NSC launches ‘Adopt-an-Athlete’ initiative to support Ese Brume

The National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko, has launched the Adopt-an-Athlete Training Grant initiative, naming Nigerian track and field star Ese Brume as its first beneficiary following her recent car accident. 

At an event celebrating the partnership with Confetti Assets Limited, Mallam Dikko praised the company’s generous support and emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for advancing sports development in Nigeria through a sustainable public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

“We must create a system that does not solely depend on government funding but rather leverages private sector partnerships to achieve a thriving sports economy,” Dikko said. 

On his part, the Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to athlete welfare and development. 

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“While we were strategizing, something unfortunate happened to Ese Brume. She was involved in a ghastly motor accident, but to God be the glory, her life was spared,” Olopade said.

“When we spoke, I asked her what I could tell the Chairman to do for her immediately. She made me proud when she said, ‘All I need right now is whatever the Commission can give me as a training grant to help me buy a small vehicle so I can continue my training because I want to win the World Championship in September next year.’ That touched me deeply,” Olopade said. 

On his part, the Chairman of Confetti Assets Limited, Mr. Benjamin Jonathan Ngoka, expressed his commitment to the initiative, pledging continued support for Nigeria’s sports sector.

“We are happy to key into this new vision for Nigerian sports. We understand the mandate of the National Sports Commission and will continue to play our part in supporting athletes and the broader vision of sports development,” Ngoka said. 

The Adopt-the-Athlete initiative aims to provide financial support for Nigerian athletes’ training and development, ensuring they have the resources needed to compete at the highest levels of global sports.