The Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has extolled the valuable contributions of late veteran actress, Rachael Oniga in Nollywood and that of Tokyo Olympics medalist, Ese Brume to the country.
In a statement, Senator Omo-Agege noted that women of great potentials abound in Delta State and other parts of the federation but the celebration of the duo emphatically demonstrates Delta women’s capacity to move mountains.
However, Senator Omo-Agege stressed that his sadness over the death of Rachel Oniga became more tolerable when he started seeing numerous inspiring tributes made by many Nigerians over her professional contributions and caring nature.
In his words: “That Nigerians from all walks of life joined us in mourning her demise amply attests to the worthy qualities of Chief Rachel Tabuno Oniga, a sister, mother and grandmother whose decades of professional contribution to Nollywood partly projects the irrepressible creativity and dynamism of not only the Urhobo woman but Delta state womenfolk in general.
“Sometimes, it is not just about how long but how well. Rachel epitomized the industrious nature of our women who, while working hard to care for families, dependants and many more in the community, also demonstrate great capacity towards enhancing the progress and positive image of our country.
“I feel even more comforted with the good news about the young Delta lady, Ese Brume who won the first medal for Nigeria with a 6.97 metres jump in the final of the event at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, few days ago.
“Earlier, she had won the gold medal in long jump at the 2019 African Games after leaping 6.69m and on June 12, 2021 at the Chula Vista Field Festival in California, USA. Ese Brume broke another great female compatriot, Chioma Ajunwa’s 25-year old African women’s long jump record.
“Remarkably, Ese leapt a distance of 7.17m at the California event to break the 7.13m record set by Ajunwa who was then on her way to winning gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games.
“I feel vindicated in my conviction that if given the chance, many Nigerian women who are blessed with great potentials can further contribute towards the progress and development of Nigeria; God bless Nigerian women,” he stated.
