By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria’s first only individual Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara (MON) has thanked friends, relatives, Nigerians and global sports community for their goodwill messages and gifts on her birthday.

Mrs Ajunwa-opara, MON, marked her birthday on December 25.

Basking in the euphoria of the celebration, the 1996 Olympic Long Jump gold medal winner thanked all her well-wishes for their show of love and prayed God to bless them.

“The messages are overwhelming. The calls, the gifts, visits
other means the international community, family members, friends and relatives reached me on my day was awesome and are still pouring in even as we speak.

“I want to thank them for their love, goodwill and prayers. The show of love was unprecedented. I am grateful,” she said.

Mrs Ajunwa-opara who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police, with the Force CIID Alagbon, prayed for sustained peace in Nigeria and and world over and a viable sporting environment in 2020.

She pointed out that the new year holds promising moments for Nigeria sports and called on all sports lovers to see beyond personal interest and work for the collective and general success of Nigeria sports in the year especially as this is an Olympic year.