Okorocha presents cars, plots of land, cash to Paralympians

By Akeem Lawal

IMO State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has presented the sum of one million naira, a plot of land and brand new Kia Rio saloon car to each to the three gold medalists who are indigenes of the state at the just concluded Rio Paralympics in Brazil alongside their coach in an event held at the Govt House, Owerri on Thursday.

Ezuruike Roland, Nwosu Ndidi and Josephine Orji all won gold for Nigeria in powerlifting events.

Presenting the keys to the cars, the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the land and a cheque of N1m to each of the five beneficiaries on behalf of the governor, the Chief of Staff, Government House Owerri, Hon. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu said that the presentation is in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to the Paralympic medalists of Imo origin who represented Nigeria. 

Hon. Uche Nwosu who said that the medalists have made Imo State proud, encouraged them and other athletes to keep faith and put more efforts.

An elated Precious Orji later took to her Facebook page to give glory to God and show her appreciation to the governor.

“Lifted by Grace. God I return all the glory to u for blessing me through my one and only able Governor His Excellency Owelle Rocha's Okorocha with a brand new Rio KIA car, a million naira for fuel and CofO for fuel and my plot of land, located in Owerri urban. God bless OWELLE, Imo and Nigeria,” she said.

Recalled that Roland Ezuruike set three Paralympic Records to win gold in the Powerlifting Men’s -54 kg. While Ndidi Nwosu landed Nigeria’s fifth gold medal of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, lifting 140kg to equal the Paralympics Record (PR) in the women’s -73kg Powerlifting event.

Josephine Orji on the other end, won Nigeria’s eight and final gold in her +86kg Powerlifting event. She did so by breaking the World Record and setting a new one of 154kg.

The Nigerian team won 12 medals; eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Paralympics Games held from 7 to 18 September 2016.