Nigeria Boxing Federation interim president, Azania Omo-Agege, has praised heavyweight prospect Moses Itauma, former cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie, and other Nigerian-heritage fighters for their recent visit to the country.
Omo-Agege said he was delighted to see the athletes reconnect with their ancestral home, describing boxing as one of Nigeria’s oldest sporting traditions and a source of national pride.
“I’m very happy to see Itauma, Okolie, Azeez, and all the other boxers visit Nigeria, the home of boxing legends. We have many champions with Nigerian heritage. Amongst all sports in Nigeria, boxing won the first-ever Olympic medal for the country, and also the first in Africa,” he told reporters.
The interim president used the occasion to propose the creation of a Nigerian Boxing Hall of Fame Museum in Abuja, which would preserve the legacies of pioneers such as Hogan Bassey, Dick Tiger, Samuel Peter, the Okorodudus, and the Konyegwachies.
“When tourists visit, they should be able to see the history of Nigeria and boxing – sculptures, stories, and films of our champions. I think that would be a very good one,” he added.
Omo-Agege also aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day address, which stressed the importance of putting Nigeria first, urging that the same mindset be applied in sports.
He further commended Balmoral Promotions for staging professional bouts in Nigeria and said he was optimistic about a resurgence of the sport.
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