The South-South Representative on the board of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Lawrence Iquaibom has declared his readiness to work with President-elect NWF, Dr Ibrahim Abdul for the overall progress of weightlifting.
Iquaibom stated this after the successful election of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation held at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Package B in Abuja.
The ex-Commonwealth Games Champion said he and the President share the same ideology for the growth of weightlifting in Nigeria.
He said, “I accept the result of the election and very heartily congratulate my brother and friend, Dr Ibrahim Abdul, on his emergence as the President of NWF while also declaring my intent to work with him for the overall progress and development of the sport which has made me who I am today.
“Having worked at close quarters with Dr. Ibrahim Abdul who is the Chairman of the FCT Weightlifting Association and the immediate past Chairman of the NWF caretaker committee with me as a member, I can attest to the fact that we share the same ideologies for the growth of the sport in the country. I had no difficulty stepping down and queuing behind him.”
The category one International weightlifting referee expressed profound to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel; former President of Nigeria Judo Federation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu; the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare; Senior Special Assistant on sports to Akwa Ibom State Governor; Elder Paul Bassey amongst others.
He said, “I am grateful to His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel for his support before, during and after the elections. I am deeply grateful to His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. I am honoured that the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Sunday Dare found me worthy to be appointed to the NWF caretaker committee.
“I am delighted that the Deputy Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Youth, Sports and Security, Otuekong Nse Essien threw his weight behind my aspiration and has always presented his shoulders for me to lean on all these years. Also at the receiving end of my in-depth appreciation is the Akwa Ibom state Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Sir Monday Uko, whose support for me during the electioneering and over the years has been immeasurable.
“I am profoundly thankful to Elder Paul Bassey, my elder brother and Senior Special Assistant on sports to Akwa Ibom state Governor under whose guidance I have continued to grow. I am deeply appreciative of the support I enjoyed from my loving family, my colleagues at NWF, my dear lifters, coaches, referees and stakeholders all over the country including the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) across the 36 states of the Federation including FCT.”
