The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has chosen Kunle Soname, Chairman of Valuejet Airline, as a patron.
According to a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by NOC’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya, NOC’s president, Habu Gumel, bestowed the accolade on Soname on September 7, in Remo, Ikenne, Ogun.
According to the announcement, Gumel was joined by NOC Sec.-Gen. Tunde Popoola, 3rd Vice-President Olamide Oyedeji, 4th Vice-President Olabisi Joseph, and Marketing Committee Chairman Ademola Are.
Gumel characterized Soname as a Nigerian household name who has invested heavily in sports, recreation, tourism marketing, and youth empowerment efforts.
“The NOC’s expectations of a patron should be beyond unfettered integrity, but to advise and support the Olympic Movement in the delivery of its key objectives.
“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind.
“It blends sports with culture and education; Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on values of good example and respect for universal principles,” he said.
According to Gumel, the movement is a global action to impact humanity positively, using the instrumentality of sports under the authority of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“It is the universal convergence of entities and individuals that subscribed to the Olympic Charter and the Commonwealth Sports Movement. Both bodies promote global friendship and harmonious development using sports as a tool.
“The quadrennial Olympic Games celebrated every four years remains the biggest sporting event on earth today, bringing together no fewer than 15,000 strong elite athletes,” he said.
Gumel said the role of patrons to the NOC were advisory and ambassadorial. “Your office carries a high level of responsibility, honour and integrity.”
The president highlighted some key games the NOC would be interested in, including the IV Winter Youth Games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2, 2024, in Gangwom, South Korea.
Others are: the 13th African Games, March 8 to March 23, 2024, in Accra, Ghana and the Paris Olympic Games, July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024.