Trolling: Minister Rallies Support For Napoli’s Osimhen, Other Nigerian athletes

The New Diplomat
Writer

Ad

How Crystal Palace Floored Liverpool to Clinch Community Shield Trophy

By Abiola Olawale Crystal Palace, on Sunday, August 10, 2025, defeated Liverpool on penalties to claim the 2025 Community Shield at Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom. Crystal Palace, who made their first-ever appearance in the competition, overcame Liverpool, the 2024/25 Premier League champions, to secure their second major trophy in club history, following their FA…

ADC: Fayemi Counters Amaechi’s Claim, Affirms Commitment to APC

By Abiola Olawale A two-term Ekiti State Governor and one time minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has publicly dismissed claims by former Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi, to the effect that the duo collaborated to pioneer to establishment of the opposition coalition. Fayemi, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC),…

Ad

By Agency Report

Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, says he is committed to ensuring Nigerian athletes are accorded due respect and not discriminated against.

The minister said this on Thursday in Abuja against the backdrop of a video on Napoli’s official TikTok which appeared to mock Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen over a penalty miss.

Osimhen had missed a penalty kick during Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Bologna in a recent Serie A match.

Osimhen subsequently threatened to sue Napoli FC for the post, but the post has now been deleted.

The minister said he was saddened by the incident and exploring ways to ensure Nigerian athletes are treated with dignity always.

He said he was committed to rallying support for Osimhen, Tobi Amusan and other Nigerian athletes who might need encouragement.

“Over the past weekend, the developments that came out of Napoli as it pertains Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, saddened me greatly.

“The travails of Tobi Amusan have been no less so. This necessitated why, last week, I made efforts to reach her directly.

“Moreso, my office is making efforts to reach Victor Osimhen directly as well, so as to understand first hand what the issues are.

“We are committed to establishing the facts of the matter,” he said.

Enoh said his office was working closely with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nigerian Ambassador to Italy and other stakeholders to find a diplomatic resolution to the issue.

“I am also in touch with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, as well as the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Abam.

“Together, we are employing diplomatic avenues with Italy for a more decorous approach in looking into the matter as it is,” he said.

The minister said the Tinubu-led administration would continue to ensure that Nigerian sports men and women were accorded the respect they deserved and not exposed to injustice and discrimination.

“Upon assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear, in words and deeds that the welfare of our athletes, be they home-based or foreign-based, would be our topmost priority, as we create the environment that enables and ensures their continued success,” he added. (NAN)

Ad

X whatsapp