Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Sunday, December 13 said Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, better known as Anthony Joshua’s victory against Kubrat Pulev is a justification for Nigeria’s investment in sports and youth development.
The governor stated this after the 31-year-old British professional boxer who has a Nigerian background nocked down Pulev in rounds of boxing fights.
According to him, Joshua’s win over Pulev made Ogun State indigenes and Nigerians proud, while restoring hope that despite “the country’s challenges, the nation will overcome.”
Abiodun congratulated the world’s heavyweight boxing champion, saying that the victory gave the people of Ogun State immeasurable joy.
“Joshua’s victory has brought us pride and a justification for our investment in sports and youth development,” the governor said.
SUNRISE.NG understands that governor Abiodun stated this in a statement made available to newsmen through his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin.
He commended the boxer for displaying “Ogun standard of excellence”, adding that his government has always dimensioned sports as not just a unifying factor but also a socio-economic imperative.”
He attributed the victory to the manifestation of God’s love for the people of Ogun, who he said prayed fervently for Joshua and organized rallies and viewing centres to watch the fight live across the three senatorial districts.