DABIRI-EREWA MOURNS DEATH OF NIGERIA'S FIRST OLYMPIC MEDALIST, NOJIM MAIYEGUN

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The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has mourned the passing of Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist, Pa Nojim Maiyegun, who died on Monday.

In a condolence message signed by NIDCOM Director of Media, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Dabiri-Erewa, described Maiyegun as a true patriot who devoted all his life to the service of his fatherland.

NIDCOM Chairman in the statement also recounts Pa Nojim Mayegun’s patriotic performance at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

The statement partly read, “Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has condoled with Nigerians, especially those in Austria, over the demise of Nigeria’s first Olympic medallist, Pa Nojim Maiyegun, who died at the age of 85.

“Dabiri-Erewa, who recalled his heroic and patriotic performance at the Olympics that won him the first Nigeria’s Olympic medalist, said Nigeria would not forget Pa Nojim Maiyegun in a hurry for putting Nigeria’s name in a global arena.

“The former boxer, who made history by winning a bronze medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, passed away in Vienna, Austria, on Monday, where he resided for several years after relocating from Nigeria.

The NIDCOM boss condoled with the entire Maiyegun family, the Boxing Federation, the entire Sports Community, and Nigerians in Austria for the loss of a true compatriot.

She prayed unto God to accept him into His grace, forgive his shortcomings and let his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Nojim Maiyegun was a Nigerian boxer, who won the bronze medal in the men’s Light Middleweight category at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

He was born in Lagos on 17 February 1941.