, Nigeria by catalysing Basketball development in Nigeria.
As a recent appointee, although the youngest, among the US President’s Cabinet, the Nigeria-American Diaspora Basketballer and Broadcaster said she is very passionate about sports development especially as it concerns Basketball.
She agreed that sports, like the oil and gas industry, needed to be diversified which is why she is bringing in skills and expertise towards growing basketball, especially for Women in Nigeria.
Vice President, NBA Africa and Country Head, NBA Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu, informed the audience that 50 out of the 120 basketballers of African descent are Nigerians, playing for US basketball teams; which is one of the reasons the Association established its African branch.
According to her, taking this step will help produce more local talents that will become the next Michael Jordans, Lisa Leslies or Chiney Ogwumikes in the American teams.
