President Muhammadu Buhari was on Saturday handed the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games baton in Abuja.
The baton, carrying Her Majesty, the Queen of England and Head of the Commonwealth’s message of goodwill, has been on a 90,000 mile, 72-country journey to end at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Speaking during the brief ceremony, which took place at the State House Conference Hall, Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said the docking of the relay baton in Nigeria reminded Commonwealth member countries of their brotherhood and friendship.
The President said “It’s a very special pleasure to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay to Nigeria today. This is a much-loved tradition that precedes every commonwealth game.
“As the relay goes from one commonwealth member country to another in its country journey across several continents, the two billion-strong population of the commonwealth are reminded of the strong bonds of brotherhood and friendship that bind us across these continents, nations, races, tongues and faiths. This joyful event will end at this time in Birmingham, the city which will host the games in 2022.
“Since then our athletes have won no less than 236 medals at the games! We are set to do much better in Birmingham”, he said.
He commended the Nigerian relay team for their cheerfulness and dedication to this tour covering thousands of miles, the organizing committees for all their hard work in seamlessly delivering the relay event and the athletes who will bring excitement and thrill to millions at this festival of sport and culture.
Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare who disclosed that Nigeria was the first African country to host the Queen’s Baton Relay, added that the event signified unity, peace and love among the member nations.
“The giant stride by both the Commonwealth Games Federation and the Birmingham 2022 Organiser in ensuring that the Queen’s Baton visits the 72 Commonwealth nations and territories to spread the goodwill message of the games to the sporting world community is highly commendable.
“The Commonwealth Games itself has come of age and the Queen’s Baton is traversing the globe with an open invitation to elite athletes to converge in celebration of sports excellence in an environment of peace and friendship in Birmingham, United Kingdom.”
The Sports Minister noted that the Queen’s Baton Relay was set to tour 15 other African countries before leaving for Asia.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catariona Liang said the baton left Buckingham Palace on October 7, 2021, with the spirit of the Commonwealth Games of humanity, equality and diversity.
She stated that these games are special as they represent Commonwealth values.
Continuing, Liang said that two interesting facts would be remarkable at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“The first is that the disability agenda. The para Sports are going to be completely integrated; there are no separate para-games. So, if you win a medal it counts exactly the same.
“The other interesting fact is that there is going to be more medals for women than men this time; 136 medals for women and 130 medals for men. So, that’s good progress as well,’’ she explained.
President of the Commonwealth Games Nigeria, Abu Gumel, said that Baton would return on July 28, 2022, to the United Kingdom for the opening ceremony of the Birmingham Games, where the message inside would be read by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Queen’s Baton, which bears similarity with the Olympic torch, was received by a delegation from the United Kingdom in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports Development, and Commonwealth Games Nigeria.
Nigeria becomes the third nation to receive the Queen’s Baton after which it will continue its tour to 15 other African countries before proceeding to Asia.
