Women’s 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan and Commonwealth record holder in long jump Ese Brume have been unveiled as brand ambassadors of a new generation bank.
At the ceremony which held on Wednesday at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Lagos Island, Amusan who recorded several firsts, culminating in her winning the World Athletics Championships in Oregon, USA with a new world record in the women’s 100m hurdles as well as winning the Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medal in her specialty and the 4x100m relay, was the toast of the event.
The athletes signed the dotted lines as the bank’s brand ambassadors at the colourful event.
Minister of youth and sports development Sunday Dare, who was in attendance, said the duo signpost the future of the country’s athletes.
He also called on corporate organisations and individuals not to wait until athletes are crowned champions before associating with them. He stressed on investing in Nigerian athletes when they are young.
“These athletes never relent, always strife, consistent in their performances,” Dare said.
“Even on the big stage, they knew they had it in them and they never stop and when the time came, they showed up big time. They showed up for themselves first having done the sacrifices, gone through the discipline, because if you have talents and you don’t add discipline to it, you cannot excel.
“I want to thank Tobi (Amusan) for doing that job in Oregon, not just breaking the world record, but breaking it twice same night. I am thanking you on behalf of this country, Nigeria. We are grateful.”
Dare also commended Brume for improving on the bronze she won at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“Brume, on her part, most telling moment for me at the Olympics in Tokyo was when Tobi finished fourth in her race. The only person that could comfort her was Ese. Not even her coach could do that. I am happy seeing the two of them here today, happy to see what they have attained so far.
“Ese came third at the Olympics, but to us, it was a Golden Bronze. Thank you because when you came to the Commonwealth Games, you did it again,” the minister said.
The two athletes appreciated the bank for associating with them and promised to maintain the standard expected.
