KOGI STATE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR RECEIVES FORMER ALL AFRICAN GAMES, OLYMPIC MEDALIST
By: Godwin Wambebe
The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Thursday received a former Nigerian athlete, a former All African Games medalist and 1996 Atlanta Olympian, Fatima Yusuf Olukoju at the Government House, Lokoja.
The Sport loving Governor received the former 400 metre specialist in company of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Matthew kolawole and the Chairman, Kogi State Sports Council Board who doubles as the Chairman of Kogi United and the Confluence Queens Football Clubs, Hon. Abdulmalik Isah Dolly.
The Atlanta 1996 Silver Medalist who arrived the Country from the United States of America, was in the State on a mission to help promote sports activities in Kogi State and also inform Governor Bello of her ambition to participate in the forthcoming election of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as a zonal representative.
Fatima Olukoju thanked the Governor for his immense contributions to the growth of sports in the State, urging him to sustain such tempo.
“It was nice to see our Governor and I appreciate the warm reception I received
“I will continue to establish relationship with him so his attention can be drawn to our youth sports and I believe good days are ahead for the youth sports in Kogi”
Fatima Yusuf Olukoju, a retired athlete who born on 2nd May 1971 in Owo, Ondo State, competed mainly in the 400 metres during her career.
She won 400 metres race in the
1991 All-Africa Games and was second in the 200 metres race.
She later competed in the 200 meters at the World
Championship in Spain and she is also the first African woman to run under 50 secs in the 400 meters.
Fatima competed for Nigeria in the 1996 Summer Olympics
held in Atlanta, United States in the 400meters in which she placed 6th with the time of 49.77 and 4 x 400 metres
where she won the Silver medal with her teammates Bisi Afolabi, Charity Opara and Falilat Ogunkoya behind host
nation America.
Fatima Yusuf Olukoju, has continue to be an inspiration to the younger generation in Kogi State and the Country at large, following her immense achievement in sports during her playing days.
