Sunday August 17, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
By Edidiong STEPHEN
Akwa Ibom state-born Olympian and International Technical Official, Mr Lawrence Iquaibom, has won the vice presidential election on the board of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, NWF.
In a keenly contested election held at the Gymnasium, Package-B of the national stadium, Abuja, on Saturday, August 16, Mr Iquaibom, who is already a member of both the Weightlifting Africa Federation, WAF, and the International Weightlifting Federation, IWF, polled a total of eight votes to defeat his closest rival Innocent Nwankwo of Anambra state who garnered four votes. Before the commencement of voting, Mr Luke Ibe and Mr Steve Olarinoye, the other two vice presidential candidates, had stepped down citing varying reasons.
Speaking shortly after the elections, Mr Iquaibom, a retired Director in the Akwa Ibom State civil service thanked Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for providing what he described as “the enabling environment to thrive”.
“It was tough, but God saw me through. I dedicate today’s victory to our beloved Governor, Pastor Dr Umo Eno, who has provided the enabling environment for sports to thrive in our state.” He stated.
“I thank the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, for his tremendous support throughout the electioneering, I thank Akwa Ibom people, I thank my colleagues and delegates for entrusting me with their mandate.” “For me, this is a call to service, and I promise to contribute my utmost at all times as we aim to collectively develop and promote the sport of weightlifting in Nigeria and beyond.”
Mr Iquaibom, a gold medallist at the 1983 Commonwealth Championship and former Chairman, Technical Commission, Nigeria Olympic Committee, will join Dr Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, who got re-elected unopposed for a second term as President, Zana Umara – member, Senator Hussaini Babangida Uba – member, Ibeh Luke Onwumere – member, and Lasisi Kazeem Aderemi – member.
Others are, Onubaye Sefiya – Technical Representative, Osijo Taiwo – Athlete Representative, Sir Chimdi Ejiogu Obioma – International Representative, Innocent Nwankwo – Military/Paramilitary Representative, Dr Steve Olarinoye – NAPHER SD, and Alhaja Omolola Tijani – NAWIS.
All elected executive officers will be sworn into office for a four-year term at a ceremony to be organised by the National Sports Commission, NSC, in the coming days.
