As we celebrate 54 years of independence in Nigeria, we should also remember the Nigerians that have made us proud over the years. The No 1 online retailer in Nigeria, Jumia Nigeria has produced a list of some of our compatriots that have made us proud and inspire us as a nation
1. The first Nigerian to win an Olympic Gold medal – Chioma Ajunwa
Chioma Ajunwa is a former athlete who specialised in the long jump. Chioma won the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and she remains the only individual Olympic gold medallist in Nigeria. Chioma is still celebrated and has received honours by both Federal Government and the Imo state Government.
Message of inspiration– To run or to jump can yield rewards if you aim to run faster or jump higher than everyone else
2. The first Nigerian to win Miss World- Agbani Darego
Agbani Darego is from Rivers State. She started her pageantry career as a teenager and became the first black African to win the Miss World competition in November 2001. Agbani has gone on to win more pageants and model on major runways in the world.
Message of inspiration – Embrace your beauty with determination
3. First Nigerian to win a Nobel Prize in Literature- Professor Wole Soyinka
Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka was born in Abeokuta. He studied in Nigeria and in the UK and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986. Wole Soyinka is the first African to be honoured with the award. Wole Soyinka is a very well-known Poet, Author with recognition and accolades both at home and abroad.
Message of inspiration – To be the best in Literature, you start by learning to read and write
4. First Qualified Football Coach- Teslim Balogun
Tesilimi Olawale Balogun is a footballer that played as a striker at both professional and international levels. He is the first Nigerian/African to be certified as a professional coach. He has a stadium named in his honour in Lagos and a foundation to help struggling ex-footballers and their families.
Message of inspiration – Football is more than kicking a ball around for over 90 minutes on a field, drive and compassion makes it more
5. First African Football team to win Olympic Gold – Nigerian football Team 1996
The Nigerian team of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta included: Abiodun Obafemi, Augustine Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Joseph Dosu, Nwankwo Kanu, Kingsley Obiekwu, Mobi Obaraku, Uche Mbamaonyeukwu, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Teslim Fatusi, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, and Wilson Oruma. As the first African team to win Gold in this competition, the team inspired Cameroon to win gold in the next Olympics four years later.
Message of inspiration – A team can move giants together
All these people and more should be looked upon as people with the Nigerian spirit of bravery, hard work and determination regardless of circumstances and should inspire us to continue to strive to make Nigeria a great nation.
Happy Independence Day from Jumia!
This article was written by Dami Owosekun