Sports philanthropist and South-East representative on the board of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation (NAqF), Joseph Odobeatu, popularly known as Ojez, has rewarded teenage swimming sensation, Abduljabar Adama with a cash gift of $300 in recognition of his outstanding performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The gesture followed Team Nigeria’s impressive outing at the Games, where Adama, alongside Clinton Opute, Collins Ebinga and Dorcas Oka, delivered commendable performances that have been widely hailed as a major milestone for Nigerian aquatics.
The reward, according to Ojez in a statement on Sunday, aligns with the vision of the President of the Nigeria Aquatics Federation, Lekan Fatodu, to recognise excellence and encourage athletes who distinguish themselves on the international stage.
Ojez described the team’s performance in Glasgow as a breakthrough for Nigerian swimming, commending the athletes for representing the country with determination and pride.
He reserved special praise for the 17-year-old Adama, who became the first Nigerian swimmer to qualify for the final of an event at the Commonwealth Games, setting a new benchmark for the sport in the country.
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Competing in the men’s 50-metre butterfly, Adama advanced to the final after an impressive showing in the preliminary rounds before finishing fourth, narrowly missing out on a medal.
His performance has been widely celebrated as a defining moment for Nigerian swimming and has further enhanced his reputation as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.
Presenting the cash reward, Ojez described Adama’s achievement as inspirational, expressing confidence that it would encourage more young Nigerians to embrace swimming and pursue excellence.
He also applauded Clinton Opute, Collins Ebinga and Dorcas Oka for their resilience and dedication throughout the competition, noting that the team’s collective performance reflects the growing potential of aquatic sports in Nigeria.
The NAqF board member further commended the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), led by Chairman, Shehu Dikko and Director-General, Bukola Olopade, for providing the support and enabling environment that contributed to the athletes’ preparations and performances in Glasgow.
“The performances of our swimmers are proof that Nigeria possesses immense talents capable of competing with the very best in the world.
“The support from the National Sports Commission has been invaluable, and we must continue to invest in our athletes,” Ojez said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots sports development, pledging continued support for talent identification and youth programmes aimed at producing future champions for Nigeria.
According to him, Adama’s historic achievement should inspire greater investment in swimming infrastructure, athlete development and coaching programmes to sustain Nigeria’s emergence as a force in international aquatic sports.
