Mrs Cynthia Alonu Momah has emerged the overall best graduating student at the 8th Convocation ceremony of the National Institute for Sports, NIS, today in Lagos.
The bronze medalist in kickboxing event of the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta State bagged the accolade out of the record number of 530 graduands spanning from 2019 to 2022 sets.
Mrs Alonu whose Diploma coaching course was sponsored by her Mixed Martial Arts MMA specialist husband Ndidi Rage Alonu, promised to put her newly acquired knowledge into developing budding talents in kickboxing:
“I intend grooming younger athletes, of course giving back to the society.
“I wouldn’t say I did anything extra(to achieve the feat) because I don’t really study that much but when am ready to study it sinks.
“I never read overnight.”
In another highlight of the ceremony, former Green Eagles captain Chief Segun Odegbami and ace sportscaster Dr Larry Izamoje were present to receive their honorary Fellowship of the National Institute for Sports FNIS awards for their contribution to sports development in the country.
Chief Odegbami in his acceptance speech expressed joy at the structural upgrade of the NIS Lagos
“I want to attest to the giant steps NIS has taken to honour ordinary people like us who are just doing our jobs, who did not pay for the award, who did not ask for the award.
“In Nigeria it’s hard to find such.
“So I want to use this opportunity to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria under president Buhari for the steps taken to change the face of NIS.
“And to the man who is doing it, Professor Moronkola and his team for the great job they are doing.”
Other awardees who sent in representatives to receive their accolades included the Sports Minister chief Sunday Dare, sports philanthropists Chief Adebutu Kensington and Mrs Modupe Lawale.
While extolling the virtues of the awardees, the Director General of NIS Professor Olawale Moronkola highlighted the resolve of the institution to reclaim it’s lost glory:
“The institute has moved from a docile, seemingly forgotten institution to a respected, virile and active one that can compete with the very best around the world.
“We now have well equipped library with e-resources, rehabilitated hostel, pitches and courts lecture theatre, rehabilitated pitch, courts, gymnasium and other facilities in place.
“I am delighted that we have made significant progress with the approval of new courses by the NBTE, as well as introduction of National Diploma in sports coaching, National Diploma in Sports Management.
“This effort will lead to increased students enrollment and improve standard of our products.”
The NIS convocation ceremony came on the heels of inauguration of new members of the NIS governing council by president Muhammadu Buhari.
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