The Senate of the United States of America has honoured an 18-year-old Nigerian, Prince Raphael Akinyemi, for winning a basketball championship for the State of Maryland.
Raphael is the son of Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, a first class traditional ruler, in Ogun state, the Eselu of Iseluland in Yewa-North local government area of the state.
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The 18-year-old Akinyemi alongside his colleagues were given standing ovation by the Senators during plenary on Saturday.
In his reaction, Oba Akinyemi, described the development as a thing of pride for Iselu, Yewa, Ogun State, Nigeria and the black race in general.
Oba Akinyemi said nobody could have believed that an indigene from Iselu in Yewa North Local Government would be so honoured by the US Senate.
He said “This is a testimony that the nation has many talents and potential locked in the rural areas.”
The Oba, therefore, charged the government of Nigeria to create an enabling environment for the younger generation to thrive in sports.
Asked if he would allow his son to play for Nigeria, Oba Akinyemi said “I won’t object to my son playing for Nigeria’s national basketball team, if the need arises.”.
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