CAVB, NVBF to Honour First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for Promoting Volleyball Development in Nigeria

By: Arinzechi Chukwunonso

The Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB), in collaboration with the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), will today confer a special honour on the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her exceptional contributions to the development and promotion of volleyball, particularly among young girls in the country.

The announcement was made by Engineer Musa Nimrod, President of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Commission and President of the NVBF, during an interaction with journalists at the ongoing 2025 CAVB U18 Beach Volleyball Continental Championship, holding at Jabi Lake, Abuja. Nimrod described the First Lady as a pillar of support whose unwavering commitment to youth and sports development continues to inspire a new generation of athletes.

According to him, Senator Tinubu’s presence at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2025 African Club Volleyball Championship—hosted in Abuja earlier this year—significantly uplifted the morale of participating athletes, particularly young girls. Her involvement, he noted, symbolized high-level recognition for grassroots sports and reinforced the importance of inclusive leadership in national development.

“The First Lady’s engagement with volleyball has gone beyond ceremonial appearances. Through her Renewed Hope Initiative, she has consistently championed youth development, gender inclusion, and empowerment through sports. Her actions have left a lasting impression on the volleyball community, and this honour is our collective way of expressing gratitude,” Nimrod said.

He further revealed that Senator Tinubu has been formally designated as the Patron of Nigerian Volleyball, in recognition of her strategic support for the sport. He emphasized that her efforts align with the broader objectives of the Tinubu administration in revitalizing the Nigerian sports sector and fostering youth empowerment through strategic partnerships, investments, and mentorship.

“Thanks to her influence, our young athletes have found renewed strength and purpose. The discipline, patriotism, and success we see among our teams are not accidental—they are the result of sustained encouragement from key figures like the First Lady,” Nimrod added.

As part of today’s programme, Senator Tinubu will be honoured during the closing ceremony of the U18 Beach Volleyball Continental Championship, which has seen Nigeria emerge as a dominant force. The final match in the girls’ category will feature an all-Nigerian showdown, as Nigeria I takes on Nigeria II at 3:00 p.m. at Jabi Lake, further underlining the country’s rising profile in youth volleyball development.

This recognition of the First Lady marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to integrate leadership, sports, and youth engagement as tools for national growth, especially at a time when Nigeria continues to gain continental recognition in volleyball and other youth-oriented competitions.