First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has emerged as the Grand Patron for 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Championship holding n Nigeria in April this year.
The 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship will be hosted by Nigeria, with the Nigeria Customs Service flying the flag of the nation.
A statement by Busola Kukoyi, Senior Special Assistant, Media to the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said Senator Oluremi Tinubu was presented with the award and her kits as the Grand Patron of the 2025 Africa Female Volleyball Tournament.
kukoyi said the presntation was made by the Comptroller General of Customs, (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi when the management teams of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Sports Commission (NSC) and others paid her a visit at the State House, Abuja.
“The First Lady was honoured and presented with her kits as the Grand Patron of the 2025 Africa Female Volleyball Tournament.
“Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who according to her guests is fast gaining reputation as a pillar of sports in Nigeria, particularly, where it involves women, is expected to carry yet another torch for women, this time as the Grand Patron for the 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, to be hosted by Nigeria, with the Customs Service flying the flag of the nation,” Kukoyi said.
According to the spokesperson, the First Lady, in her response to the award said, “the Nation has a space for women in all spheres and they can occupy that space with their continued hard work and dedication.”
Expressing her appreciation, Tinubu noted that the Nation occupies the pride of place in the sports world due to the relentless efforts of female athletes.
She urged the females who have made their marks in sports to mentor and be role models to younger Nigerian females with the message of encouragement to them.
The first Lady also called on female star athletes from Nigeria to come back home and inspire other girls.
“Share not just your stories of successes and achievements but also your humble beginnings.
“I can see that out of the four Deputy Comptroller Generals here, three of you are women. And that tells me you have worked, worked, worked and worked. For you to be at the top, you must have worked hard. When you have been given a platform, it is not just about you. Go on and lift others, encourage them,” the First Lady advised.
Presenting the award, Comptroller General of Customs, (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said the service has taken particular notes of the First Lady’s support for female athletes and teams in the country, and will want her to inspire the Nigerian team to victory at the championship.
“There is a popular saying that when a woman puts her hand to the plough, the earth itself will respond to her. All your initiatives and generosity are unparalleled and this is a great source of inspiration to us all,” Adeniyi canvassed.
In his remarks, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olapade pointed out with enthusiasm that the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the support of the First Lady for Sports has brought in a new vista of life to participants in the sector especially the females.
According to the DirectorGeneral, the Nigerian Girl Child can now truly hold her head up high.
23 other African countries are expected to participate at the championship which will be held between April 1 and 14, 2025.
