The Japanese Government has presented its highest order award to the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Habu Gumel.

Presenting the award known as “Order of the Rising Sun” to Engr. Gumel on behalf of Emperor Hironomiya  Naruhito, Japanese Ambassador in Nigeria His Excellency  Matsunaga Kazuyoshi praised Gumel’s sterling qualities in Sports Development.

Emperor Naruhito commended Engr Gumel’s instrumentality in building relations with the Japanese Olympic Committee and his significant roles in the promotion of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Nigeria over the years through the Olympic Games.

“Receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, one of the highest orders awarded in the name of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, in recognition of your  contributions to promoting friendship between Japan and Nigeria through sports”

While accepting the award Engr. Gumel expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for the honour and promised to be steadfast in using Sports to promote the image of Nigeria positively.

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare who was a special guest at the event, applauded Engr Gumel’s sincerity, professionalism and humility.

“Sports brought out the talent in Gumel, In fact, he is one of the revered sports administrators in this country that I respect. Am happy the Japanese government took note of your contributions to building a bond between Nigeria and Japan”

Engr. Habu  Gumel is among the distinguished personalities in the world to be honoured by the Government of Japan with the most prestigious Foreign Recipients of the 2022 Spring Imperial Decorations.

The NOC boss becomes the fourth Nigerian to receive such an Order from Japan, following Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Prof Isaac Folorunso Adewole, former Minister of Health, as well as Prof. Mohammed Gana Yisa, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Japan.

FRCN Abuja/Adetutu Adetule