The chairman of ValueJet Airline, Kunle Soname, has been inducted as patron of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

A statement by the public relations officer, NOC, Tony Nezianya, on Sunday in Lagos said NOC’s president, Habu Gumel, bestowed the honour on Mr Soname on Sept. 7 at Remo, Ikenne, Ogun.

The statement said Mr Gumel was accompanied by NOC’s secretary-general, Tunde Popoola, 3rd Vice President, Olamide Oyedeji, 4th Vice President, Olabisi Joseph, and marketing committee chairman, Ademola Are.

Mr Gumel described Mr Soname as a household name in Nigeria who had made massive investments in sports, recreation, the promotion of tourism, and youth empowerment initiatives.

“The NOC’s expectations of a patron should be beyond unfettered integrity, but to advise and support the Olympic Movement in the delivery of its key objectives.

“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will, and mind.

“It blends sports with culture and education; Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on values of good example and respect for universal principles,” he said.

According to Mr Gumel, the movement is a global action to impact humanity positively, using the instrumentality of sports under the authority of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“It is the universal convergence of entities and individuals that subscribed to the Olympic Charter and the Commonwealth Sports Movement. Both bodies promote global friendship and harmonious development, using sports as a tool.

“The quadrennial Olympic Games celebrated every four years remain the biggest sporting event on earth today, bringing together no fewer than 15,000 strong elite athletes,” he said.

Mr Gumel said the role of patrons in the NOC was advisory and ambassadorial. “Your office carries a high level of responsibility, honour, and integrity.”

The president highlighted some key games the NOC would be interested in, including the IV Winter Youth Games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 2, 2024, in Gangwom, South Korea.

Others are the 13th African Games, March 8–23, 2024, in Accra, Ghana and the Paris Olympic Games, July 26–August 11, 2024.

“You are expected to support the movement morally and financially, as well as assist in opening doors.

“By this investiture, you are an ambassador of the Olympic family, both locally and internationally. We are confident that you will be guided by this understanding at all times,” the NOC president stressed.

Mr Soname, in his acceptance speech, expressed his appreciation to the committee for finding him worthy of such a weighty appointment.

“You can count on me to support the Olympic Committee. I know the importance of assisting in using sports as an avenue to empower the youth.

“I want you to note that whatever you fail to spend on sports, you will eventually spend on security.

“I have been supporting sports locally, but certainly this is a bigger stage, and I will endeavour to do my utmost to continue the growth and development of sports,” Mr Soname said.

(NAN)