By Aderonke Ojo
The NSC elections covered 18 sports federations, including taekwondo, hockey, deaf sports, tennis, scrabble, aquatics, shooting, golf, handball, rugby, fives, chess, wrestling, squash, traditional sports, wushu-kungfu, boxing, and karate
The Board was inaugurated soon after the election inside the Indoor Sports Hall.
In his inaugural statement while fielding questions from the reporters,The newly elected President, Hon (Dr) Dunkwu Chamberlain, who is also the Deputy Chief of Staff Legislative/Members Affairs in the National Assembly, said the inauguration marks “the beginning of a new era for aquatic sports development in the country.”
Chamberlain, a long-time advocate for grassroots sports development, pledged to reposition the Federation and create more opportunities for young athletes, especially from the riverine communities across Nigeria.
“We are blessed as a nation with enormous aquatic potential from the riverine areas of the Niger Delta to the lakes of the North and West.
Our mission is to harness that natural advantage, nurture the raw talent waiting to be discovered, and attract sponsors who share our dream of making Nigeria a continental and global force in aquatic sports,” Dr Dunkwu Chamberlain told the reporters.
He also emphasized the need for strategic partnerships, capacity building for coaches and officials, and increased participation in international competitions as core objectives of his administration.
The Chief of Staff Legislative/Members Affairs has Mr Abdul-Hassan Magaji.
Other members of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation include: Mr. Babatunde Fatayi-Williams – International Representative;
Pst. Jesimiel Nseobong Samuel – Technical Representative;
Mr. Odobeatu Joseph Anayo – South East Representative;
Dr. Babatunde Henry Omoyele – South West Representative;
Lt. Comdr. Labake Oriretan – Institutional Representative and Dr. Suleiman Usman Omeize – NAPHER-SD Representative.
Others are: Mrs. Yori Florence – NAWIS Representative; Mr. Eric Williams – Athlete Representative;
Mrs. Obia Inyengiyekabo Lenienu Affan – Representative Member;
Mr. Minabowan Clement Sunday – South South Representative; Mr. Kyari Mohammed Maina – North East Representative and Mr. Taiwo Oriss – Secretary-General.