The Chairman of the Valuejet Airline, Chief Kunle Soname has been inducted as a patron of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).
The president of the Committee, Engr Habu Gumel led a team of members of the executive committee to the ceremony that took place on September 7, 2023, to Ikenne, Ogun State for the event.
Accompanied by the Sec.-Gen. Tunde Popoola, 3rd Vice president, Olamide Oyedeji, 4th Vice president, Mrs Olabisi Joseph and Public Relations Officer, Tony Nezianya and the NOC Marketing Committee Chairman, Dr Ademola Are, Gumel bestowed the honour on Soname at the Board Room of the Remo Stadium, Ikenne.
Gumel in a remark notes Hon. Soname is a household name in Nigeria when it comes to massive investments in Sports, recreation, promotion of tourism and youth empowerment initiatives.
”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. Blending sports with culture and education; Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on values of good example and respect for universal principles.
According to Gumel, the Movement is a global permanent action to impact humanity positively, using the instrumentality of sports under the supreme authority of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
”It is the universal convergence of entities and individuals that subscribe to the Olympic Charter and the Commonwealth Sports Movement. Both bodies promote global friendship and harmonious development using sports as a tool.”
He urged the new patron to join the growing rank of patrons that ”the quadrennial Olympic Games is celebrated every four years remains the biggest sporting spectacle on earth today, bringing together no fewer than 15,000 strong elite athletes
Gumel, spelt out the role of patrons to the NOC to mean, Advisory and Ambassadorial. Your office carries a high level of responsibility, honour and integrity.
The president, then, highlighted some key Games including the IV Winter Youth Games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2, 2024, in Gangwom, South Korea.
13th African Games, March 8 to March 23, 2024, in Accra, Ghana and the Paris Olympic Games, July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024.
You are expected to support the Movement, morally and financially as well as assist in opening doors.
”By this investiture, you are an Ambassador of the Olympic Family, both locally and internationally. We are confident that you will be guided by this understanding at all times,” the president stressed.
Responding Chief Soname expressed his appreciation to the committee for finding him worthy of such a weighty appointment, urging the NOC to count on him.
”You can count on me to support the Olympic Committee.
”I underestimated the enormity of the office. I know the importance of assisting to use Sports as an avenue to empower the youths.
”I want you to note that whatever you fail to spend on Sports, you will eventually spend on security.
”I have been supporting sports locally but certainly, this is a bigger stage and I will endeavour to do my utmost to continue the growth and development of sports,” noted Soname.
Soname received a Sach, a Plague and a letter validating his appointment from the NOC.
