| Yar’Adua
congratulates Peter
From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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•Yar'Adua
Photo: Sun News Publishing |
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President Umaru Yar’Adua has congratulated the World
Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight boxing champion, Nigeria’s
Samuel Peter, for successfully defending his title in the
United States of America.
In a letter to the world champion, made available to the State
House Correspondents in Abuja, Tuesday, he described Peter
as a worthy champion, saying the feat would inspire other
Nigerian sportsmen and women to greater international attainments.
"I write to felicitate with you on your great feat of
being the first African to win the World heavyweight boxing
title and for successfully defending the title in a truly
heroic manner.
"You have proudly hoisted our nation’s flag onto
the highest stage of professional boxing", he wrote,
adding ‘your outstanding achievement will inspire other
Nigerian sportsmen and women to great international attainments
to the glory of the fatherland."
In the same vein, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports,
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has joined other well meaning
Nigerians in congratulating Peter on his triumph.
Lokpobiri, who described the victory as timely just as it
coincided with Nigeria’s 47th Independence celebration,
said "We celebrate with our Hero and we are assured that
this victory will inspire more young men and women to get
involved in sporting activities to make our great country
proud."
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State is in a carnival mood, with young
and old all in a jubilant state, following Sunday morning`s
win of World Heavyweight Interim Champion by Samuel Peter
over Jameel Mcline at the Madison Square Garden in New York
City, USA.
The Initiator and Project C-ordinator of IMASDA Sports, Imikan
Attah, speaking to The Vangurd, said the Akwa Ibom State government
repaired the multi-million naira screen at the Ibom Plaza,
where thousand s of Akwa Ibomites had trooped to watch the
fight live.
"It is really encouraging that the Akwa Ibom State Governor,
Chief Godswill Akpabio, personally led a high-powered delegation,
which included a minister of the Federal Republic, as well
as members of his cabinet to be at the ringside to cheer on
Samuel Peter to victory.
“The hard won victory came after the match was fought
to its full 12 rounds, with a unanimous decision by the judges
to declare Samuel Peter the winner."
In Akwa Ibom, the jitters could be felt by all and sundry
at Ibom Plaza when Peter fell, not once, twice, but thrice
in the course of the bouts, but his ultimate victory brought
uncontained joy to all who watched the fight, including the
Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Engr Patrick Ekpotu.
In other parts of Uyo, notably on Nwaniba Road, as well as
in Ewet Housing Estate, crowds celebrated and jubilated for
days over Samuel Peter’s victory. Everyone was unanimous
in saying that Samuel Peter had done Akwa Ibom State proud.
Peter is expected in the country before the end of the year,
and is calling upon the state government to go beyond giving
him a rousing reception.
" I congratulate Samuel Peter, all Akwa Ibom people and
all sports -loving Nigerians on this great victory on the
world stage. want to ask that the state government organise
a befitting reception of the standard of a World Champion,
and make Samuel Peter, who has turned down offers of money
and citizenship, to fight for his country, his efforts are
well appreciated.
In addition to a grand reception, Samuel Peter should be given
a substantial training grant, so that he would not continue
his training by self-effort. He must be able to meet up with
international standards at all times in his playing career.
“To further honour this great son, I suggest that a
major steet in Uyo be named after him, and a sports centre
or stadium should also bear his name.”
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