Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, said he has started making efforts to resolve the issue between Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen and his Italian club Napoli, along with the debacle surrounding World Record holder Tobi Amusan.
Osimhen was mocked in a TikTok video by Napoli’s official TikTok account following his penalty miss against Bologna in a goalless draw, while the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) started the process of challenging the decision to clear Amusan of doping violations.
Enoh made this known on his X account on Thursday, revealing he was sad over the issues.
The Sports Minister said he made contact with Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the Nigerian ambassador to Italy, Mfawa Abam, to resolve the matter.
“Over the past weekend, the news coming out of Napoli concerning Super Eagles player -Victor Osimhen saddened me greatly,” Sports Minister Enoh said. “The travails of Tobi Amusan have been no less so—the reason I made efforts to reach her directly last week.”
“My office is trying to reach Victor Osimhen directly as well to understand first-hand the issues. We are committed to establishing the facts of the matter. Meanwhile, I am in touch with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Abam.”
“Together, we are employing Diplomatic avenues with Italy for a more proper approach to looking into the matter as it is. Under the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to ensuring our sportsmen and women are accorded the respect they deserve and are not exposed to any injustice.”
“Upon assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear, in words and deeds, that the welfare of our athletes, be they home-based or international-based, would be our topmost priority as we create the environment that enables and ensures their continued success,” Enoh concluded.
PRESS RELEASE
28th SEPTEMBER,2023A RALLY FOR VICTOR OSIMHEN AND ALL NIGERIAN ATHLETES
Over the past weekend, the news coming out of Napoli concerning Super Eagles player -Victor Osimhen saddened me greatly. pic.twitter.com/DRcnvKAtgo
— Senator John Owan Enoh (@OwanEnoh) September 28, 2023
