Otti rewards Abia paralympics athletes with employment, N20m cash gifts

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has offered employment to 15 athletes from the state who secured gold and silver medals in both international and national sporting events.

Speaking at a reception held at his residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South LGA on Friday, Otti congratulated the athletes for making the state proud. He described the occasion as one of his happiest days in office, highlighting that the reward would not only boost the athletes’ morale but also prevent them from seeking opportunities abroad.

“Since I assumed office, what I met was that there was an embargo on employment and I’ve maintained it but because of these our athletes that have done well, we don’t want them to japa either to abroad or to other states.

“I am going to lift that embargo to employ about fifteen of them,” he said.

He announced a cash reward of N20 million for the two paralympic powerlifting international champions , Onyinyechi Gift Mark and Esther Nworgu, while other athletes will get a total of N33 million.

The coaching crew will receive a total of N22 million.