Nigeria’s sprint sensation, Blessing Okagbare was Wednesday in Abuja honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan for her exploits at the last IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Okagbare rescued a silver and a bronze in the long jump and 200m respectively at the event to end Nigeria’s 12 year medal less run in the championships.

President Jonathan rewarded the athlete with N3m and urged young Nigerians to emulate her. He specially commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for his tremendous support to Okagbare and investment in sports. He equally thanked the AFN board led by Chief Solomon Ogba for their drive on athletics in Nigeria.

Bolaji Abdullahi, Namadi Sambo; Blessing Okagbare; Goodluck Jonathan; Okagbare’s Coach, Mr Daniel Esemunor and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta during a reception in honour of the Silver medalist at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday (

Okagbare  rose from a school of junior athletes to become a world contender. The coach who groomed her from the grassroots, Dan Etsebiminor was also  rewarded with N3.5m.

Okagbare said after  receiving the cheque that she was very happy with the recognition by the President adding that it will spur her to do more for the country.

Sports minister, Bolaji Abdullahi on his part, said he  was grateful for the discovery of Okagbare and the support of the President and the Delta state governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan as he looked at athletics in Nigeria with nostalgia. Governor Uduaghan, Athletics Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba were present at the ceremony.

Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan will host the new queen of track and field on tomorrow  morning at the Government House, Asaba, Delta State.

Okagbare opened her international medal account at the 2007 All_Africa Games when she won the silver medal in the long jump.

The following year she won a bronze medal in the women’s long jump event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing

She went on to win the double in 100 m and long jump  at the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship for University of Texas at El Paso, completing an undefeated collegiate streak that year.

At the African championships in 2010, she won gold in the long jump and gold in the 100m. She also won gold  in the 4x100m relay.

She won three medals at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique.

On July 27, 2013, at the London Olympics Anniversary Games, Okagbare set a new African record of 10.79s in  100m race in a race where she beat reigning 100m Olympic gold medalist Shelly_Ann Fraser_Pryce.

At the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, Okagbare won the silver medal in the long jump and bronze  in the Women’s 200m race.